@Margaret – Ouch…would you go back there? I heard from a renter who spent her whole week trying to avoid the owner who came across every time they set foot on the deck. She would bring her coffee, sit down and not budge until they told her they were going out. They felt too uncomfortable to ask her not to keep dropping in, and ended up eating inside instead of enjoying the deck and the great views. Sad.

@Margaret – Like your charter – I’d like to write a post on that. Can I quote it?

We once stayed in an apartment which was managed by an expat Brit. Every day of our stay, he texted or emailed me in the morning asking what we had planned and offering help (he was in a neighbouring village). I told him each time that we had our day planned. We are experienced travellers and knew what we wanted to do. After we returned home, he emailed me about our stay used the word ‘upset’ 3 times in the email to describe his reaction to the fact that we did not take up his offers of advice on where to go. Whenever we think now how to handle guests, we remember that experience and take a step back.

We do notice though that the majority (not all) of our guests do not actually come on holiday to be alone and they actually welcome contact with us and other guests. But they are in the driving seat.

We agree to:Provide top quality accommodation in excellent condition and spotlessly clean for arrival from 15.00 on the day of arrival.
Provide beds made up and towels in the bathroom(s). If your stay is 7 days or longer, towels will be changed part way through your stay.
Clean the apartment at the end of your stay.
Provide a welcome pack which includes enough for your first breakfast (details in your booking confirmation).
Pay the local tourist tax on your behalf.
Provide tourist and activity information in English.
You agree to:Treat the apartment and its contents with care.
Leave the apartment in good order by 10.00 on the day of departure unless a late departure has been agreed in advance, with the washing up done.
Not smoke in the house or gardens.
Not bring animals to the property.
Sort all of your rubbish for recycling during and at the end of your stay.
Be careful with use of energy by not leaving lights on in rooms/areas not being used and not opening windows without turning off the radiators first.

Interesting one that – I think there is a question of degree here. When we are around I do like to call in as I believe it shows we care. OTOH I am as careful as can be not to intrude. I do think that guests appreciate SOME attention.

I couldn’t edit your post to include your URL so here it is:

Jane’s site at http://www.yourholidaymatters.com is a unique listing site that is solely for owners who care about their guests and manage their properties to a stringent set of standards. I’m hoping to interview Jane for a post about YHM very soon.

It dismays me that owners, who must surely have been on the receiving end of disapointment at lest once when renting a holiday home, could happily go on to dish out the same careless treatment to others.