The Sandbox: A Shining Example of Holiday Let Success in Hayle

We had the pleasure of discussing all things holiday letting in Cornwall with the owners of The Sandbox, Ryan & Emma Hosking. The Sandbox is a luxurious coastal retreat in Hayle, near Gwithian Towans.

In this case study, we explore the owner’s holiday letting journey. Having achieved significant attention and high booking levels, as well as support from the Carbis Bay Holidays team, this is a shining example of success in the holiday let market.

Join us as we delve into the owner’s experiences and insights, as well as top tips…

As a property owner, what factors influenced your decision to holiday let The Sandbox?

“Having both been born & raised in Cornwall, we always spent much of our time at St Ives Bay. Whether surfing, taking coastal walks or just relaxing on the golden sands, we wanted others to experience the beauty of, arguably, the best bay in the UK. With the Sandbox being only meters from it, we felt the Sandbox would be a perfect addition to the area, where guests could enjoy the bay in its entirety. The Sandbox is a purpose built holiday home.”

Can you share some insights into your experience of researching and choosing a local holiday let agency in and around Hayle?

“When the Sandbox was finally complete in July 2022, we approached five different letting agents, all from the West Cornwall area.

Carbis Bay holidays shone above the others in their approach, knowledge of the area and in a pro active way from start to finish. It was then a no brainer as to who we would choose to market The Sandbox for us. We could tell almost immediately the difference between those that had knowledge of our area & those that didn’t.”

What services and strategies have you found most helpful from the Carbis Bay Holidays team?

“Everything really. From the easy to navigate owners section on the website, to the easy booking system, fair pricing structure & fast responses to any queries we have had.”

Could you describe the unique features and amenities that makes The Sandbox stand out?

The selling point is the fact that it sits merely 100m from Hayle Beach. From there, the whole three plus miles of St Ives Bay can be explored easily.

The view of Hayle Estuary from the front main doors is also nice, and with high vaulted ceilings throughout the property, there is a nice sense of space in a relatively small apartment.

There is also undercover parking for one vehicle directly below, and the parking space also includes an electric car charger for guests to use free of charge.”

What steps did you take to prepare your property for guests in terms of decor, furnishings, and overall ambiance?

“We have used modern contemporary finishes and colours, with the emphasis on trying to create a beach/seaside feel. As mentioned, the high vaulted ceilings make the space feel bright & modern. The Sandbox has pretty much everything you need for a relaxing holiday.”

Have you encountered any challenges along your holiday letting journey, and if so, how have you overcome these?

“We haven’t really had any issues. All feedback is received and read, and if there is anything guests have suggested we add etc then we have tried to do this. Other than this, we have had positive feedback and journey so far.”

Are there any local businesses in Hayle that you would recommend for interiors, furnishings, or appliances?

“Julian Foye sell some great interior furniture, based in Hayle, Truro, Wadebride and St Austell. They have a large showroom in Hayle main high street.”

What measures do you take to ensure a memorable and comfortable experience for guests staying at your property?

“Guests always receive a free pint of Cornish Milk, toilet rolls, a fully clean property with clean linen & towels. Guests also receive local cookies and a small bag of local teas, coffees and soaps to get them started. If its a winter stay, we have the underfloor heating set to a nice temperature and have the towel rail on so that the property is nice & cosy for them on arrival.”

How do you maintain and keep your property in excellent condition for long-term use as a holiday let?

“The Sandbox is brand new and has only been available to let since end of July 2022. But going forward, we intend to take a couple of weeks in the low season to add a lick of paint and maintain the building where needed to keep it looking as new as possible.”

What advice would you give to other property owners who are considering letting a property in and around Hayle?

“We are new to the holiday rental business ourselves, but all I can say is we have found it so much easier using a letting agent who knows the local area and can advise you on what to add, or do to get your property as ready as it can be, so that guests can have a great holiday. We have found Carbis bay Holidays invaluable for advice & for things we didn’t even consider.”

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

“When we go on holiday ourselves, we have an expectation on what we would like the property we intend to stay in have. The main things being cleanliness, everything working, easy access, parking & modern conveniences. We have just tried our best to incorporate this in everything we have done with The Sandbox, and so far, it’s paid off. We are so happy that we have had great feedback and guests have had an enjoyable holiday, which means we must be doing something right.

Again, as mentioned above, Carbis Bay Holidays have been such a great company for us & have helped us from the start. So a big thank you to them!

Thinking of letting your holiday home in Hayle?

At Carbis Bay Holidays, our local team of holiday letting experts can support you through every stage of your holiday letting journey. From finding the perfect property to let to offering property management services in West Cornwall, we are here to help. To find out more about the services we offer, visit our Let Your Cottage page to request your FREE Owners Guide.

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