Gower holiday cottage owner credits Airbnb & excellent reviews for increase in bookings

Gower property owner Jon Dickson says he has been pleasantly surprised by an upsurge in bookings this year since listing their popular holiday cottages on private rentals site AirBnB.

Hael Farm Cottages, which boasts holiday cottages at Port Eynon and Southgate, are already listed with a number of accommodation providers, and since running the 5 star cottages for more than 10 years, this is proving to be the Dickson’s most successful year so far.

Jon explains:

“While we have always been on the web, we held off on AirBnB because it all sounded so modern and we have always liked to communicate in person with our guests.  Many of them have been coming to stay for years now, and we’d like to think they have become our friends.  We send many of them Christmas cards and we’re always impressed by how many of them have taken time to leave us 5 star reviews on sites across the web.  

“However, like most other holiday lets, we have often struggled with off-season bookings, finding ourselves hugely in demand for bank holidays and peak summer months but then quiet at other times. 

“Gower is really beautiful at all times of the year, and actually coming off-Peak means you can avoid the crowds at many Gower beauty spots.  We love living here, and it really is a delight to share the best places with our guests.

“AirBnB has worked really well for us, helping us fill off-season gaps – and we’re already very busy for much of the summer.  We do still have some spaces available – but they are filling up fast – and just like our normal guests, we’re already finding new friends among the AirBnB clients.  It’s fair to say we’ve been very pleasantly surprised – and the extra reviews on a new platform are so kind.”

Jon, who runs the business with wife Julie, say they expect this year to be the best so far.

To find out more about Hael Farm Cottages, visit the company website: http://www.haelfarmcottages.co.uk/