How would you most accurately describe your hideaway in the
country or by the coast – as a holiday home or a chalet? The
architectural difference is often quite clear but there are certain
instances when the specific features that signify a chalet can be
open to confusion. Obviously, it's particularly important to
differentiate between the two when insuring the property or putting
it on the market.
The most common dictionary definition defines a chalet as being
'A wooden dwelling with a sloping roof and widely overhanging
eaves, common in Switzerland and other Alpine regions' or 'A small
wooden cabin used by holidaymakers'. Thankfully, the mountain
setting is no longer obligatory and the term chalet has become
widely accepted to describe any cottage or lodge built in this
distinctive style. Nowadays chalets have become highly popular as
holiday retreats in resorts and holiday parks both in the UK and
abroad.
Mostly constructed of wood to give an attractive rustic look,
chalets will quite often feature wide exterior galleries and
balconies to maximise the view of their surroundings. Large
windows, a steeply overhanging roof as well as decorative exterior
woodwork all help to give this type of property its characteristic
Alpine appearance. Of course, it's always the exception that proves
the rule - not all chalets are built of wood these days. Hence the
reason why getting the right Holiday Chalet insurance in place is so
important.
Distinctive chalet features
- Steeply sloping roof
- Widely overhanging eaves
- Usually constructed of wood
- Compact design
- Large windows
- Balconies and verandas
It's fascinating to see how chalets and their image have changed
over the years. Interestingly, the term was originally used to
describe the very basic hut used by a sheep or goat herder on the
mountains while many chalets in Europe served as seasonal dairy
farms in years gone by.
Those of us who are old enough to remember the television series
'Crossroads' will be delighted to find that real chalets bear
absolutely no resemblance to those shown on those notoriously shaky
motel sets! Nowadays resorts and holiday parks all over the world
offer well built chalets which are designed to be easy maintenance,
temporary homes away from home, they prove perfectly comfortable
for family use and can be as well equipped and furnished as their
living space or your budget allows.
Holiday chalets are usually located in picturesque settings such
as close to the beach or in parkland, beside the fairways of a golf
course or in a woodland setting Their owners are usually spoilt for
choice by way of sports and leisure amenities and other facilities
such as bars, restaurants, shops and clubhouses provided on site,
However, not all chalets are part of a holiday complex, there are
stand alone examples in glorious destinations and even esplanades
lined with fine individual chalets facing the sea.
Benefits of holiday chalets
- Usually not as large an investment as a full scale holiday
home
- More compact in the design of its lay out
- Easy to maintain and run
- Often located in a resort or complex offering a wide range of
amenities
- Provides a popular option for renting out
- Quick to lock up and leave
- Less expensive to run in most cases
- Can be cheaper to furnish and equip
More likely to be right on a beach or in a prime scenic spot
We should also touch on the subject of chalet bungalows at this
point. These properties make use of their attic or loft by
including extra bedrooms in these spaces. Such houses are really
1.5 storeys and are described as a chalet bungalow or dormer
bungalow. They are often built using wooden weatherboarding, stone
and rough faced bricks for exterior walls, porch pillars and
chimney stacks.
If you're not a chalet owner yet but the idea appeals, a useful
tool we came across was www.chalet4u.com. This is the largest and
most regularly updated UK website for buying a holiday chalet based
on British holiday parks. Operated by the British Holiday &
Home Parks Association on behalf of more than 2,700 member-parks,
it lists details of a wide range of pre-owned chalets currently for
sale.
A search on the internet will also give you a vast range of
chalets for sale on different holiday resorts around the world. As
with any property purchase, compare several options. Take into
account the quality of build and design, location, on site
facilities and yearly costs (such as site fees, maintenance charges
etc) as well as the purchase price.
Towergate offer Holiday Chalet insurance as part of their
holiday home insurance policy. Phone one of our sales advisors on
0844 892 1750 for a quote or more information.
