{"id":222,"date":"2019-02-14T10:59:04","date_gmt":"2019-02-14T10:59:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.helpfulholidays.co.uk\/blog\/?p=222"},"modified":"2026-02-25T12:43:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T12:43:36","slug":"visitors-books-in-holiday-cottages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.helpfulholidays.co.uk\/blog\/visitors-books-in-holiday-cottages\/","title":{"rendered":"Visitors’ Books in Holiday Cottages"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Is it good practice to provide a visitors’ book for guests or does it invite negative comments?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Let’s ask the experts at Helpful Holidays for their thoughts on visitors books in holiday cottages. Read on to find out more…<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Guest<\/a><\/p>\n

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Q. We are uncertain whether it\u2019s wise to provide a visitors\u2019 book in our holiday cottage. We\u2019ve heard it can encourage guests to record negative comments about minor maintenance issues which might damage our reputation. What do you think?<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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A. The Helpful Holidays Team say:<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Our recommendation is to always provide a visitors\u2019 book.<\/strong> At the very least, a visitors\u2019 book makes interesting reading, and usually, it\u2019s an invaluable, ongoing conversation between visitors, listing good things to do and see, places to go and great places to eat \u2013 a brilliant source of local information, and often entertaining too. We also find they\u2019re usually full of praise and enthusiasm for the holiday home which is a lovely reward for you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some guests like to write at length, so a generous size (perhaps A4 hardback) is good, and perhaps consider providing another book for children in which they can create a picture or poem or just leave a few words of their own.<\/p>\n

To avoid the book being used to communicate problems, it\u2019s worthwhile to provide a separate notebook in which guests can report any maintenance issues they come across, items they wished had been provided or minor breakages. This is a helpful record for you or your caretaker on changeover day. If visitors do make negative comments in the visitors\u2019 book, you should ensure you address the issues and write a reply to show you\u2019ve taken immediate action.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Let your cottage<\/h2>\n

If you have a property you are considering letting as a holiday cottage, then please complete the form below<\/strong>. Our team will be in touch to answer any questions, and you’ll receive a copy of our FREE Owner Guide<\/strong>.<\/p>\n