Self-catering accommodation – what exactly does it mean?

The star rating of your holiday accommodation is a good indication of what you can expect – especially relating to the kind of kitchen you will be confronted with.

Close your eyes for a second. What do you envision when you think about the self-catering accommodation you’ve booked for your December holiday?

A luxurious kitchen that’s equipped with everything from a full range of stainless steel pots and pans, to a coffee perculator and even dishwasher?

Or could it be a disappointing dark hole with a two-plate stove, malfunctioning kettle, blunt can opener and chipped plates?

The star rating of your holiday accommodation can truly make or break your holiday.

While it might be very tempting to opt for the unlisted granny flat owing to budget constraints, you might be in for a very nasty surprise.

The same goes for four or five star rated accommodation – it is truly a case of you get what you pay for.

All accommodation worth its salt are graded by the Tourism Grading Council of SA.

After inspecting the property, their assessors award between one (for acceptable) and five (for outstanding) stars to the specific accommodation.

Mandatory kitchen essentials

According to their grading criteria, all self-catering accommodation kitchen must have:

• Braai tongs

• Storage containers for multiple purposes

• Knives – bread knife, paring knife, meat knife

• Serving spoons

• Potato peeler

• Egg lifter, fish slice (large egg lifter) and a spatula

• Grater

• Slotted spoon

• Wooden spoons or equivalent

• Whisk

• Hygienic chopping board

• Colander

• Cutlery box or drawer divider

• Good quality stainless steel cutlery

• Numbers of each crockery/glass/cutlery item according to the maximum number of occupants.

• Ladle

• Jug

• Roasting tray

• Sugar bowl

• Mixing bowls x 3 sizes

• Salad bowl

• Salad servers

• Three sizes saucepans

• Three sizes pots

• Two sizes frying pans

• Teapot

• Condiment set

• Table cloths and placemats

• Oven gloves

• Kettle

• Toaster

• Stove with at least 2 plates

• Microwave oven

• Fridge with a freezer compartment with ice tray.

When it comes to self-catering accommodation, read online reviews, look at their website and ask the owners/receptionist about what is provided.

If you’re still in doubt, it may be safe to bring along:

• Your own braai tongs.

• A sharp, multi-purpose knife.

• Marinade brush.

• One or two plastic containers / lunch boxes.

• A trusted bottle opener/cork screw

• Your favourite can opener from home

• A potato peeler that actually works

• Sharp scissors

• Plastic cups, plates and cutlery if you have kids

• Your own small cheese grater

• Ice bricks and cooler box

• Your own dishcloths, dishwashing liquid and sponge

• Measuring jugs and spoons

• Your favourite table cloth

• Plastic pegs and string washing line for laundry or wet beach towels.

• A two-pin plug.

• Black bags.

• Wetwipes.

• Toilet paper (better safe than sorry).

• A lighter or matches.

• Torch and batteries.

• Your own coffee press.

More tips to get that self-catering holiday off to a good start

• Know exactly where your holiday venue is. Spare yourself the frustration of driving around in circles or getting lost by finding the venue on Google Maps beforehand.

• Contact the venue to find out what the arrangement is with regards to the keys to the venue. Let them know what time you expect to arrive and notify them if you are running late.

• Don’t pack cooler boxes full of frozen food or meat without checking first if the venue has enough freezer space.

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