COTSWOLD Cottage Gems is looking forward to a busy 2021 summer season as staycations soar with bookings up by 64 per cent for the mid and high seasons.

The luxury holiday company enjoyed a hugely successful summer season between lockdowns last year with a one hundred per cent occupancy rate across all its locations.

“We’re seeing that many Brits are choosing the Cotswolds for a staycation again this year, just like last,” said owner Gemma Elizabeth.

“With our risk-free bookings and Covid-secure services, many UK families have holidays planned with us for later in the year, looking for a change of scene and an opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones. So far we’ve received just one overseas visitor booking.”

Cotswold Cottage Gems began with just one cottage in May 2018, but now owns 11 cottages located across the Cotswolds, plus The Lansdowne, a 14-bedroom boutique guesthouse which serves breakfast, in Bourton-on-the-Water.

During the lockdown period, the company has also expanded its property collection with four new properties, including two chocolate box Cotswold cottages in Stow-on-the-Wold called Coniston House and The Crook, plus Darly Cottage in Bourton-in-the-Water and Magnolia Cottage in Moreton-in-the-Marsh.

Darly and Magnolia cottage have been renovated personally by Gemma Elizabeth and all properties feature furnishings and final touches from local suppliers.

“We’ve bought four new cottages this year investing over £2 million. That’s how confident we are that the UK hospitality industry will bounce back,” said Gemma.

“All our cottages really offer a home away from home, but through lockdown we’ve worked with local craftspeople to provide unique items for each cottage.

“Steven Wood based in Chipping Campden uses reclaimed beams to create exquisite furniture that’s truly one-of-a-kind and we’ve also commissioned unique artwork from a local artist, Brenda Gibson from Little Tew, of nearby picturesque scenes to help guests feel immersed in the Cotswolds during their stay.

“We’ve also been able to support other local artisans. Bourton-on-the-Water's popular florist, Clare Wrenne based at Forget Me Nots, had many wedding cancellations last year, but we’ll be working with the team to provide floral displays in our cottages for when our guests arrive.

“Similarly our welcome hampers feature many iconic Cotswold brands including the Cotswold Cheese Company, Cotswold Candle Company, Cotswold Gold Rapeseed Oil, Cotswold Chocolate Co., Cotswold Lavendar and bread from the Bakery-on-the-Water.”

As well as an expanding its property portfolio, the Cotswold Cottage Gem team is also set to grow.

“We were able to benefit from the furlough scheme which meant that we have retained all our staff and in fact we’ll also be looking for local hard-working individuals to join our new in-house cleaning team,” said Gemma.

“What is really lovely is seeing guests who would have stayed with us in 2020 join us this year instead for what is going to be a truly golden holiday season in Cotswolds.”