13 Guest-Ready Essentials That Take Hosting Up a Notch

I'm a difficult house guest! I worked in hospitality for years and have fixed ideas about how I like to host visitors in my home and give them a comfortable stay.

I like to offer thoughtful touches that are unique to the guests to let them know they are welcome. Their favorite flowers in the bedroom and a selection of toiletries you know they like go a long way to letting your guest know that your home is their home.

If you want to be the “hostess with the mostest,” these are the fourteen things I always have on hand for house guests to create an enjoyable five-star experience.

1. Bedding and Towels

luxury bedding comfortable clean bedroom view of bed with simple pillow and lamp on nightstand whites and neutrals depositphotos id 123375406
Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

Basic good bedding and clean towels can be elevated by choosing quality fabrics. Don't forget to include extra pillows and blankets too!

You're aiming for your guest room to feel as loved and cared for as every other room in your home, and not some pokey corner that shouts, “I'm not concerned about my guest's comfort.” You can make towel shapes and add chocolates on pillows for an extra thoughtful touch.

2. Wi-Fi

happy African American millennial woman as social media addict - night lifestyle portrait of young beautiful and cool black girl texting or online dating on mobile phone in bed smiling cheerful
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

I'm assuming you, like 91.2% of American households, have Wi-Fi. It would be rude not to offer guests access when they come to stay.

I like to leave a note with the name and password on the nightstand so that my guests don't have to disturb me if they plan on surfing in the middle of the night.

3. Charging Plugs and Cables

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Most of us travel with the right charging equipment for our phones, but I'm sure you've forgotten to pack these essential items on occasion. I know I have!

All my guest bedrooms have an outlet near the bed or an extension cord if the socket is awkward to reach. I also provide a selection of chargers and cables for Apple and Android phones so my guests can charge overnight.

4. Fresh Flowers

A bright and cheerful bedroom with floral wallpaper, a light green nightstand, and yellow accents.
Image Credit: YAY Images.

As a child, I remember the ritual of my mom going into the garden to pick whatever was in bloom for a vase on the nightstand when guests were expected.

Since you may not have a garden, a small potted plant or vase of store-bought flowers does the job just as well. During the holidays, a miniature decorated Christmas tree is a lovely touch. This small act is quite powerful and shows your guests the time and effort you've taken to welcome them.

5. Tissues

Kleenex box, sick, illness, tissue.
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Leaving a box of tissues on the nightstand is simple, but it's another caring touch that means your guests don't have to look around for scratchy and uncomfortable toilet paper at night.

A regular box is fine, but in keeping with the room, a decorated box cover adds a touch of style to an everyday item.

6. Toiletries

Luxury bathroom with corner bathtub and wooden accents.
Image Credit: YAY Images.

Most guests will bring their own face creams and toothpaste. I like to provide a selection of toiletries for guests, which I put into a small basket with a personalized note.

I always include toothpaste, a spare toothbrush, cotton rounds, shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner. I also like to leave a tube of hand cream and a pillow spray on the nightstand.

7. Hairdryer

Young caucasian woman getting ready in a bright white modern bathroom. Woman doing her skincare, cleaning her face, teeth and body int he bathroom.
Image Credit: YAY Images.

Most guests don't want to carry their hairdryers around, and as many hotels provide, compact travel hairdryers are a thing of the past.

Adding a hairdryer to an easy-to-find drawer in the guest bedroom is another consideration that gives your guest room a hotel feel. It's an item you can set and forget, and your guests will greatly appreciate it.

8. Snacks

Gluten-free vanilla donuts with pink icing
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If your guests are night owls or early birds, a basket of snacks will be a welcome addition. After all, how comfortable would you be rummaging around your host's fridge when you get an attack of the munchies?

Add options like packaged cookies, pretzels, chips, popcorn, good-quality chocolates, or a basket of fruit. If you know your visitor has a particular penchant for donuts, for example, a plate of these would be a real treat!

9. Ceiling or Floor Fan

Stand alone fan in front of a bed.
Image Credit: Izzy Nicholls.

If your company is coming to stay in summer and you don't have air-conditioning or a ceiling fan, provide a stand-alone fan. This simple touch could make the difference between a good and bad night's sleep.

Provide a fan with a night mode to keep the noise down. Make sure it has a long enough cable to plug in and is located in an effective position.

10. Extra Toilet Paper

Close-up of tubes of toilet paper in hands, toilet room interior.
Image Credit: YAY Images.

The embarrassment of asking your host for a roll of toilet paper is excruciating, and no guest should be subjected to that!

When I clean and prepare the guest bathroom, I always leave double the amount of toilet rolls I think a guest needs, using a rough calculation of one roll per day per couple.

11. Local Information

If you want it, youll work for it. a confident young man studying some paperwork while sitting on his bed at home
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If you live in a popular tourist spot that your visitors may want to explore, a folder full of local information will be very well received.

Collect leaflets from your local tourism office and include community newsletters and recommendations of places to eat. If you have discount vouchers to add, this is even better.

12. Water

woman reaching over for glass of water on nightstand next to bed.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

Your guests may be happy to drink from the bathroom tap, but it's much nicer to provide bottled water. If you don't want to use plastic bottles, use filtered water in a glass carafe.

Add a couple of drinking glasses to the nightstand so your visitors can stay hydrated overnight.

13. Bath Robe

Woman in towel and bathrobe holding cosmetic cream in modern bathroom
Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

Hanging a bathrobe on the back of the guest bedroom door is a lovely touch, especially if your visitors have to leave their bedroom to use the bathroom.

Most people don't pack their robes and may be uncomfortable wandering around your home in their nightwear. Give them the full hotel experience with a plush white robe, maybe one even monogrammed with a design to personalize it to your home specifically.

Author: Izzy Nicholls

Writer for The Gap Decaders. Expert in European travel, road trips, motorhome & RV travel, overland travel, van life, adult gap years and how to live the dream!

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