This is a behind-the-scenes look at what I’ve learned from running a dog-friendly holiday property for the last three years.
Having a holiday cottage has always been a dream for me and getting the keys for Sunnyside Cottage in Robin Hood’s Bay in April 2023 was so exciting.
In this episode and blog post, I talk about what has happened at Sunnyside over the last couple of years, the changes I’ve made at the cottage and the impact of that.
The last time I did a behind-the-scenes episode was in 2024, and I’ve learned a lot and changed lots of things at the cottage.
I talk about what’s worked in terms of visibility, from going viral to working with influencers and how I’ve been working on developing my skills when it comes to standing out and attracting guests.
And I also share information on the people I’ve had supporting me, from Instagram advice to putting new windows in, because there is no way I could do this on my own.
You’ll find all the links to the people and businesses I mention at the end of this post, and if you’re interested in staying, send me a message.
What’s changed at Sunnyside Cottage since 2024
Last year, we had a massive refurb and this included new windows, new Floors for Paws non-slip throughout the ground floor, and new carpets upstairs.
The cottage has a completely new bathroom, a new sofa, new mattresses in the twin room, and new lights throughout.
I painted the whole cottage myself, had the exterior pointing done, and apart from the kitchen, pretty much everything has been replaced or updated.
It cost over £25,000. And because I also spent on all the extras – the dog welcome packs, the little touches, the artwork – we didn’t make any last year.
But bookings were the busiest they’d ever been, and given everything that went out, I think we did all right.
If you’ve stayed at Sunnyside Cottage in Robin Hood’s Bay recently, you’ll have seen it looking its best. And if you’ve been thinking about visiting, this is a good time to come.
The dog-friendly experience at Sunnyside Cottage
One of the things that sets Sunnyside Cottage apart as a dog-friendly holiday cottage in Robin Hood’s Bay is the welcome that dogs get when they arrive.
It’s not just that dogs are allowed – I want guests to walk in and feel that their dog is at the centre of their experience and this is what sets us apart.
The welcome packs include handmade treats from Sarah at Send the Dog a Bone, bandanas and bow ties from Kim at Leo, Charley and Me, paw balm from Keri at The Dog and I, bespoke bowls and a lead station from Sarah at Albies’s Boutique, dog robes from Margaret at Dog Robes, and biscuits and long-lasting chews from The Canine Menu.
The cottage logo is a beautiful illustration of Sunnyside and was created by Jessica Hogarth, who has a shop in the village.
I know some people have raised an eyebrow at how much I spend on guests. A stranger in a pub once told me it was stupid.
But people come back, they feel looked after, and that will always matter more to me than unsolicited advice and being told I’m ridiculous.
Getting the word out about Sunnyside Cottage
My journalism background means I’m comfortable spotting a story angle and knowing what to do with it.
Over the past couple of years, Sunnyside Cottage has been called ‘Yorkshire’s most dog-friendly holiday cottage’ twice by the Yorkshire Post, featured in Yorkshire Living’s dog-friendly supplement, and appeared in Your Dog magazine.
We came third in the most dog-friendly single cottage category at the Dog Friendly Awards two years running, and won the Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday award.
I work with influencers too. Kate from Dotty4Paws and Sal from Woof Wag Walk both came when I first opened, and Kate and Sal came back again last year.
In March 2026, Nathan from The Yorkshireman visited with his partner and his dog Stella and created some of the most beautiful content about Sunnyside and Robin Hood’s Bay.
You can watch it on YouTube below.
The Yorkshireman’s YouTube piece on Robin Hood’s Bay
We also had a viral post about Storm Chandra, which was totally unexpected. Watch it here on Facebook.
I went down to the bottom of the hill when the weather was absolutely wild, filmed it with one hand because the wind was too strong for two, posted it with the storm hashtag, and it’s since had over three million views across Instagram and Facebook.
The Storm Chandra post that went viral on Facebook
Things like this can seem ‘lucky,’ but it’s helpful to remember that before this vital post, there were 594 posts before that one that barely anyone noticed.
It happened because I’ve spent years learning about journalism and news sense, and because I’ve invested tens of thousands of pounds in social media and marketing over time.
The viral moment is the visible bit. The iceberg underneath it is everything else.
I’ve invested in Instagram training with Camilla Richardson at Pink Storm Social, starting in January 2026, which has helped build my confidence, improved my skills and led to me posting more.
I’ve had one direct booking from Instagram so far as I’m writing this post in April 2026.
Press coverage, viral reels, influencer visits – none of it delivers an overnight flood of bookings.
You just have to keep going, keep experimenting, and trust that it’s all adding up.
The people who make Sunnyside Cottage the welcome place it is
I can’t talk about Sunnyside without talking about Sam and Sian from Baytown Holiday Cottages, who manage the property.
They are not just a cottage management company. They are friends, and I genuinely cannot put a price on what they’ve meant to this whole thing.
Over the years they’ve supported me through a lot of personal challenges and I know that they are always there to make sure everything runs smoothly.
They’ve dealt with a boiler making alarming noises, a lock that broke while a guest was inside, water coming through a window in a storm, water through the roof, and a smoke alarm battery that wouldn’t stop beeping.
Every time, they’ve just sorted it. They’ll probably say it’s just their job, but it really isn’t, they go above and beyond.
What Sunnyside Cottage bookings are like now
Bookings aren’t as strong as they were this time last year, and I think it’s important to say that out loud rather than pretend everything’s rosy.
We’re in a cost-of-living crisis. Going out costs more, fuel costs more, and a conversation with Sam about what it actually costs a family to spend a day in Whitby has stayed with me.
People are reticent about spending because of what’s happening globally. We have a war currently in Iran, and economic and political unrest in the UK and worldwide.
What that means for me is keeping going anyway because people need a break, they need something to look forward to.
That means talking about the cottage, sharing what makes it special, making sure every single person who stays has an experience they want to tell people about.
Want to visit Sunnyside Cottage in Robin Hood’s Bay?
We’re a dog-friendly holiday cottage right in the heart of one of Yorkshire’s most beautiful coastal villages.
Bookings are through Baytown Holiday Cottages, and you can follow us at @sunnysidettagerhb on Facebook and Instagram.
Here’s the booking page: https://baytownholidaycottages.co.uk/our-cottages/property?s=sunnyside-cottage-robin-hoods-bay
If you’re a pet business or dog-friendly property owner who wants support getting your story out there, my 2026 Pet Business Content Planner has all the tools I use myself.
It includes all the animal-related awareness days, an audience tracker, reflection prompts and more.
I have a few copies of this year’s edition available in April 2026 as I’m publishing this post. It’s £20 and available at rachelspencer.co.uk/shop.
Further reading/listening
Lessons learned from my first year running Sunnyside Cottage
Doing visibility my way at Sunnyside Cottage
Should you buy my Pet Business Content Planner?
The rollercoaster of running your own business
The Theo Paphitis SBS award and how it can help your pet business
