Peak season is not the moment to discover that the spare key is unreliable, the listing photographs show an old layout or three different guests have struggled with the same appliance.
The busiest weeks amplify whatever is already working and whatever is not. A practical review before arrivals increase, gives owners and their local team time to solve small problems without the pressure of a same day changeover.
This is the checklist we would use as a starting point.
1. Read the Listing as a Guest
Begin with the information guests see before they book.
Check that the photographs still reflect the property, particularly if furniture, décor or outdoor areas have changed. Review the sleeping arrangements, bathroom count, parking information, pet rules and any access considerations.
Useful descriptions are clear rather than defensive. Guests should understand the home they are choosing, including the features they will love and the practical details they need to plan around.
Do not add an amenity until it is installed, tested and genuinely available to every relevant guest.
2. Test What Guests Will Use
Walk through the property as though you have never stayed there before.
- keys, locks and key safes;
- Wi-Fi and television instructions;
- heating and hot water;
- ovens, hobs, dishwashers and other supplied appliances;
- lamps, exterior lights and smoke or carbon-monoxide alarms in line with the property’s safety arrangements;
- outdoor furniture, gates and storage;
- showers, plugs and drains.
If something requires a trick that only the owner knows, either fix it or explain it clearly.
3. Check the Inventory Properly
A quick glance in the cupboards is rarely enough. Count the items needed for the home’s advertised capacity and replace anything chipped, missing or no longer fit for purpose.
Pay particular attention to crockery, cutlery and glasses; pans, trays and basic utensils; mattress and pillow protectors; spare bulbs and batteries; outdoor equipment that is genuinely supplied; and bins and recycling containers.
The aim is not to fill the property with unnecessary extras. It is to make sure the basics work consistently.
4. Review the Guest Information
Arrival instructions should answer the questions a tired guest will have in the correct order.
They need to know where to go, how to enter, where to park or unload and who to contact if they cannot get in. After that, the house guide can cover Wi-Fi, heating, appliances, waste, local recommendations and departure.
Check every external recommendation before the season begins. Restaurants, ferries, parking systems and local services change, so an old printed guide can quickly become less helpful than intended.
5. Walk Through the Changeover
Consistency matters most when the calendar becomes busy.
Confirm that the changeover team has the current checklist, enough time and a clear method for reporting damage, missing items or maintenance concerns. Decide who makes the call if something needs replacing before the next arrival.
Photographs can help document how rooms should be presented, but they should support good communication rather than create an unrealistic styling exercise at every turnaround.
6. Plan the Response Route
Owners often focus on preventing every possible problem. It is just as important to decide what happens when something does go wrong.
Make sure guests have one clear contact route. Confirm who can respond locally, who holds spare keys and which contractors can be contacted when appropriate.
A calm, prompt and useful response can have as much influence on a review as the original issue.
7. Review Repeated Feedback
Look back through the previous season’s questions and reviews.
If several guests asked the same thing, the answer may need to appear earlier in the guest journey. If an item was repeatedly reported, replace or repair it rather than treating each message as an isolated incident.
Positive feedback matters too. It shows which aspects of the property should be clearer in the listing and photographs.
8. Recheck the Commercial Details
Availability, minimum stays, arrival rules and pricing should reflect the owner’s current strategy and the way guests are actually booking.
This is not about changing prices in a panic. It is about checking that the calendar is accurate, booking rules are intentional and unnecessary restrictions are not creating avoidable gaps.
A Better Peak Season Starts Before Peak Season
The strongest preparation is usually quiet and unglamorous: accurate information, working equipment, clear responsibilities and a consistent standard.
If you own a holiday home in Salcombe or the surrounding South Hams and would value an honest review of the property, listing and guest journey, Quay Holiday Lettings can help you identify practical priorities before the busiest weeks begin.