The Ultimate Holiday Park Cottage Packing Checklist: What to Bring
A holiday cottage is rented on a self-catering basis: the kitchen is equipped, but consumables are not supplied. To avoid spending your first evening at the park shop, here is what to bring, separating what the operators publish from what depends on your accommodation.
· 6 min read
The figures in this article cover the 33 parks we have studied in detail. The comparison tool now covers 595.
The park kitchen kit: what it contains, and when it is provided
At Center Parcs, Premium and VIP cottages include a kitchen kit: a sponge, a tea towel, a floor cloth and a few dishwasher tablets. In Comfort cottages the kit is not included: it can be bought in advance. With other operators, check the accommodation page.
For a three-night weekend, the kit is not enough. Washing-up liquid is not part of it, and toilet paper is limited to a courtesy roll at best: bring the rest.
Kitchen & pantry essentials: 7 items almost everyone forgets
- Dishwasher tablets: when the kitchen kit is provided, it only holds a few, not enough for the whole stay.
- Scourer sponge & washing-up liquid: washing-up liquid is not in the Center Parcs kitchen kit, and a single sponge will not cope with the pans.
- Tea towels & hand towels: at Center Parcs, the Premium and VIP kit includes one tea towel; in Comfort nothing is supplied unless you buy the kit. Bring one or two extra.
- Cooking staples: salt, pepper, olive oil, vinegar and sugar. Do not expect to find any in the cupboards.
- Coffee: check the machine listed for your cottage. At Center Parcs, Comfort cottages have a filter coffee maker (bring ground coffee and filters) and Premium and VIP cottages a Nescafé Dolce Gusto machine (except at Park Allgäu): bring compatible capsules.
- Bin liners: bring a roll of 30 or 50 litres, especially if you cook on site.
- Kitchen roll & tin foil or cling film: for wrapping sandwiches for day trips or keeping leftovers in the fridge.
Bed linen & towels: what is included by cottage tier?
This is one of the most confusing points when booking: linen depends on the operator, the accommodation tier and even the country of the park. Here is what Center Parcs publishes for its French parks.
| Cottage tier | Bed linen | Beds made on arrival | Bath towels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort | Included in France (not included in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany) | No, paid option (except Landes de Gascogne and Villages Nature Paris) | Optional, €11.50 per person |
| Premium | Included | Yes | Optional, €11.50 per person |
| VIP | Included | Yes | Included (1 set per person) |
Conditions published by Center Parcs for its French parks (September 2026). At Landal the tiers are called comfort, luxe and luxe+: beds are made on arrival in luxe and luxe+, and towels are always a paid extra. Check your accommodation page before you leave.
For relaxing evenings in the cottage
After a day outdoors or in the pool, life gathers in the living room. To make these evenings warm without unnecessary spending:
- Compressed fire logs and firelighters: if your cottage has a fireplace, bring compressed logs from a shop at home rather than buying the bundle sold on site.
- Board games and playing cards: they are not on the equipment list published by Center Parcs, yet they are the heart of rainy evenings.
- HDMI cable: if the cottage television has an accessible HDMI port, you can plug in a laptop for a film night.
- Slippers or thick socks: a tiled floor can feel cold in autumn and winter, even with the heating on.
The handy checklist summary for your car boot
- Kitchen kit: 1 scourer sponge, dishwasher tablets, 1 bottle of washing-up liquid, 2 clean tea towels.
- Pantry staples: salt, pepper, oil, coffee (ground or capsules depending on the machine), tea bags, sugar, 1 roll of kitchen paper, bin liners.
- Bathroom: a few spare toilet rolls, shower gel and shampoo, your own towels if you have not booked them.
- Swimming & outdoor: 1 large bath sheet per person for the water park, flip-flops, waterproof jackets.
- Comfort: indoor slippers, matches and logs for the fireplace, board games, an extension lead.
Before packing, check each park's facilities (indoor pool, private sauna, shop, wifi) on our comparison tool.
Compare park facilities →Frequently asked questions
- Are toilet paper and soap provided in the cottage?
- Count on one courtesy toilet roll at best. Soap and shower gel are not supplied, except in VIP cottages at Center Parcs, where shampoo, shower gel and body lotion are included. Bring your own toiletries.
- Can you cook normally in a holiday park kitchen?
- Yes, basic cookware and tableware (plates, cutlery, glasses, pans) are provided according to the cottage capacity, along with hobs, a microwave and a fridge. What you won't find is anything to cook with: no salt, no oil and no coffee.
- Do you have to pay extra for bed linen at holiday parks?
- It depends on the operator, the country and the tier. At Center Parcs, bed linen is included in all French parks; in the Belgian, Dutch and German parks it is not included in Comfort cottages. In Premium and VIP, beds are made on arrival. At Landal, beds are made in the luxe and luxe+ tiers.
- Are towels provided for the Aqua Mundo?
- No. Even if you rent a towel set for your accommodation, it is better to bring your own bath sheets for the pool so the cottage towels stay dry for the evening shower.
The author
Edits hoprat and holds editorial responsibility for it. hoprat is operated by the company Yourachme, Belgian company number BE 0771.759.318.