Bigger is often better

It may sound obvious, but if you’re organising a trip for a large group of people, you will want to be completely sure that there is enough space for everyone. It can be tempting to try and save a bit of money here and there by squeezing people in, but you will want to ensure that everyone is as comfortable as possible if they’re going to fully enjoy their stay. However, simply looking at the number of bedrooms can be a mistake. A property that sleeps 10 will have enough beds for 10 people, however, you’ll also want to make sure that the living spaces are big enough for your entire group. You don’t want to spend your days squeezing into a small lounge, or have to dine in shifts in order to get around the dinner table.

Look at the pictures and read the property description. If you’re going to spend a lot of time making use of the living room, is there space for everyone? If you’re going to be bringing children with you, is there an area where they can play away from the rest of the group? When it comes to meal times, is the dinner table big enough for everyone to gather together for social dinners? These are all questions that you will want to ask yourself before you book.

Popular property types for big group retreats include:

•Spacious cottages and farmhouses •Converted barns •Castles and chateaux •Glamping sites

What specific facilities are important?

We touched on this in the previous section, but certain groups will require certain facilities. So it’s always a good idea to make a list of the desired features you want your property to offer, to make searching for your stay easier. Here are some things to consider:

Travelling with children

If you’re travelling with little ones then you might want to look for a property that offers some child-friendly features. These can include: •Swimming pool •Games room •A separate lounge area for kids •A big garden with a lawn for games •Playpark •Selection of games consoles and games

Here are some great Coolstays for big groups travelling with children:

•Brook Farm •The Shed •Coulscott House

After some luxury

If you’re looking for some luxury touches to make your stay extra special, then you could consider adding the following features to your wishlist: •Hot tub •Sauna •Free-standing bathtubs •Underfloor heating

Here are some deluxe stays for big groups:

•Barford Beach House •Otter's Holt •The Water Shed

Practical amenities

If you’re bringing dogs, looking to get out into the wilderness for some proper hiking, or aiming to spend days on the beach, then here are some features that you may wish to consider: •A handy boot room •Outdoor showers •Bikes to borrow or bike storage •Ample parking

Here are some great group retreats with practical amenities:

•Hawkhow Estate •Durns •Angmering On Sea Beach House

Think about meal times

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all important, so it’s worth considering who will be doing the cooking and what facilities they may need. Here are some options available at different Coolstays that might just peak your interest: •Modern, fully equipped kitchen •BBQ •Pizza oven •Wine fridge •Aga •Outdoor kitchens for cooking alfresco •Food packs, such as pre-made meals ready and waiting •Private chefs to hire •Shopping deliveries

Here are some Coolstays that budding chefs will love:

•Sheepyard Barn •Alward House •Derwent Garden Estate

Accessibility needs

If you’re travelling with people with specific accessibility needs then you will need to be 100% sure that the property in which you’re staying is able to cater to those needs. This may include: •Ground floor bedrooms for people who cannot climb stairs •An easy to access property that doesn’t require long walks across uneven ground •Walk-in showers

Here are some fantastic Coolstays for people with accessibility needs:

•Dairy House •Carden Laithe •The Agency at Sandon Hall

How much privacy is on offer?

How much privacy everyone needs is very much dependent on the type of group you have. If you’re going on holiday with close family, then you won’t need as much privacy as if you’re travelling with people who don’t all know each other that well.

Family members won’t mind sharing bathrooms in the morning, but if there are people in your group who aren’t that close, then you may want to look for a property with ensuite bathrooms or even ones where people are provided their own separate living spaces.

Here at Coolstays we offer some group retreats that consist of a cluster of cottages all sharing the same patch of land. These are ideal for separate families, or groups that aren’t too well acquainted, as they allow you to head off to your own dwelling come the end of the night after a day spent socialising together.

However, to counter this, if you’re in a group that are all super-close, you will want to spend as much time together as possible, so ensuring that you all share one main living space is key.

At Coolstays we offer a vast and varied range of group accommodation options. So take a look below to see if any of these are suitable for your next group getaway.

Converted barns or spacious cottages

Up and down the UK there are many amazing barn conversions and spacious cottages that are ideal for big groups. Nestled away amidst beautiful countryside, these accommodation options are often great for groups of friends and family that want to explore the UK’s rich natural scenery. These options often provide an authentic stay that harks back to years gone by, offering you the chance to soak up rustic, rural charm whilst you unwind in peace.

Big modern houses

On one end of the spectrum you have converted barns and cottages that date back centuries, and on the other, you have super-modern homes that look like something from Grand Designs. These contemporary offerings are often a great choice for groups looking for something a bit more luxurious on their holiday. Think purpose-built saunas, heated swimming pools, and deluxe free-standing bathtubs sitting in minimalist bathrooms offering you the chance to enjoy an opulent soak in peace.

These modern homes will often have top-of-the-range entertainment systems, underfloor heating, and huge walls of glass framing amazing views, creating a fun atmosphere where you and your loved ones can hang out in style.

Clusters of cottages or cabins

As we previously mentioned, we provide a number of stays that consist of separate dwellings sitting around a shared estate or courtyard. These are perfect for separate families travelling together or people who aren’t that close, ensuring you get a bit of privacy and peace away from the rest of the group.

Often these homes will sit on a shared plot of land with one of the homes having a large enough living space to accommodate the entire group. This allows you to socialise together during the day, before retiring back to your separate properties at night.

Glamping sites

We’ve not touched on glamping much in this guide, but many glamp sites offer you the chance to exclusively hire out the entire site. This is amazing for back-to-nature stays that allow you and your loved ones to soak up the magic of nature, spending evenings warming toes by toasty fires as the sun comes out above. We have a variety of glamp sites on Coolstays, that offer up authentic yurts, quaint tipis, modern glamping pods, and fab safari tents. So take a look at our glamping collection today and see if anything in particular suits your group’s needs.

If you’re on the hunt for the destination for your next group getaway then be sure to take a look at all of the properties on offer here at Coolstays. From luxurious countryside barns to coastal cottages with breathtaking views, our curated selection ensures a perfect setting for any occasion. Whether it’s a family reunion or a weekend escape with friends, Coolstays caters to diverse group sizes and interests, combining charm and comfort for memorable getaways.

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