Words by Jamie Crocker
From the humble shepherd hut to the luxurious modern home, Cornwall and Devon Hideaway’s portfolio of unique escapes reel in the curious.
Cared for by a dedicated team who are available before and during your stay, these carefully selected properties attract couples seeking a short romantic break, as well as families enjoying their annual holiday with their canine companion. We engage with them to discover more.
What are some of the unique or luxury amenities that set your holiday cottages and vacation homes apart from more typical rental properties in your respective regions?
From cosy country cottages, shepherd huts and lighthouse retreats to luxurious modern holiday homes, Cornwall and Devon Hideaways offer a wide selection of holiday cottages to make your next visit to the southwest extra special. Whether planning a romantic getaway, a family holiday, or a break with friends, we have the perfect holiday cottage ready and waiting.
We have various properties that offer remarkable amenities, such as yoga studios, heated swimming pools, cosy reading nooks, high-speed Wi-Fi with home offices for those needing to work away from home, wood-fired hot tubs and even a complimentary home-cooked fish pie upon arrival!
How do you ensure a consistently high level of quality and service across your portfolio of properties? What are some of the key standards or processes you have in place?
With an extensive portfolio, a reputation for quality and a local team of knowledgeable staff, we are known for the professional, personal and friendly service we provide to both our guests and valued homeowners.
We take great pride in the quality of the accommodation on offer, believing that maintaining a consistent standard of excellence is crucial. To achieve this, we conduct frequent property inspections, working closely with our housekeeping team. We understand that unexpected issues can arise, which is why we have an in-house maintenance team and trusted contractors available to resolve any problems very quickly with 24/7 emergency support.
We have partnered with Feefo, a trusted and authentic review platform that provides 100% verified customer reviews and feedback. With Feefo, we receive more than just star ratings; we gain valuable insights into what truly matters to our guests, along with helpful feedback that can improve the quality of our properties and the services we offer.
Can you share some insights into the most popular or sought-after types of properties or locations within Cornwall and Devon? What attracts guests to book with your companies?
One of the most popular holiday requests we receive is for properties located within walking distance of the beach or coastline, which is something we can most certainly and easily provide. Alternatively, we also often hear guests wanting to escape the hustle and bustle and much of our portfolio is also made up of quiet countryside retreats. Many of our guests are simply looking for a home away from home. They want a well-equipped holiday home that caters to all occasions and offers the luxury of high-end amenities.
Our dedicated, locally based teams in both Cornwall and Devon possess extensive knowledge not only about our properties but also what’s on offer in the surrounding areas. Whether you’re looking for exciting activities to experience or delightful restaurants to satisfy your palate, they are here to help.
How do you work to make the booking and check-in/check-out process as seamless and stress-free as possible for your guests?
We provide our guests with detailed arrival information before their holiday begins. This information includes how to access the property, along with full directions from the nearest major dual-carriageway or motorway. Additionally, we share what they can expect to find in their locally sourced hamper upon arrival and information on the amenities their property provides.
Upon checking into their holiday home, guests will also find a personalised property information folder. This folder contains essential details about the holiday home, including processes they might need to know when departing at the end of their stay. Additionally, it provides information about the surrounding areas, as well as our contact details and contact information for local doctor surgeries, veterinary clinics, taxis, restaurants and much more.
What special touches or personalised services do you offer to elevate the overall guest experience?
We have partnered with local businesses to provide our guests with exclusive discounts and rewards for their holidays in Cornwall and Devon. Our Guest Rewards are specially designed to enhance their experience, and guests will receive up-to-date vouchers through email one week before they arrive at their holiday home. On our websites, you can find our exclusive local guide, which features a variety of events, activities, and popular spots for our guests to explore during their stay.
In what ways do you cater to the needs of your most discerning, high-end clientele? Can you provide any examples of bespoke experiences you’ve arranged?
We love celebrating special occasions just as much as our guests do! We’ve worked with guests to arrange surprise decorations for significant birthday celebrations and we have collaborated with event planners to create memorable experiences for engagements, mini-moons and anniversary trips. Additionally, we have organised portable hot tubs and saunas to provide an additional luxury during their stay. Our team is always available to coordinate and offer any service requested by our guests.
We can also assist guests in arranging various additional services, including private chefs, surf lessons along the beautiful coast and premium mobile wellness services directly to the comfort of their holiday home. Additionally, guests can enjoy discounted rates for these services through our Guest Rewards programme.
How has the demand for luxury holiday rentals in Cornwall and Devon evolved over the past 3-5 years? What are some of the key trends you’re observing?
Our guests seek the best value for their money. When booking a luxury property in Cornwall or Devon, they look for additional amenities like outdoor kitchens and pizza ovens, home cinemas, high-quality coffee machines and the convenience of charging their electric cars on-site.
They want to explore a variety of properties, such as luxury treehouses embedded in nature, an historic manor house for a family celebration, or a cosy cottage along the South West Coast Path with stunning sea views that extend as far as the eye can see.
What role does sustainability and environmental consciousness play in how you operate and market your properties?
We are very proud supporters of Wildlife Trust all around the United Kingdom and our teams are very pleased to be a Gold Member of the Wilder Business Network. We recognise the invaluable work the Wildlife Trust does to protect wildlife and wild places, so they can be enjoyed for many years to come.
We partner with sustainable waste collection services across the counties, including a company called Cornwall Waste Care. Everything they collect from our properties is recycled: glass, tin, plastics, paper and cardboard as standard. Any other waste is burned at the Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre (CERC). The heat produced from the waste generates steam, which turns turbines to produce electricity that is traded to the National Grid.
From every ton of waste burned, one-quarter turns into ash. This ash is sifted to extract any metals, which are then recycled, while the remaining ash is used as a base aggregate for constructing new roads. Their goal is to recycle everything.
Can you give us a preview of any new or upcoming properties, amenities, or services you’re particularly excited about introducing?
Introducing new properties to our portfolio is always exciting, as each of our hideaways come with their own unique character and flair. Our most recent addition sits atop Mullion Cove, in an utterly desirable location. Henscath House warmly welcomes up to 10 guests, while also being dog-friendly. We are particularly excited about this addition as we feel it will be a real showstopper within our collection. Henscath’s location is utterly spellbinding, boasting dramatic views across rolling clifftops meeting the sea, which continues as far as the eye can see. Guests can soak up these blissful ocean vistas from the luxurious cedar hot tub, extensive sun terrace, pavilion seating area, or from their private balconies.
Offering five boutique bedrooms, all with their own balcony, five beautifully appointed bathrooms, two luxuriously cosy sitting rooms, a dining hall, a study and even a yoga studio, this exquisite family retreat ignites those much-anticipated get-togethers. That’s what makes Henscath House so special, it is where quality time with loved ones is promised and cherished family memories are bound to be made.
What are some of the top activities, attractions, or hidden gems that you recommend your guests experience during their stays in Cornwall and Devon?
The South West Coast Path is within walking distance of many of our properties, allowing our guests to explore the beautiful coastline of Cornwall and Devon. You can enjoy dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and dive into the area’s rich history without needing to use a car. This popular attraction is highly sought after by our guests, and we have dedicated pages on our website featuring all properties located near this stunning pathway.
Cornwall and Devon have a lively events calendar full of festivals for everyone, taking place throughout the year. Whether you love surfing, food, music, or even sea shanties, there is sure to be an event that appeals to you during your visit. One not to forget is Boardmasters Festival, held annually in August in Newquay. This festival celebrates surfing, skating, and music, all set against a stunning panoramic sea view. Another great option is Pigstock, north Devon’s friendliest family festival, which takes place in May.
Both Cornwall Hideaways and Devon Hideaways are part of the Hideaways Holidays Group Ltd which is dedicated to providing a wide range of top-quality self-catering accommodation across the UK. Variety and originality are at the heart of the Group, but so too are consistently high standards of comfort, service and value for money.
