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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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.