Is a self-catering holiday just around the corner? We answer the most important questions about your getaway in a holiday home or holiday apartment. What should you keep in mind when planning, preparing for your trip, during your stay, and all the way through until check-out? Here are our top tips for your time spent in a holiday home!
Staying in a Holiday Home: The Advantages
Choosing to stay in a holiday apartment or holiday home is an increasingly popular way to go nowadays.
The advantages of a self-catering holiday are very clear:
- Maximum independence
- Flexibility when it comes to meal planning
- Personal privacy
- Plenty of space.
These freedoms start with breakfast in your pajamas, while those cozy game nights enjoyed together around the big dining table or soaking in your own private hot tub are likewise only a part of the story. Everyone also has the space they crave to retreat every now and then – something that can be tricky in a hotel room. Kids get to be a bit louder, too, and your schedule and your daily rhythms are totally up to you.
In short: A holiday, especially with children, doesn’t get much freer or more relaxed than this. Find out what to bear in mind as you browse a few of our pointers for a successful stay in a holiday home.
Is a holiday in a holiday home or holiday apartment cheaper than a hotel?
For larger families, groups, and longer stays, a holiday in a holiday apartment often equates to money savings as well. You only pay for the services you actually use. Furthermore, one of the biggest cost-saving factors is the opportunity to cook for yourself.
Be sure to verify which additional costs apply when booking your holiday home and which services are included in the price (final cleaning, bed linens, towels, local taxes, Wi-Fi, parking fees, electricity, water, heating). Of course, prices for holiday homes and holiday apartments vary depending on amenities and location.
Tip #1: Planning – How to find the holiday home that’s right for you
How to find the perfect holiday home-away-from-home.
Step one: Think about what your ideal holiday apartment should offer. Are you traveling with children, friends, your partner, or even your sports club? Or, will you be enjoying a holiday with your dog?
The selection of holiday homes and holiday apartments is immense – with something for every taste. Some dream of a chalet with a hot tub, while others want to step out of their front door and straight onto the ski slopes. Location is everything: Do you prefer peace and seclusion, or do you want to be right in the middle of the action?
If you're traveling with kids, it’s worth looking for nearby attractions, activities, and play areas. Your dog will appreciate having hiking trails right outside your holiday home for those regular “walkies”.
What amenities do you want in your holiday home?
- One of the most important criteria is the size of your accommodations: How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? Is there a spacious living and dining area for the whole family or all your friends?
- At ALPS RESORTS holiday homes and holiday apartments, a fully equipped kitchen – including cookware, cutlery, dishes, and often even an oven and dishwasher – is standard.
- Would you like to have breakfast on the balcony or enjoy a sundowner on the terrace?
- Is there a playground on-site or nearby?
- Do your “musts” include a (private) wellness area with a sauna, hot tub, or even a pool?
- Is a restaurant around the corner or even on the grounds of your holiday resort important to you?
- For longer stays, having a washing machine can be really useful.
Bottom line: The clearer you are about your priorities, the smoother the search for your accommodations – and the more relaxing your stay in a holiday apartment will be. It’s also helpful to browse reviews on well-known online platforms: How satisfied were other guests with these holiday accommodations? What did they love about the place as well as the surrounding region?
Playing It Safe: Cancelation Policies and Travel Cancelation Insurance
Check the cancelation conditions for your holiday home or holiday apartment carefully. Travel cancelation insurance provides you with a safety net in case unexpected events disrupt your plans. With a travel cancelation policy, you are protected from financial losses, allowing you to plan with greater peace of mind. This investment is especially worthwhile when it comes to expensive trips or long-term bookings.
Expert Tip about Holiday Homes: Guest Cards
If a summer card or guest card is included in the cost of your booking, you can take full advantage of some major savings. A guest card offers numerous benefits and grants access to regional discounts, such as free or reduced admission to attractions, discounts on activities like summer cable cars and public transport, and special offers at local partner businesses. With a guest card or summer card, your getaway becomes even more comfortable and convenient, filled with all kinds of unforgettable experiences – plus, your holiday expenses are far more predictable!
Examples of premium summer cards: * Schladming Dachstein Sommercard * Joker Card in Saalbach-Hinterglemm * +CARD holiday in the Nassfeld-Pressegger See region
* Nationalpark Sommercard in Hohe Tauern National Park Holiday Region * Super.Sommer.Card in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis.
Tip #2: Preparation – What should I bring with me?
Admittedly – there’s no full-service treatment in a holiday home. You’ll have to take care of your morning boiled egg and cappuccino yourself – whether served in bed or at 11:30 AM is entirely up to you. Families with children and people with food intolerances, in particular, really appreciate the complete flexibility of self-catering in a holiday apartment.
In our blog post “Quick and easy recipe ideas for your holiday apartment,” we show you which essential groceries belong in the pantry of every self-catering holiday pantry. You'll also find inspiration for simple recipes to enjoy during your stay.
Packing is child’s play thanks to the ALPS RESORTS holiday apartment checklist. Questions like “Are towels and bed linens provided?” are covered here. Had you given some thought to slippers, a bathrobe, or board games?
As you prepare for your stay in a holiday home, our FAQs are worth their weight in gold: Take a look and learn from the questions asked by other holidaymakers! In the Category Descriptions of our ALPS RESORTS accommodations, all amenities (including toaster, dishwasher, refrigerator etc.) will be listed in detail.
Still have a question? Or maybe two? Our on-site reception teams are available and happy to assist. You can find information to make direct contact with your chosen ALPS RESORTS location under "Contact & Arrival" on that resort’s website.
Tip #3: Arrival, Check-in, and Key Handover
Save the resort’s contact details (phone number and address) on your mobile phone before you travel. In that way, you will be able to inform the reception team if your arrival is delayed, moved forward, or if you have an urgent question. Check the reception’s opening hours and the designated check-in times.
At ALPS RESORTS, you will find this information in your booking confirmation and the arrival email, which you will receive a few days before your trip is due to begin. Expect to arrive outside of usual reception hours? Let the team on-site know in advance and arrange a simple (contactless) way to hand over the keys.
Expert Tip: Smooth Check-ins at Your Holiday Home
Submit your details (names and birthdates of all travelers, addresses) before your arrival or take advantage of online check-in if available. In this way, you will be able to skip filling out the registration form upon arrival and move into your holiday apartment without any unnecessary delay.
Why do i need to pay a security deposit for my stay at a holiday home?
A security deposit is required for a holiday home so as to protect the host against possible damages or the need for excessive cleaning. It serves as financial security in case any furnishings are damaged, keys are lost, or additional cleaning is necessary. The deposit safeguards both parties – the guest and the provider.
You will be required to pay the deposit by check-in at the latest. In most cases, the amount of the deposit is temporarily blocked on your credit card, and you will receive information to that effect during the booking process. If you return the holiday apartment undamaged and in good condition, the full deposit will then be released by the accommodation provider.
Tip #4: Your Stay in Your Holiday Home
House Rules for Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes
Finally! You’ve arrived at your holiday accommodations, so now it’s time to make yourself comfortable and get settled in. And there’s definitely no shortage of space to do just that. 😉 A holiday in a holiday home is much like private living. To ensure that these accommodations remain in top condition for years to come – and that future guests can continue to enjoy them – there are just a few things you will need to keep in mind.
House Rules: The house rules outline responsible use of the accommodations and ensure a harmonious stay for everyone. Topics such as fire safety, liability, procedures in case of damage, pool regulations, quiet hours, and use of communal areas are all included.
These rules protect the interests of the host, your fellow guests, and the neighborhood. As a helpful guideline, they prevent misunderstandings and ensure a pleasant stay for all.
Reception:At ALPS RESORTS, reception staff are available on-site or by phone to assist you. They can answer any questions about excursions in the region, the resort itself, and your holiday apartment’s amenities. Need restaurant recommendations or insider tips on activities? The reception team is more than happy to help – making your independent holiday more stress-free and enjoyable than you could possibly imagine!
Tip #5: Check-out and Departure
What state do I need to leave my apartment in?
Final Cleaning: Unlike hotel rooms, holiday apartments and holiday homes are not cleaned daily during your stay. (In some resorts, an interim cleaning service may be available upon request for an additional fee.) That said, you are personally responsible for keeping your accommodations clean during your stay.
After your departure, a final cleaning is carried out by the provider to prepare the holiday apartment for incoming guests. The cost to cover this cleaning is mandatory and is usually listed in the booking details.
Before bidding adieu to your holiday accommodations and heading home, please keep these points in mind:
- Trash: Please separate and dispose of your waste properly. Your host will appreciate your efforts – and more importantly, so will the environment!
- Cleanliness: The dishwasher should be emptied, dishes dried and returned to the cabinets, and the accommodations should be left in a tidy (broom-clean) state.
- Broom-Clean? This means sweeping the floors, removing any major dirt, and ensuring that no food, toiletries, or other personal items are left behind. You do not need to strip the beds, but housekeeping staff will certainly appreciate the extra helping hand!
Once your accommodations have been inspected and deemed in good condition, your deposit will be released in full.
At ALPS RESORTS, as we mentioned earlier, our reception teams are always on hand to assist with your holiday planning from A to Z. We look forward to welcoming you and wish you a fantastic self-catering holiday with us – “My way of holiday” indeed.
© ALPS RESORTS
Verena J.
E-Commerce Specialist at ALPS RESORTS
Millennial with a passion for solitary mountains and compelling stories, always on the lookout for exciting destinations and experiences.
Would you like to learn more about ALPS RESORTS? Feel free to use our contact form or submit a non-binding inquiry.