What to Consider when Booking Holiday Cabins & Lodges

A log cabin can be an amazing way to spend a holiday, especially one in an open, natural area that gives you plenty of trails to explore. However, just like all accommodations, when booking holiday cabins and lodges you will find there are so many on offer that it can be hard to decide which one is the right option for your stay.

As tempting as it can be to choose the cheapest option and worry about the consequences later, spending time deciding what you really expect from your holiday and looking over your options makes a significant difference. Here are some things to consider first.

Pets

Are pets allowed? Across the US, Europe, and the UK log cabins that allow dogs are not always widely available in certain areas. However, with a little research, you will find fantastic options. The East of England can be a lovely place in the UK for cabin and lodge holidays and, for example, there are some great dog-friendly lodges in Essex and some fabulous countryside to enjoy. If you plan to bring your family’s four-legged friend with you, then you need to be sure that you choose a cabin that will accommodate them appropriately.

If taking your dogs is an essential part of your holiday, this aspect really is not negotiable. If the cabin or lodge does not specifically say they are dog-friendly, find another option that does allow them because the site owners will generally have considered their needs and the site will often be safer for animals in general anyway.

Isolation

How isolated would you like your holiday cabin or lodge to be?

On the one hand, isolation can be the experience that many people are desperate for, a way for them to get away from the suburban or urban life that they are used to. Although being totally isolated ‘in the middle of nowhere’ might sound appealing, do carefully consider the options? Might you crave the company or at least sight of other humans? Are you organised enough to ensure you have sufficient supplies for the holiday period? Does the accommodation provide adequate fridge and freezer space for your requirements? And what about medical emergencies?

Striking a balance between ‘isolated’ and ‘too isolated to stay safe’ can be important if you are not fully prepared. For your first stay in a cabin, it is sensible to choose somewhere that is still close enough to a town or city so you can top up supplies, find a nice coffee shop for a little human interaction and feel safe should any emergency threaten.

Neighbours

Some lodges are large enough for multiple families to live in, and there are collections of cabins out in the wilderness that form their own little holiday community. If you want to get true isolation, then it is often a sensible idea to check and see if that cabin is one of several in the same area.

On the other hand, having other people nearby who want to experience a similar holiday can lead to nice friendships and a lot less empty downtime. It also makes it much easier to get help if something goes wrong and means that there will often be more to do around the cabins themselves.

But if you want peace and quiet, being close to families with excitable young children might not be the best way of fulfilling those requirements!

Internet

While it can be tempting to get a cabin that completely cuts you off from your home and work life – no internet, no phone, etc. – it can also be important to remember that these are your emergency contact options too. If you do not have a phone, then you can’t call for assistance.

This will not ever be an issue for most people, but you never know when you might have an electrical fault, suffer a small cabin fire, or get an injury that you can’t recover from without outside help. Being prepared for the worst is always important, especially during a holiday abroad or somewhere rural.

Conclusion

Ensure you do your research so when booking your holiday cabin or lodge it meets all your requirements. Obviously, the starting point is the website and/magazines promoting the holiday option but check the area fully via Google maps to ensure geographically it is a good position for you and check the internet for reviews and comments.

Plan well beforehand with a list of everything you need to take.

And enjoy!