For many, a holiday or short break in the beautiful South Devon area is exactly that. A chance to have a rest, ‘recharge their batteries’, escape the pressures and stresses of everyday modern life, leaving work and associated worries behind for a week or so. However with our increasingly mobile technology- the rise in laptop ownership, wireless connections and, of course, the mobile ‘phone – more and more tenants are seeking to stay in touch, for whatever reason, during their time in the area.
With business owners/managers taking working breaks where it is vital to keep in contact with their office, others simply wanting to keep in touch with their e-mail traffic via a hot/g-mail account whilst away and teenagers increasingly ‘talking’ to their friends via the net, downloading music and playing internet games, there are many people who do not travel without their laptops these days.
Friends visiting from New Zealand even brought their laptop when staying with us recently – a great way to keep in touch, and avoid going home to mountains of email messages, plus many people these days use their laptop for their diary, IPOD and other essential travel items!
Whether for their own use when staying in their property or for the use of tenants, many property owners have added or are in the process of adding the new WiFi broadband internet connection to their holiday home. This additional feature can be marketed as a point of difference to another similar property, therefore encouraging bookings from those requiring this facility.
The owners of a luxury apartment in South Milton – Goldings – added a cordless telephone, WiFi broadband internet access as well as dial-up connection, to the specification of their property, seeing the need for such facilities at the property amongst a growing band of visitors taking ‘working breaks’ – often a compromise in today’s busy lifestyle. Whilst other features of the accommodation – the large open plan kitchen/dining area with picture windows leading to a balcony with superb country views, the hand-crafted kitchen, stylish bathrooms and more – attract the discerning holidaymaker in their own right, the additional benefits of internet technology are sought after by certain customers.
Centrally located in the heart of Salcombe, Ferry Steps and Ferry View, offer not only quick access (via small passenger ferry) to the sandy beaches of Salcombe but WiFi broadband internet access too. So after relaxing on the beach all day (weather permitting) you can sit in the comfort of your beautifully re-furbished property and keep in touch with the world!
With other properties also providing an internet connection and many others in the process of installing it, this new feature in the self-catering holiday market looks sure to become more popular. Not all those booking their rural escape, however, always consider their requirements before so doing. Whilst the majority of areas we cover now have mobile coverage, we have had visitors arrive at one property to discover that they have no network coverage on their mobile telephone, having failed to mention the necessity of this for their holiday! Whilst we always try to advise regarding network coverage to those who mention that they need to use their mobile – whether to keep in touch with family members or for the needs of their business – coverage is always changing and we can only give guidelines or recommend a property with a landline if this form of communication is vital to the enjoyment of the holiday. We can also suggest where they can get the clearest reception – in one particular small village the best location is indeed on the beach!
Whilst an increasing number of visitors are looking for these advances in technology to be included in the holiday property they select, others, naturally, shun the risk of disturbance to the tranquillity of their rural retreat. With pockets of poor mobile phone network coverage still existing in a few parts of Devon, they can enjoy their holiday in their chosen property, safe in the knowledge that no-one will disturb them!
A free Owners Guide giving further details and suggestions about letting your holiday home can be requested together with our 2006 brochure by contacting your nearest Coast & Country Cottages office on 01548 843773 (Salcombe properties), 01548 852572 (Kingsbridge, Hope Cove and South Hams villages) or 01803 839499 (Dartmouth and surrounding area) or by visiting www.coastandcountry.co.uk.
Source: Coast and Country