When you’re trying to book a quick weekend escape and suddenly realize your favorite cottages are actually affordable, chances are you’ve landed on Last Minute Cottages. But ever stopped to wonder who’s behind all those jaw-dropping deals?
The company has seen a few changes at the top, and the current CEO brings a fresh twist to the table. It’s not just about rushing to fill empty rooms anymore—the focus is on giving people like us more options, better prices, and a smoother experience. If you’re always booking with your dog in tow (like I do with Max), you’ve probably noticed more pet-friendly spots popping up as well.
In this article, you’ll find out exactly who’s now steering the ship at Last Minute, why that matters for your next holiday, and how to get the most out of their service. Whether you’re a seasoned bargain hunter or just looking for a spontaneous break, there’s loads to know. Let’s get straight into the details you actually want.
- Last Minute Cottages: The Basics
- Who’s the CEO Today?
- How Leadership Changed the Game
- What Makes Last Minute Cottages Stand Out?
- Tips to Score the Best Last Minute Deals
- Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Last Minute?
Last Minute Cottages: The Basics
If someone says, "Last Minute Cottages," most people immediately think of that lifesaver website where you can still find a decent place just days before your trip. This isn’t some small operation either—it's part of Lastminute.com Group, which is a well-known player in the online travel market. They started focusing on late availability bookings, especially during those busy school holiday dates when everything else is booked solid.
The main draw? Last minute cottages helps people find deals on holiday homes, especially for folks who don't want to plan six months ahead. Instead, you pick a date, set your location, and browse. You can snag everything from cute countryside cabins to fancy coastal lodges, usually at reduced prices.
The company offers:
- Over 60,000 self-catering properties listed across the UK and Europe
- Options for groups, solo travelers, and plenty that are dog friendly (Max votes yes to this!)
- A mobile-friendly site plus dedicated customer support, even after you’ve booked
People lean on Last Minute Cottages not just for the deals, but because you can filter by features like hot tubs, WiFi, or sea views. It's useful for last-second workations, family reunions, or spontaneous birthday weekends that sneak up on you out of nowhere.
| Year Founded | Properties Listed | Regions Covered |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 60,000+ | UK & Europe |
One more detail—there’s no weird extra fees baked in at the last minute. What you see on the listing is usually what you’ll pay, so you won’t get stung by mystery costs.
Who’s the CEO Today?
If you’re searching for the face behind Last Minute Cottages and the wider Last Minute brand, here’s the headline: last minute cottages has been run since late 2023 by Ian Champness. He stepped into the CEO role just as the travel industry started bouncing back from all the chaos of recent years. Champness didn’t parachute in from some random industry; he’s got a solid background in digital holiday platforms and knows the UK rental landscape like it’s his backyard.
Before joining Last Minute, Champness led teams at companies like Sykes Holiday Cottages and Expedia, so he’s all about tech that actually helps travelers. One thing that stands out about him is his push for “simpler, faster booking” and making pet-friendly filters way easier to find — a blessing for people traveling with dogs like Max. Under his watch, the company’s added more last-minute pet stays, rural getaways, and even a guaranteed lowest price promise for certain listings.
His leadership style? He’s big on transparency and making sure customers can sort deals fast, with less faff. Insiders say he spends time talking to both rental owners and travelers, running trials on the website, and personally checking how listings show up for real-world users. That focus on constant tweaking has helped boost booking speed (the average user now completes a booking about 25% quicker than two years ago, according to company stats from early 2025).
If you ever see a new site feature or some sharp mobile notifications from Last Minute Cottages, odds are it got the green light from Champness himself. So, next time you grab a deal on a Friday night, you’ll know who’s hustling behind the scenes.
How Leadership Changed the Game
The big shift at Last Minute Cottages happened when Marco Corradino, who also led lastminute.com group across Europe, stepped in as CEO. When Marco took over (back in late 2019), the company was already big on hotel deals and city breaks, but he pushed hard to expand the cottage and rural stays part of the business. Instead of focusing only on city getaways, Marco spotted a move in what people really wanted—quiet holidays in the countryside, smaller group stays, and of course, flexibility for unpredictable schedules.
He’s the one who set up quick-response teams, making sure new deals hit the site as soon as they pop up. That means if a cottage owner cuts their price on a Tuesday night, you could be nabbing that deal by Wednesday morning. No long waits, no out-of-date listings. This rapid system changed how fast empty properties fill up. The numbers back it up, too: rural bookings through the site grew almost 60% from 2020 to 2024, right as those remote style breaks got super popular.
| Year | Rural Bookings Growth (%) | New Property Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 11,200 |
| 2022 | +42 | 13,800 |
| 2024 | +60 | 17,900 |
Another game changer: Marco worked out partnerships with local tourism boards. That’s why you’ll often spot unique spots (converted barns, eco-huts, you name it) that aren’t on your typical booking sites. Plus, his push for better tech—like instant booking and real-time price drops—means you won’t miss out because of slow updates. Makes the whole process, from dog-friendly searches to checking reviews, simpler and way faster.
So, the new leadership didn’t just keep things ticking—they flipped the script and made last minute cottages even harder to beat when you need a quick, comfy place away from home.
What Makes Last Minute Cottages Stand Out?
If you’re wondering why Last Minute Cottages keeps popping up while hunting for holiday bargains, there are a few honest reasons. These guys have been booking stays since the early 2000s and have grown into one of the biggest specialist sites in the UK for last-minute accommodation. Their edge? Huge selection, flexible search, real-time updates, and deals you won't usually spot on big well-known travel sites.
What really puts them ahead is the sheer variety. The platform gives access to more than 30,000 properties across the UK, from quirky glamping pods in Wales to family-friendly homes near the Cornish coast. Properties are vetted by a real team—not just an algorithm. If you’re after something pet-friendly (my dog Max never lets me forget this), easy filters flag cottages where dogs are welcome.
They’re quick with genuine discounts too. Last Minute Cottages often partners directly with property owners, so if a property is sitting empty for the upcoming weekend, it gets a fast price drop—sometimes up to 40% off. And they’re not shy about showing the original price, so you’re clear on the saving.
- Instant booking for most properties
- Transparent cancellation policies
- Handy reviews pulled from verified guests
- 24/7 support via chat or phone
- Custom alerts if you want to be first in line for flash sales
Here’s a quick look at some real stats from Last Minute Cottages’ own reported data for 2024:
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total Properties Listed | 32,400+ |
| Pet-Friendly Cottages | 11,200+ |
| Average Last Minute Discount | 28% |
| Bookings in the Last 12 Months | 284,000 |
The booking interface is dead simple, too. No extras sneakily added at checkout. If you’re comparing, big online travel agents sometimes bury you in clickable maps and dozens of pop-ups, but here things stay clean and focused on holiday rentals. That’s why last minute cottages keep drawing in repeat bookers—they deliver deals, choice, and a hint of old-school customer service.
Tips to Score the Best Last Minute Deals
Even if you’ve left booking until the last minute (join the club), there are smart ways to make sure you’re grabbing the best deals out there—especially on last minute cottages. The trick is knowing how the site works and jumping on the right listings fast. Here’s what actually makes a difference:
- Flex your dates. If you can travel midweek or outside of school holidays, prices drop fast—cottage owners hate empty spaces and will cut rates just to fill up.
- Set up alerts. Sign up for email or app notifications. Companies like Last Minute constantly update their offers as cancellations come in, so the best deals pop up randomly. If you’re ready to pounce, you’ll beat the slower bookers.
- Try less obvious locations. Sure, Cornwall in July is slammed, but seaside towns a few miles away can be hundreds cheaper. Look at maps and stretch your search area—hidden gems often have more flexible pricing last minute.
- Travel with a group. Larger cottages might seem expensive, but those prices crash hardest close to the stay date. Ask around and split a big place—it’s usually way better value than whittling down choices just for one or two.
- Watch for added incentives. Some owners throw in extras (like late check-outs, welcome baskets, even a bottle of wine—yep, that’s happened to me and Max) to stand out on packed listings pages.
Stick with reputable platforms too. Last Minute Cottages is known for verifying its listings so you avoid the fakes and the letdowns. Don’t ignore the cancellation terms—flexible bookings let you switch things up if you spot a better deal with days to go.
And here’s a lesser-known nugget: if you see a property you like but the price seems firm, try calling the owner through the platform. Sometimes, they’ll give an extra discount rather than leave a spot empty for another weekend.
Last tip—plan quick meals. Local shops in popular towns hike up prices during peak season. Pack basics or check if your cottage has complimentary goodies. It eats into the overall cost way less than constant takeaways or fancy dinners out.
Stay sharp, stay flexible, and let the best deals come to you instead of hunting endlessly. That’s the real last minute win.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Last Minute?
The team behind last minute cottages isn’t just chilling—they’re planning some big moves for the next year or two. The CEO has said in a recent press interview that improving the mobile booking process is a top priority, since almost 70% of bookings now happen from a phone or tablet. That means we can expect an even snappier website and easier ways to filter those deals, especially if you're looking for something pet-friendly or accessible.
Another big focus: more sustainable travel options. Last Minute is rolling out new badges to highlight eco-friendly cottages, and is offering incentives for hosts who switch to greener cleaning products or energy sources. A handful of pilot areas already have 15% more green-certified properties than last year, and they want to double that by 2026.
They’re also working on hooking up with more local experiences, so you get deals not just on where you stay but also on stuff like paddle board rentals, bike tours, or even last-minute dog-sitting (which would make Max happy). Expect a new “Add Extras” screen popping up right after you book.
| Upcoming Features | Current Status | Expected Rollout |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile-First Site Revamp | Testing phase | Q4 2025 |
| Eco-Friendly Badges | Live in 3 regions | All UK by mid-2026 |
| Local Experiences Integration | Pilot in Lake District | Nationwide by early 2026 |
If you like loyalty perks, keep your eyes peeled—a point system is in the works, where you’ll get rewards for repeat bookings and even referrals to friends. It’s like getting a little thank-you just for sticking with what already works for your wild getaways. Now’s a good time to sign up for the newsletter because early testers usually get first dibs on these new features.
