Owner conversation: Carbis Bay Lodge at Una St Ives

What inspired you to venture into holiday letting, and how did you come across Carbis Bay Lodge?

I’ve had a lifelong connection to Cornwall which I visited almost every year as a child, and my late parents retired there. Lorraine and I wanted to create similar memories for our children, so when the lodge came on the market at Una St Ives, it felt like the perfect opportunity.

What were some of the unexpected challenges you faced when you first started managing your holiday let?

We did our homework before starting a furnished holiday let business, but the reality proved far more complex – and costly – than we ever expected. From navigating an increasing web of regulatory compliance and health and safety obligations, to managing guest expectations – it’s effectively a tightly coordinated production involving many moving parts, all aimed at delivering a luxury-hotel quality experience where every detail counts. From your agent to your housekeepers, the partners you choose can truly be the difference between success and failure.

How did you approach marketing your property initially, and what obstacles did you encounter in attracting guests?

We’ve marketed the property ourselves and worked with other agents before partnering with Luxury Coastal. The reality is, as an individual owner, you simply don’t have the reach or marketing budget to compete in the crowded and highly competitive online space. Add to that the challenge of running a remote business alongside your day job and family responsibilities, you can’t run a successful holiday let without the right agent.

In what ways has Luxury Coastal contributed to improving the guest experience at your lodge?

Luxury Coastal has elevated the guest experience through consistently accurate and timely communication. From the moment a guest books, everything runs smoothly — clear listing details, prompt booking confirmations, informative pre-arrival emails, and responsive support during their stay. Even the welcome pack is regularly updated. In a business where things can change quickly, their attention to detail and administrative strength really stand out. Great communication builds trust, and that’s what ensures guests feel well looked after from start to finish.

How has Luxury Coastal helped increase the visibility of your property and attract more bookings?

It’s all about being seen – and making a great impression when you are. Luxury Coastal has outstanding online visibility. Their website ranks exceptionally well in search results, they advertise across multiple platforms, and their social media presence is strong. But for us, it’s the photography that truly sells the experience. The images they captured really showcase the setting, the style of the eco lodges, and the charm of the resort. What really impressed us was that their photographer didn’t just shoot during the day – he stayed into the evening to capture the twilight atmosphere, which beautifully conveys the unique feel of the resort.