2 sets of guests GG and then she moved it to the casita when she started to rent that out in October (when they move back into the big house) - so not sure how it went down with the 'couples' market, I've not seen them for a few weeks.
I agree tho' - from a welcome pack perspective I'd be more delighted with local produce (or home made & home grown as in Enid's case) than shop bought...I think it gives a more personal touch. It's like inviting guests to feel free to pick our lemons and oranges and help themselves to our herb garden.
They enthuse about the home made jam - I had an Australian group in their twenties and they ate the whole pot of jam with a couple of baguettes the afternoon they arrived!
I wonder if your friend didn't make it clear enough that it was a gift and the guests' were worried about hidden charges? It does seem odd that two sets of guests in a row rejected it.
I am planning to provide a little combination of local produce and homemade as standard and some supper/breakfast basics when guests' arrival time seems to warrant it.
I'm currently doing a bit of research amongst friends and acquaintances who fit my target market about what they expect/like in holiday accommodation, so I can report back to the forum if they say anything that you haven't already covered.
Vanessa - great idea - am I right you have a Sqiudoo lens on this as well?
The best on-arrival gift I ever experienced was a home-made cake at a cottage in Cornwall. We arrived at around 4pm after a long drive and the tray of tea and cake was so welcome.
We left a very nice bottle of wine and some chocolates in a basket for a couple on honeymoon - neither were opened or taken away!
We leave strictly useful stuff as standard welcome pack - coffee, tea, milk, sugar, rolls, jam, butter, muesli, oil and vinegar and bathroom stuff of course. But we are getting so many repeat bookings now that I am thinking of giving them a basket of local goodies - we already give repeat guests a bottle of wine and some local beer.
Well I've decided to give the lead guest (the one who makes the booking) a little thank you gift.
I already leave 2 bottles of cava as a thanks but I'd like to do something for the one person who has to deal with all the hassle of the organising
Plus the gift will be locally made
)
