Last-Minute Cottage Savings Calculator
How Much Can You Save?
Last Minute Cottages offers discounts of up to 60% for bookings made within 7-48 hours of check-in. Calculate your potential savings below.
Note: Discounts are based on Last Minute Cottages' typical pricing model. Actual savings may vary based on location, availability, and property type. Last Minute Cottages offers a 'No Questions Asked' cancellation policy for bookings made within 24 hours.
Last Minute Cottages is one of the UK’s biggest names in last-minute holiday deals, especially for cozy getaways in countryside cottages, seaside retreats, and rural escapes. But if you’ve ever booked a weekend away through their site and wondered who’s actually running the show, you’re not alone. As of early 2026, the CEO of Last Minute Cottages is Richard Huxtable.
How Richard Huxtable Took the Helm
Richard Huxtable didn’t start out at Last Minute Cottages. He came from a background in digital retail and customer experience, having led growth teams at major UK online travel brands. He joined Last Minute Group - the parent company of Last Minute Cottages - in 2019 as Head of Consumer Products. His job? To make booking last-minute stays simpler, faster, and more reliable for families, couples, and solo travelers.
By 2022, he was promoted to CEO of the entire Last Minute Group, which includes not just cottages but also hotels, flights, and activity packages. Under his leadership, the cottage division grew by 47% in two years, thanks to new filters for pet-friendly stays, accessible properties, and remote work-ready cabins with high-speed Wi-Fi.
What Last Minute Cottages Actually Does
Last Minute Cottages isn’t a property owner. It’s a booking platform that partners with independent cottage owners, small letting agencies, and regional tourism boards across the UK and Ireland. Think of it like Airbnb meets a local B&B network, but focused entirely on short-notice bookings.
Their magic is in timing. Most of their inventory becomes available just 7 to 48 hours before check-in. That’s when owners, who didn’t fill their calendars, open up their properties at steep discounts - sometimes 60% off. Richard’s team built an algorithm that predicts which cottages are likely to go unsold and automatically drops prices in real time.
They don’t just sell cottages. They sell spontaneity. A mum in Manchester books a two-night stay in the Lake District after her kids’ school closes early. A couple in Birmingham surprises each other with a log cabin in the Scottish Highlands after a rough week at work. These aren’t planned vacations. They’re emotional decisions - and Last Minute Cottages is built for them.
Why the CEO Matters
Most people think of CEOs as figureheads. But in a company like Last Minute Cottages, the CEO shapes how the product feels. Richard pushed for a redesign of the mobile app in 2023 to make it feel less like a booking site and more like a discovery tool. Now, when you open the app, you see photos of real guests laughing by fireplaces, muddy boots by the door, steaming mugs on wooden tables - not stock photos of empty rooms.
He also banned the use of the word “last chance” in marketing. “It creates panic,” he told his team. “We’re not selling fire sales. We’re selling joy you didn’t plan for.” That shift changed how people felt about booking on impulse. Returns and reviews improved.
He’s also the reason Last Minute Cottages now offers a “No Questions Asked” cancellation policy for stays booked within 24 hours. If your plans change, you get a full refund - no fine print. That’s rare in the vacation rental space.
How the Company Compares to Others
Last Minute Cottages doesn’t compete with Booking.com or Expedia. Those sites focus on planned trips, long stays, and global hotels. Last Minute Cottages is all about the UK’s hidden gems - a stone cottage in Cornwall, a shepherd’s hut in the Peak District, a converted barn in Northumberland.
Here’s how it stacks up:
| Feature | Last Minute Cottages | Booking.com | Airbnb | Love Holidays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | UK & Ireland cottages only | Global hotels and rentals | Global homes and experiences | Package holidays (flights + hotels) |
| Booking Window | Mostly under 48 hours | Weeks to months ahead | Weeks to months ahead | Weeks to months ahead |
| Price Drop Frequency | Daily, real-time | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal |
| Cancellation Policy | Full refund within 24h | Varies by property | Varies by host | Non-refundable on most deals |
| Property Type | Only cottages, cabins, lodges | Hotels, apartments, villas | Entire homes, rooms, unique stays | Resorts, hotels, all-inclusives |
That focus is what makes Last Minute Cottages different. You won’t find a 10-story hotel tower here. You’ll find a cottage with a wood-burning stove, a view of the hills, and a kettle that’s been there since 1982.
What’s Next for Last Minute Cottages
Under Richard’s leadership, the company is expanding its “Stay Local” initiative. This lets users book cottages within 50 miles of their home - perfect for quick recharge days. It’s not just for tourists. Teachers, nurses, and remote workers are using it to escape their own neighborhoods without flying anywhere.
They’ve also started working with local artisans. Each cottage now includes a small welcome basket with regional treats - honey from a nearby apiary, sourdough from a village bakery, Welsh cheese wrapped in cloth. It’s a small touch, but it turns a stay into a story.
And they’re testing AI-driven recommendations. If you’ve booked a dog-friendly cottage twice, the system suggests one with a fenced garden next time. If you always pick places with bathtubs, it highlights ones with clawfoot tubs by fireplaces.
There’s no big IPO plan. No global expansion. Last Minute Cottages isn’t trying to be the biggest. It’s trying to be the most human.
How to Reach Out or Learn More
If you’re curious about how the company operates, Richard occasionally shares insights in interviews with UK travel magazines and podcasts like The Weekend Escape and Travel with Purpose. The Last Minute Group’s corporate site lists him as CEO, but you won’t find a direct email or phone number - and that’s intentional. They want you to book a stay, not call the office.
For real-time updates, follow their Instagram account @lastminutecottages. They post unfiltered photos from guests - muddy paws, rain on windows, breakfast on the porch. It’s the closest thing to a CEO’s diary you’ll ever get.
Who is the current CEO of Last Minute Cottages?
As of early 2026, the CEO of Last Minute Cottages (and its parent company, Last Minute Group) is Richard Huxtable. He took over leadership in 2022 after leading the company’s product and customer experience teams. He’s known for focusing on spontaneity, real guest experiences, and simplifying last-minute bookings.
Is Last Minute Cottages the same as Last Minute Travel?
Yes, Last Minute Cottages is a division of Last Minute Travel, which is now called Last Minute Group. The group includes multiple brands: Last Minute Cottages, Last Minute Hotels, and Last Minute Flights. Each brand focuses on a different type of last-minute travel, but they share the same backend technology and leadership team.
Can I contact the CEO directly?
No, there’s no public email or phone line for the CEO. Last Minute Group believes customer service should be handled by their support team, not executives. If you have a question about a booking, use their 24/7 live chat or app support. They’re fast - most issues are resolved in under 15 minutes.
Does Richard Huxtable own Last Minute Cottages?
No, Richard Huxtable is the CEO, not the owner. Last Minute Group is owned by the private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, which acquired it in 2020. Richard leads the company but doesn’t hold a controlling stake. His influence comes from his leadership, not ownership.
Why does Last Minute Cottages only focus on the UK and Ireland?
They focus on the UK and Ireland because that’s where the demand for spontaneous, short-break getaways is strongest. People here have a culture of weekend escapes - no visa needed, no long flights, and a deep network of privately owned cottages. Trying to expand globally would dilute their core strength: finding hidden, local, last-minute spots that feel personal.