Words by Jamie Crocker
With over 50 years of experience, John Bray Cornish Holidays look after more than 250 of north Cornwall’s finest holiday homes.
Operating from Rock and Port Isaac, their dedicated team offers bespoke management solutions from Polzeath and Daymer Bay to Padstow and beyond. Backed by the national reach and marketing power of Sykes Cottages, they provide holiday homeowners with expert care and year-round bookings.
Despite a challenging economic climate, 2024 has been an excellent year for the agency, with a slight rise in bookings and increased weekly revenue per property. We sat down with the team at John Bray Cornish Holidays to talk about the latest trends and insights for holiday homeowners.
What are the top features holidaymakers look for when choosing a cottage?
Guests have a few key features in mind when picking their holiday cottage. The most searched-for amenities this year were a hot tub, WiFi, proximity to a pub, a garden and a swimming pool. While not all properties can have a hot tub or a pool, making the most of outdoor space is essential. For dog-friendly homes, we recommend secure, fenced gardens. And if you don’t have WiFi, adding it can significantly enhance your guests’ experience and your booking potential.
How can property owners enhance the curb appeal of their holiday cottage? What specific amenities do guests find most appealing in a holiday rental?
For those looking to provide luxurious accommodation that guests will return to year after year, our message would be to offer accommodation that is both as inclusive and as flexible as possible.
With a 60% rise in searches for pet-friendly holidays since 2019, allowing pets can significantly increase bookings, especially in shoulder months. Pet-friendly properties earn an average of four extra bookings and 18% more revenue annually.
Simple adjustments – like dog beds, treats, and enclosed gardens – make all the difference.
A great example is Megizzy, a stunning holiday home overlooking Polzeath Beach that welcomes two dogs. It had 21 bookings in 2024, with 13 already confirmed for 2025. The Farmhouse within the Helland Barton Farm collection is another property that is pet-friendly, welcoming two dogs, with ample space for them to roam… with a stream and lake on the doorstep. The property achieved 32 bookings in 2024.
Spontaneous bookings are on the rise. Searches for “last-minute cottages in Cornwall” are up by 30%. Offering flexibility with last-minute stays can help boost income.
Long weekends are increasingly popular, with a 9% uplift in bookings for mini-breaks in 2024. Offering flexible three- or four-night stays can be highly profitable, often generating more than the typical weekly rental.
How important is interior design, and what trends are you seeing?
Interior design is very important in attracting bookings. Also, understanding who you will be accommodating at your property is imperative, so that you can style and furnish it accordingly. If you are unsure, try to provide the most flexibility possible. Offering zip and link beds so that rooms can either be made up as twins or doubles, will attract a wider variety of customers – from groups or couples to large families with children. Good quality mattresses and also high thread count bed linen make all the difference to guest satisfaction, so spending on these things is worthwhile.
Increasingly, conscientious owners are moving towards more sustainable interior design options, to make their property more eco-friendly and to appeal to guests who actively look for properties that are kinder to the environment. Buying your soft furnishings locally, from a trusted independent retailer, like Cornish family-run business Julian Foye, is advisable. But more than just choosing local, eco-conscious brands, it’s about choosing long-lasting, durable products that are made from sustainable textiles and fabrics like cotton and hemp, or even made from recycled fibres.
There are plenty of other ways to be sustainable when choosing your interior styling too. For instance, making the most of natural light through the careful positioning of furniture will save on having to use artificial lighting. Also, consider purchasing indoor plants to purify the air and add more character to your rooms.
Across the Sykes Cottages portfolio, around 1,000 properties now boast an EV charging point. This is now a highly sought-after amenity, with research showing that 27% of owners plan to add new sustainable features to their current holiday home over the next few years – including electric vehicle charging points, heat pumps or solar panels. So-called ‘eco-tourism’ is growing in popularity, with discerning guests looking for environmentally friendly accommodation to suit their needs. As part of a B Corp organisation, we actively encourage owners to take steps to minimise the impact of their property on the environment; it’s not only beneficial to the planet but in terms of customer appeal too.
How can owners prepare their cottages for different seasons?
To maintain your property year-round, it’s crucial to provide practical spaces like boot rooms or storage areas for wet weather gear and beach equipment. Properties like Megizzy go further by offering wet rooms and elevated dog showers, catering to guests’ needs whether they’re returning from a winter walk or a summer day at the beach.
What maintenance tips would you offer to keep properties in top shape?
Regular deep cleans, beyond the standard changeovers, help maintain high standards. Spring cleaning is especially important to prepare for the busy summer season.
Don’t neglect the exterior – first impressions count! Ensure the property is tidy, paths and steps are swept and outdoor lighting is in working order. Investing in durable, high-quality furnishings that can withstand the wear and tear of frequent bookings is crucial.
Finally, it’s always a good idea to spend a night in your property to identify any missing essentials or minor issues.
How should owners approach pricing to maximise bookings?
Pricing can make or break your property’s booking potential. We would always suggest seeking professional advice when it comes to pricing your property correctly. Our dynamic pricing system allows us to adjust rates based on demand, ensuring optimal bookings throughout the year.
How can effective marketing reach the right audience?
At John Bray Cornish Holidays, we leverage the resources of our parent company, Sykes Cottages, to ensure maximum visibility for your property. We work with over 500 partners, including Booking.com, Airbnb and VRBO, to reach the widest possible audience. Our team also ensures your property ranks highly in search results, both nationally through Sykes Cottages and locally via the John Bray Cornish Holidays website.
How can owners create a welcoming atmosphere for guests?
Welcome gifts can leave a lasting impression. A simple gesture like tea and coffee or a hamper of local goodies often leads to glowing reviews and repeat bookings. For owners who aren’t local, we can arrange these details on your behalf, ensuring guests feel right at home.
What advice would you give to new property owners entering the holiday rental market?
Choosing the right agent is key. With John Bray Cornish Holidays, the process is seamless. Once we’ve helped you set the pricing and provided professional photos, your property will be introduced to millions of potential customers. We handle the day-to-day management, allowing you to relax while we take care of everything.
What property management services do you offer?
We offer a range of management services, from guest support and maintenance to linen hire and 24-hour call-out services. Our tailored approach means you can be as hands-on or hands-off as you prefer.
If you own a holiday home in North Cornwall and want to learn more about holiday letting with John Bray Cornish Holidays, our dedicated team is here to help.
