Outdoor Essentials
Make the most of your park’s outdoor appeal with a few simple measures as Ashleigh Mackenzie reports…
From outdoor hot tubs to state-of-the-art furniture, fitness and play equipment, making the most of your outdoor appeal can be a wise investment.
Switched-on park owners who optimise their alfresco offering can reap rich rewards from holidaymakers who will pay extra for high-spec facilities and luxuries.
Transforming your outdoor areas needn’t be a daunting task. Investing in a few simple and cost effective measures can go a long way in improving aesthetics, comfort and services for guests.
Hot tubs are now a key driver in attracting new and existing business. Holiday homes and lodges with outdoor hot tubs can be rented out at a higher premium and remain a popular choice even in the low season.
According to self-catering specialists Hoseasons, a private hot tub is the number one searched for item on the website, accounting for more than 100,000 searches each month.
Two years ago, the holiday home owners of The Barns in Lyonshall, Herefordshire, made a very sound business investment and installed two hot tubs. Since then, they have seen a virtual stampede in bookings with almost all year round occupancy and have recently added a third.
SOUND INVESTMENT
Manager Steph Gardiner says: “We have walled gardens, wood burners, movie rooms, state-of-the-art kitchens for large scale dining and stunning views. Within that setting we wanted to add a ‘wow’ factor and we very quickly settled on installing hot tubs.” Steph contacted Three Counties Pools & Spas in Hereford and purchased two six person Caldera Palantinos. They proved so successful that she has recently added the seven person Vanto model.
Steph empties and refills the hot tubs after each set of guests, which takes a maximum of one hour, including filling time.
Says Steph: “When guests are in residence, daily maintenance takes less than an hour. We have adapted our procedures and training for the care of the spas and feel we are now very efficient whilst maintaining a very high level of hygiene and cleanliness.
“It’s no understatement that the hot tubs have proved a massive draw,” says Steph. “The beauty about hot tubs is that they appeal to everyone - from children to 80 year olds and they can be used all year round, whatever the weather.
“A group of junior doctors who recently came to stay told me they managed to get 14 people in one and it was the highlight of their year!”
Whitby Holiday Park in North Yorkshire has invested in a new outdoor play area, with help from play equipment specialists Timberplay.
There is no better way of enhancing and enriching an outdoor space than by investing in play equipment. Creating an innovative play space that fires a child’s imagination and creates a pleasant environment for parents to get together is a winning formula for holiday parks.
Whitby Holiday Park in North Yorkshire has invested in a new outdoor play area, with help from play equipment specialists Timberplay.
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Appealing to families as well as couples, for many holidaymakers, having their own hot tub is the highlight of their break.
Will Welch of Three Counties Pools & Spas adds: “The hot tubs were easy to install with no access issues. We have installed numerous Caldera spas for holiday park settings now and they have all proved highly successful. As soon as the tub is in the correct position, the water fill is started so that by the end of the install, the tub is full and heating and full instruction can be given on tub operation and water chemistry.”