Review of Sea Haze Cottage, Charlestown, Cornwall

Hello Everyone

I'm thrilled to share with you my personal review of Sea Haze Cottage and the pretty 18th Century Harbour Town of Charlestown, Cornwall.  Here's a little intro video from me, I apologise in advance as it sort of went on and on and on, but please scroll on if you are in danger of dropping off!!

Look out Charlestown here we come!

I booked to have a few days away in the wonderful little town of Charlestown with my husband and  our Granddog!, my daughter's 8 month old Border Terrier, Finn!  We booked last minute with Airbnb and were thrilled with the lovely 2 bedroom cottage we chose and we even had a beautiful sunny week which was very lucky for November.  

You can see all the places we visited further down.

Granddog Finn - all packed and ready to go!

Sea Haze Cottage, Charlestown, Cornwall

Sea Haze Cottage

As you enter the cottage, there is a bespoke country kitchen to the right which is fully equipped with literally everything you could possibly need to prepare a full banquet!  There are also many other thoughtful accessories, clingfilm, foil, kitchen roll, a small selection of herbs and spices.  An abundance of pots and pans and a great selection of china, cutlery and cooking utensils.  It was great to have a dishwasher and washing machine and plenty of cleaning products supplied.  Although there was a regular sized fridge there was not a freezer.  

Leaving the kitchen through the little hallway, there is a very sweet utility/cloakroom. I loved the vintage double sink in here and would love to have one of these in my own home. This little room was well stocked with an ironing board and iron, extra toilet rolls and cleaning products, dustpan and brush. Thoughtfully, there were also dog dishes and towels, I shall remember not to worry next time as on this occasion I had taken my own.  As regard to the stairs, the owners have provided bespoke, removable stair gates for both the top and the bottom, but it might also be noted that these are very steep stairs and extreme care should be taken when going up and especially coming down.

Upstairs there are two bedrooms and a family bathroom.  The main room has a double bed made up with crisp white linen and an amazingly comfortable mattress guaranteed to give you a wonderful nights sleep. A built in wardrobe with shelving, bedside tables and lamps and a wall mounted television.  I can personally recommend this lovely bed! 💤

The second bedroom is a twin, although this is a snug room the owners have not compromised the size and comfort of the beds, which in my opinion is the most important factor, so although I cannot personally say that these were fantastically comfortable to sleep on, I can say they certainly looked to be the same quality as the double next door.  It's also true to say that looking at comments from the guest book, people were extremely complimentary about the comfort of these beds, so I think it's 10/10 for this little room also.

Finally, you could say a bathroom is a bathroom and yes you would be right, however, a shower is definitely not a shower necessarily!!  This is a wonderful shower and it was hard to drag yourself out of it - I wasn't the only one to say so either, the guest book is full of shower comments!!

In the cottage guest book, I didn't find a single negative comment and I couldn't agree more, I was really impressed with how well presented Sea Haze Cottage was: 

Louise, November 2018

"We've stayed several times here now and just love it. Excellent location, charming bolthole and everything has been thought about to make your stay a great one. We will be back!"

 Jane, October 2018 

"Beautifully presented cottage in an almost near perfect village location. Lovely and clean, with some really quirky design features. Very helpful owners who communicate quickly and effectively. Would recommend to couples or a small family (2 children)."

 Katie, September 2018

"We loved our stay at Sea Gaze. It was the perfect cosy base for us to explore Cornwall. Location is spot on - really close to some lovely nearby coffee shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs and of course right on the harbour. We were lucky enough to catch Poldark being filmed whilst we were there! I’d 100% recommend this lovely cottage. Thank you Sarita! We’re now planning our next visit!"

What does Charlestown have to offer?

Poldark.  You'll all remember the iconic opening scenes of the Poldark series:

Charlestown is notably famed for its collection of Tall Ships and relatively unchanged, traditional appearance and has been a popular choice for many location managers.  During the filming of Poldark, Charlestown stood in for Cornwall’s city of Truro.  This original Grade II Listed harbour was the perfect backdrop for Winston Graham's (Poldark's Author) 18th Century setting.

Filming Poldark

The Shipwreck and Heritage Centre sits at the side of the harbour and commemorates all the achievements and heartaches of this unique 18th Century town.

"The historical artefacts in the Shipwreck Centre are the largest private collection of this type on public display in Europe.
​
Brought together over the last 45 to 50 years, it forms the basis of one of the most unusual and interesting collections open to the public.​

There are nearly 8,000 artefacts from over 150 shipwrecks.  These rare artefacts bring stories of the sea to life with rich tales of triumph, treasure and tragedy.

The exhibition offers a fascinating insight into the whole story of shipwrecks. There are an estimated one quarter of a million wrecks around the coast of Britain alone.
​

The displays are enormously varied, ranging from World War II exhibits, 400 year old cannon, coins, Nanking porcelain to items from the Medina, Invincible and the entire collection of recovered artefacts from the tragic warship Ramillies sunk in 1763.  There is also an extensive RMS Titanic display - CTP Richard Hook BEM of Titanic Research, Portsmouth, has said that "this is an excellent display and well worth visiting"."

Charlestown Harbour

Looking through the Harbour Wall to the Beach

Eating Out:

You are certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out in Charlestown, here are a few choices I am happy to recommend but would love to hear of others that you may have experienced.

The Pier House Hotel - Click to view the menu here.

In their own words:

"Renowned for its high-quality menu and with stunning views of Charlestown’s harbour, The Pier House serves fresh, locally sourced produce and award winning ales within a relaxed dining environment. The traditional decor is warmly elegant with quirky maritime touches and there are lovely harbour and coastal views. The dining area opens out to the sea facing terrace which offers the perfect spot for drinking and dining alfresco. With two real log fires and cosy nooks you can sit back, relax and enjoy delicious food, local ales, fine wines and endless sea views." (The Pier House Hotel Website)

 The Long Store - Click to view the menu here.

In their own words:

Wreckers - Click to view menu here.

In their own words:

"Wreckers is all about the freshest Seafood and local Foods set in a quirky old Boat House with a crooked roof overlooking Charlestown Harbour Tall Ships where they film Poldark and with a stunning Terrace with unrivalled sea views. Just five minutes from St Austell centre you can enjoy a waterside lunch including fresh baked Pasties, our famous Fish and Chips, Dirty Burgers, Moules Frites, Fresh Crab and Cornish Cheeses.

Alternatively, choose from a selection of sumptuous sandwiches ideal for a quick lunch or a lazy afternoon enjoying the Tall Ships while sipping a glass of Chilled wine on the Terrace. We serve Breakfast, Lunch, Cream Teas with our legendary Scones, Cornish Coffee and Cakes all day until 5pm. Or, later on, enjoy a wonderful fresh Fish supper under the heated and lit canopy on the terrace or in the warm ambience of the old boat shed.

From 5 pm we offer our evening specials from the Catch of the Day, Oysters and Mussels from the beds you can see from the Terrace are always on the menu and Crab and Lobster when in Season. We use Kittows Butchers for our meat and Burgers and our Fish is landed often just a few yards away. We are open daily from 10 am, we are fully accessible and we love parties and weddings." (Wreckers)

Charlie's Boathouse - Click to view menu here:

In their own words:

"Relax and enjoy the picturesque views of Charlestown from our comfy sofas or hang out at the bar, we have something for everyone, day or night..

Charlie's Boathouse is an intimate and bustling family-run restaurant situated in the heart of Charlestown; a charming fishing village tucked away between Carlyon Bay and Porthpean.

We are open all day for breakfast and dinner. You can come for coffee and cake any time of day, or maybe a glass of Prosecco with your eggs Benedict!

Our Decking and garden is beautiful in the summer with views that look out to sea.

Sean Hewitt is our residant Artist. His paintings bring life and colour to our walls. You can buy them from us or find him on his website."  (Boathouse Website)

Rashleigh Arms - Click to view menu here.

In their own words:

"Our comfortable coastal inn in Charlestown was recently voted best managed pub in the UK. Offering fresh, wholesome pub food that is locally sourced and seasonal, we have a children’s menu and we’re dog friendly too, making us ideal for all the family!

Our modern and open plan restaurant has a patio and garden area for finer weather. Whether a light bite, signature dish or one of our daily changing specials, our homemade pub food is sure to hit the spot!

Voted Best Managed Pub in the UK, The Rashleigh is our award winning bed and breakfast situated in the famous fishing village of Charlestown, the set of many famous films and television appearances including Cornish favourite, Poldark.

Our 18 room accommodation offers stylish yet characterful bedrooms and fresh, locally sourced cuisine for the perfect place to eat in historic Charlestown overlooking the harbour. Fresh food, fine ales and a warm welcome await at The Rashleigh Arms, Charlestown!" (Rashleigh Arms Website)

There are so many places to visit and walk in Cornwall, Charlestown certainly makes a brilliant base in which to explore and enjoy this amazing part of the the British Isles, here's just a couple of the places we were able to fit in to our short visit:

Coastal Walk from Charlestown to Mevagissey

If you start from the Pier House Hotel and take the coastal path you can walk all the way to Mevagissey travelling through Porthpean Beach, Trenarren and Pentewan.  It is a really fantastic walk with stunning views and as long as you take plenty of supplies and good walking boots, it's definitely worth while.  Here's a few snaps of our walk:

Botallack and Levant Mines, St Just
A trip to the mines at Botallack and Levant is a must, you will enjoy the rugged, breathtaking views while walking from one mine to the other along the coastline.  I have done this a number of times and never get bored of re-visiting.  The mines are part of the National Trust and there is an on-going programme of safety, access and conservation works.  Refreshments and facilities are available.  There is a vast amount of history to take in and it is very well done providing an informative and incredibly moving visit.  The link to the Botallack Trail is here:

I hope you have enjoyed the blog and have found it useful.  I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Sea Haze Cottage, Charlestown so would definitely recommend it.  I will definitely be returning again soon.

Take care.
Nicky :)

My 5 Top Tips To Ensure A Successful Holiday Home Changeover!

The Dreaded Changeover!

The changeover process between guests can be the most stressful and hectic time for any holiday home owner. I have done many myself over the years and have concluded that a time rehearsed, full-proof system is the only way to guarantee that all is perfect for the new guests arriving. I have listed below some helpful tips that I hope you will find useful in helping to perfect your changeover.

1. Preparation

It really is essential to make sure that you are completely prepared to begin working as soon as you set foot into the property. Nothing wastes more time than aimlessly walking round collecting items that weren’t thought of prior to beginning the changeover. Prepare your own personal Changeover Kit containing all your fresh linen, cleaning products (making sure they are topped up and will not run out mid-way through), cloths and equipment and put them all together in a holdall, large container or trolley – basically whatever works for you. Your changeover kit should contain all the replenishment items that will need checking and replacing during the changeover.

2. Organisation

An organised, methodical approach to the changeover will ensure that everything is completed within the time available and to the highest standard. Working to a Schedule of Tasks is a great way of eliminating the worry of mistakes. The schedule needs to be put in priority order and timed, which will help maximise the quality and efficiency of each changeover. In my experience, by sticking to a strict routine you will not only get faster and more efficient at working your way through the list, there will be less chance of leaving things out or forgetting anything.

Please feel free to download the Schedule of Tasks.

3. Inventory

As a guest, there is nothing more frustrating than not having everything you need when cooking or enjoying your time in the accommodation. Over the years I have used several routines to quickly help me know if there are items missing. If your accommodation caters for 4 people then as a rule I would suggest providing enough cutlery and china for 6 people and so on. A comprehensive list will help you to quickly check and count all kitchen items to ensure nothing is missing or broken.

Please feel free to download the Inventory List.

4. Use your Senses

A guest will very often decide what their opinion is of your accommodation within the first few minutes of entering it. How the property smells when walking through that door is possibly the most crucial point to remember. Creating the right ambiance is essential to creating a perfect first impression. Literally using your 5 senses can help you to judge if you have got it right. Can you answer yes to the following?

Does your accommodation ....

i. Smell fresh and aired?

ii. Look pristine and smart?

iii. Feel clean, are all surfaces polished and sparkling?

iv. Provide a peaceful and relaxing space?

v. Provide at least a basic welcome pack?

Once you have put all your effort into cleaning and refreshing the accommodation, it is essential that you dress and finish it in a manner that showcases all your efforts. Always aiming for that ‘wow factor’ when the new guests arrive is the ultimate goal. Attention to detail and providing the extra little finishing touches can make all the difference and need to become part of the changeover routine. Most of these finishing touches can be prepared in advance and should only take a few minutes at the end.

Please feel free to download the Finishing Touches List.

5. The Welcome

There is a certain amount of preparation needed for welcoming each guest that stays in your property. If you are unable to personally welcome guests it is essential that simple instructions are provided to make the arrival as easy and problem-free as possible. These instructions should be sent to the guest in advance providing contact information should they have any problems. Familiarise yourself with who is staying each time and what their individual requirements are. For example, if they have children maybe additional items such as highchairs, stairgates and a few toys will be needed. If your property allows dogs then some old towels for wet paws and a bowl of water are nice touches to help make all members of the family feel welcome! A book/folder containing all necessary information on how to use equipment, where the nearest amenities are and Emergency contact details in case of accidents or medical needs.

Photo Courtesy: Candlelight Cottage 

I believe that there should be at the very least, a basic welcome pack waiting for your guests when they arrive. Providing the essentials to make a cup of tea and possibly a piece of cake or a biscuit will always help to make your guests feel welcome. I will cover this subject in more detail in my next blog.

Please feel free to download the Guest Information Form.

It would be great to hear any of your suggestions and ideas that you think help to keep you on track when going through your changeover's. Please leave me a comment.

Take care.

Nicky :)

Nurturing Boutique Hospitality Businesses Through Their Online Presence

Do you run your own Holiday Rental Property, B&B, Small Boutique Hotel or have just made the decision to set up or purchase a business?

I AM HERE TO HELP YOU manage and grow your business and improve your online presence. By choosing one of my bespoke Virtual Service Packages you would be taking the first step towards achieving the full potential of your business by transforming your online operations and maximising bookings. 

Allow me to really get to know you and your business and relieve you of the pressures of managing:

Newsletters 

Social Media

Blogging

Booking Systems

Guest Retention

Reviews Management

Increase traffic to your own dedicated Website and Social Media, improve your Online Review Scheduling and Bookings Management to create savings and allow you to take control of your business. You could ultimately achieve Listings Independence and eliminate commission payments to outside agencies.

Starting out in this fantastic industry can seem daunting to the new business owner or just overwhelming to those of you already up and running. 

Ultimately your priority should be offering guests a First-Class Experience, during their stay. By allowing me to support your online operations, you are free to ensure all those important details are covered.

Any questions or worries that crop up along the way, no matter how insignificant they might seem, give me a call. It's the personal touches, attention to detail and going the extra mile, that make all the difference when it comes to retaining guests and building up recommendations for your business. 

Please feel welcome to contact me at any time:
www.iam-virtualsupport.com

info@iam-virtualsupport.com

07984527338

It would be lovely to have your thoughts and views on the packages and services being offered.  If you are a holiday home owner I would love to hear from you.

Take care.

Nicky :)