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WalesGiant luxury cottages with plenty of room for everyone
If you’re planning a special family getaway for an extended family in 2023 or beyond, or a group getaway you can either try to book a collection of lodges or cottages on the same park, or go all in on a whopping holiday cottage that where you can all share the adventure.
There UK has some incredible super-sized holiday rentals that are not just roomy but packed with charm, fun things to do like their own tennis courts or even cinema rooms! Think lots of bedrooms, lots of bathrooms and bags of charm. Some of these properties are hundreds of years old!
Below you’ll find some of the best cabins, cottages and lodges that can sleep anything up to 26 or more guests! All with their own lovely private hot tub. As always, if you’re having any problems finding your perfect break, let us help.
Happy hunting and here’s to finding that perfect getaway where everyone can make special memeries together that will last a lifetime.
Take a tour of some of Scotland’s biggest holiday rentals with everything from private football pitches, to swimming pools, to BBQ huts, and alot more to keep you and your loves ones entertained.
From the beautiful city of Edinburgh to the remote Scottish Highlands, you could spend every holiday in Bonnie Scotland and still discover something new! See some truly mind-blowing large holiday houses available to rent today at great prices.
Guide to renting REALLY big properties
If you’re new to the world of these larger holiday rentals and don’t know where to start, hopefully, this guide will put you in good stead and help you ‘pick a good ‘un’ as they say. There are a few quirks and considerations when you’re renting one of the more sizable cottages so let’s get to it.
What kind of things can you do?
One of the best things we’ve found with booking larger properties is that you get loads to do that you might not normally get with a smaller lodge or a collection of smaller cottages. Here are a few typical things – although nothing is all that ‘typical’ with some of these massive, one-of-a-kind rentals!
Chilling in the garden – As much fun as it is exploring a large cottage and enjoying the facilities in the splendid interior, the gardens are normally equally as impressive. If it’s good weather you can make use of the furniture and have a good get-together. If it’s not, heaters and firepits are there to keep you warm even if there’s a chill in the air. You’ve got that fantastic manicured garden to enjoy, so get out there and enjoy that peace and quiet.
Have family BBQ – If it’s the right time of year, and the UK weather plays ball, one of the best things you can do as a larger group or family is get the barbeque on the go and rustle up a royal feast for everyone to get stuck in to. The drinks are flowing, the kids are doing their thing. You really can’t beat that atmosphere and, best of all, no-one has to drive home.
Fancy a dip? Some larger accommodations come with their own swimming pool which can either be an outdoor one or an indoor one. There’s nothing quite like turning up at the pool and knowing you’ve got it to yourself! And kids absolutely love jumping in and playing in pools. There are no lifeguards of course, but there are also no restrictions on taking in that inflatable unicorn!
Hit the hot tub – Our little site is all about those awesome niche properties that have their own private hot tub. While you might not be able to fit 12 in at a time, you can comfortably get 6 guests in and there’s nothing quite like slipping into a hot tub first thing in the morning, or even late at night. A lot of people find the hot tub really makes their break, so don’t skimp on the bubbles.
A games room – A lot of larger cottages have some kind of games room, from a resplendent snooker room to a more modern room with air-hockey tables and video games! Kids love a good games room nearly as much as grown-ups. If you can snag a property that has one of these, go for it because it will add a lot of fun and definitely keep everyone entertained.
Outdoor sports – Again, this varies loads between these larger rentals but you’ll find some amazing full-size sports available literally in your backyard. Some common ones are football pitches, tennis courts and basketball hoops. If you get the weather, this can be a lot of fun (and a bit of exercise too!)
What to look for when booking a larger accommodation
The essentials - bedrooms and bathrooms and more...
Let’s go over one of the most obvious things, but it’s all fun and games until there’s a long queue to use the bathroom and Uncle Steven has been in there for 20 minutes. With properties that sleep 12 people, they’re usually more like mini-hotels and you shouldn’t have a problem finding a bathroom that’s not occupied.
- Who’s going and what do you need? Break open that new notebook and lets get organised. If planning the dream group holiday rests on your shoulders, you can take a lot of weight off by getting organised. Write down how many people are going, what area you want to stay in, any special requirements guests have, and which attractions you want to be near.
- How many rooms and bathrooms do we need? Start with the basics. How many rooms do you need? Do the teenagers need their own room? And then look at bathrooms. These are very important for a group getaway and some big cottages might not have enough! Look for a minimum of 3 bathrooms, but you’ll often find these larger cottages can have 4 or even 5 throughout the property.
- Seating and dining – While it might sound like a silly question, one that’s worth asking is ‘will there be enough room for everyone to sit!?’ If you’re taking a holiday with a large group, practical considerations like will everyone be able to have dinner at the same table at the same time become oddly important! And it’s not something that can be taken for granted. Check if there’s a large dining table for starters.
- Accessibility – Another biggie is checking things like mobility access and ramps. Large cottages can be hit or miss with this and it’s no good booking up if the rooms are off a long spiral staircase but you have guests with mobility issues.
- Pricing and availability – Big cottages aren’t cheap at the best of times but you can save a lot of money simply by avoiding peak times. Obviously, if your getaway involves children you don’t have this luxury but if you’re going with friends, avoiding school holiday times can save a fortune.
A lot of these huge cottages have oddly small tables! If you’re planning big family meals indoors, check there’s enough room for everyone.
What sort of hot tub should I go for?
Don’t underestimate the power of the Hot Tub! OK, that’s a bit dramatic. The point is that booking somewhere with a hot tub can ’10X’ how much fun everyone can have during their stay. As any regular hot-tubber will tell you, they make for a really fun activity for all but the younger members of your party of 12 and a focual point everyone can enjoy any time of day.
The two main kinds of hot tubs you’ll come across are Wood-fired and electric ‘jacuzzi’ style.
Both are very similar but with the wood-fired one, you’ll have to heat it up with a wood burner using real logs. It’s not as difficult as it sounds and the cottage owner will be more than happy to show you the ropes. They do have advantages in that they’re eco-friendly, sustainable and a lot quieter than their great bubbling beast siblings. But either will provide hours of fun and relaxation.
Just don’t spend too long in there. Hot tubs are obviously a lot hotter than a swimming pool and it’s not just pruned fingers you’ll have to worry about. Cooking yourself for too long in there at a high temperature can leave you feeling a bit wobbly and faint. Pace yourself and go for short bursts of 15 minutes.
What are the main things to look for when booking a big cottage?
The essentials - bedrooms and bathrooms and more...
So how many bathrooms do you need? A good rule of thumb is ‘one bathroom per family’ or one bathroom for every four people if you’re renting accommodation for a group of friends.
Pet friendly hot tub breaks
There’s no reason not to take your pet on holiday and let them get in on some of the family photos. The larger properties lend themselves well to dog owners as there’s normally plenty of outdoor space to ‘unleash the beast’ (of any size) and let them have some freedom and the run of the place. Here are some quick things to look for if you’re taking your pet.
- Get a property with an enclosed garden – Way more common in bigger holiday homes than regular-size cabins are fenced in gardens. It’s worth checking if the property you’re booking does have a secure garden so you you can just let your pooch out while you get on with the important things, like testing out that new games room.
- Check if it’s extra for pets – One thing that is common with cottages both large and small is that there can be an extra charge for pets to stay. It’s always mentioned somewhere on the booking page and is payable at checkout, or when you pay the full balance of your holiday.
- Check how many dogs you’re allowed to take with you – The only other restriction you will need to deal with is that some cottage rentals have a max number of 4-legged guests you’re allowed to bring on holiday. It’s normally 2 – 3 which may be enough.
How to pay and do you have to pay it all up front?
As a lot of people will be sharing the cost of staying in one of these larger properties, it’s helpful to be able to pay a deposit and then pay off the rest some time before you take your holiday.
This is dependant on the booking provider and can also be time sensitive. One big tip is to try and book your holiday as far out as you can. Booking 4-6 months before your stay can often trigger a ‘low deposit’ offer that won’t be available if you’re booking a big cottage last minute.
What about the children?
If you’re booking a stag or a hen do, obviously you can skip this part! However, if you’re planning a massive family break and need to rent accommodation that will keep the kids entertained, what are some things to look for?
- A nice safe garden – Speaking from experience as a parent, you really can’t take your eyes off them for a minute can you? But you can make our life easier when booking a cottage to pick one with a nice safe garden, with an enclosed space they can’t wander out of, and also be mindful if there’s a pond or lake. You might be better off picking one that doesn’t have any water features, as a lot of these big cottages do!
- Games rooms – While adults remember the classic period features, the roaring open fires and the beauty of the locations, kids remember things like the games room. They’ll likely be bringing their own digital entertainment but it’s worth seeing if you can find a cottage with a games room with a nice big TV, pool table, and other stuff in there. A den they can call their own and play with their cousins and siblings.
- Swimming pools – They’re less common but there are some larger holiday homes that come with swimming pools. If you want to be a hero, try to find one if you’re travelling with children.
- Cottages with playparks built-in – With a bit of digging you might be able to find a larger rental that has all kinds of fun outdoor activities for younger kids in the back garden! A lot of guests love booking somewhere that has swings, slides and adventure playgrounds on the site itself. 100% for your private use!
- What’s nearby? If you’re staying for longer than a weekend break or a few days, it’s worth planning the cottage you go for based on at least some of the nearby attractions. If you’re out in the middle of nowhere, it could be a massive drive to visit the nearest zoo, play park or Go Ape.
Big Cottages. Big gardens!
One of the real highlights to booking a larger cottage is all the outdoor space you get to call your own. Assuming it’s not terential rain during your break, you’ll have access to a large outdoor garden that’s normally more akin to a private park. Obviously it varies between accommodations but we’ve seen anything from a private lake to several acres of land to explore!
At the very least you’ll have a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy spending time with family and friends. And don’t forge that you can make a splash in the hot tub any time of year (even when it’s snowing!)
What sort of hot tub should I go for?
Don’t underestimate the power of the Hot Tub! OK, that’s a bit dramatic. The point being that booking somewhere with a hot tub can ’10X’ how much fun everyone can have during their stay. As any regular hot-tubber will tell you, they make for a really fun activity for all but the younger members of your party of 12 and a focual point everyone can enjoy any time of day.
The two main kinds of hot tubs you’ll come across are Wood-fired and electric ‘jacuzzi’ style.
Both are very similar but with the wood-fired one you’ll have to heat it up with a wood-burner using real logs. It’s not as difficult as it sounds and the cottage owner will be more than happy to show you the ropes. They do have advantages in that they’re eco-friendly, sustainable and a lot quieter than their great bubbling beast siblings. But either will provide hours of fun and relaxation.
Just don’t spend too long in there. Hot tubs are obviously a lot hotter than a swimming pool and it’s not just pruned fingers you’ll have to worry about. Cooking yourself for too long in there at a high temperature can leave you feeling a bit wobbly and faint. Pace yourself and go for short bursts of 15 minutes.
Booking for 12 guests - isn't that expensive?
Prices start at around £1300 to book a decent sized holiday home that will sleep 12 guests in Scotland. They can spiral upwards to £5000 – £6000 depending on the kind of property you’re booking. One of the main ways to get around this cost is to split it with other guests who are attending. Once you chop it down like that, it’s not too bad for a week’s holiday. You can also book for shorter durations of course. A three night stay in a big fancy cottage might be just the ticket and costs a lot less too!
One thing I would say is that larger lodges and holiday rentals cost the owners a fortune to run and keep going. You literally need a team of employees to get a castle with 7 bedrooms ready for the next guests. And things like council tax, rates and heating costs can mean that hosts aren’t exactly getting rich.
Besides, these are some of Scotland’s most outstanding properties. We spend a lot of time reviewing, visiting and writing up the cottages we feature on Lodges with Hot Tubs and some of the best ones are these larger properties. Sharing a holiday with a larger group of friends or family is something you can’t put a price on.