Holiday cottages in the UK are getting classier as better quality homes become available and customers demand ever-improving quality.

Judges in this year’s Excellence in England awards say that many entrants in the self-catering category have been finished to four and five-star hotel standards.

“People are boosting their businesses by creating a distinctive appeal,” said Debbie Holden, part of the Excellence in England team. “There are so many self-catering properties out there that they realise they’ve got to stand out.” She praised this year’s winners for “doing something special” and not resting on their laurels.

The three finalists are the Thatched Cottage Company, which has nine self-catering cottages in Devon (see review of the Linhay, East Budleigh); Wolfen Mill Country Retreats, which has nine properties in Lancashire (01995 61574, www.wolfenmill.co.uk); and Shoreline Cottages, which has 18 properties in and around Whitby, North Yorkshire (see Captain’s Quarters review).

The judges said of the Shoreline property: “Very contemporary in design with quality furnishings, televisions, videos, CD players and good kitchens.” Improvements in technology at self-catering properties, they say, have been evident across the country.

Bruce Taylor, marketing manager for Miller Countrywide, an estate agent with 32 offices in Devon and Cornwall, said that two forces are behind the trend.

“People obviously want a higher return on their properties so they are doing them up very nicely, buying some really nice furniture,” he said.

“Another factor is that, in the long term, they are considering moving there themselves and want somewhere that they’re happy with.”

Here are our writers’ verdicts on six of the best upmarket holiday properties available to rent.

Captain’s Quarters, Whitby, North Yorkshire

WITH its commanding view of the harbour, it’s no surprise that this three-level, four-bedroom spread once found favour among salty sea dogs who would keep a keen eye on seafront comings and goings from the living room window.

Built in 1760, the skipper’s old place is neatly tucked away on an elegant stretch of Henrietta Street. Its gleaming cobblestones are immaculate, as though buffed to perfection by a dedicated team of elves every night. Hard to believe that this was once Whitby’s red light district.

But while the setting may be old, the interior is certainly not. Modern luxuries including a widescreen TV, dishwasher, microwave and washing machine, make the cottage, which sleeps eight, a comfortable weekend hideaway.

Times recommends

• Croatia: the flashing blades of Korkcula
• The best stopovers en route to Australia
• Chernobyl offers a holiday in hell