Talk to me about hosting OOT house guests

lyndausvi · July 2014

So I love to be a good hostess and am always looking for new ways to make our guests have a positive experience. Right now I setup our guests room with the following:

On the nightstand:

Power strip. Huge hit because we all have multiple crap to plug in. Now the guests do not have to play the "where is there an empty plug game?"

Bottle of water

small note with WiFi access codes

light for reading

Empty drawers in the dresser.

Space and hangers in the closet to hang up clothes.

Bathroom:

shampoo

conditioner

Body wash and unopened bar of soap taken from a hotel

easy access to towels and wash cloths.

Hooks on the back of the door to hang up whatever they want

extra razors, toothpaste and toothbrushes and "lady supplies" in a drawer just in case.

So does anyone have any suggestions that would make your stay more comfortable? I like to take care of small details that are not deal breakers, but make you think "wow, how thoughtful".

mysticl · July 2014

Maybe some snacks in case they feel uncomfortable going through your kitchen in the middle of the night.

jnrsgirl · July 2014

Sounds like you have it all covered. Although the snacks idea is amazing too.

Ven&Radio · July 2014

Going along with the snack suggestion, have some fruit in the house. I always feel like I eat a ton of crap when I travel and being able to grab an apple or something when I need a snack makes my day.

You sound like an excellent hostess.

manateehugger · July 2014

So, uh, when can I come stay with you? Sounds lovely.

Anyway, you've got most of the details totally covered (except maybe a bottle of lotion somewhere handy), so all I've got are kind of superfluous things.

-Parking and Keys: Let me know beforehand where I can/should park if it's not obvious and leave me a spare key if I'll need it.

-I'm a big reader, so I love when there are books laying around the room I'm in or when my host gives me the go ahead to pursue her library.

-My sister always keeps fresh flowers around when people are coming over (including in the guest bedroom), which I think is lovely.

climbingsingle · July 2014

I think all of that is awesome. But I agree that snacks would be cool too! You're a great host!

JCbride2015 · July 2014

You sound like such a great host! My guest room is the couch.

I also love when there is something to read around the house. If there's a TV in the guest room, leave it turned on the to Guide channel or print out a little channel guide to put next to it.

lyndausvi · July 2014

PDKH said:

So, uh, when can I come stay with you? Sounds lovely.

Anyway, you've got most of the details totally covered (except maybe a bottle of lotion somewhere handy), so all I've got are kind of superfluous things.

-Parking and Keys: Let me know beforehand where I can/should park if it's not obvious and leave me a spare key if I'll need it.

-I'm a big reader, so I love when there are books laying around the room I'm in or when my host gives me the go ahead to pursue her library.

-My sister always keeps fresh flowers around when people are coming over (including in the guest bedroom), which I think is lovely.

Great ideas.

I do give a set of keys to the guests so they can come and go as they please.

lyndausvi · July 2014

We do have a TV, good idea about a guide.

Maybe I will just put instructions on the card that has the WiFi info on the basics of how to find the guide on the remote.

I would take credit for being good host, but really I learned it all from my parents. I just added stuff like a power strip as times have changed. Or the razors because, well I seem to forget them when I travel. Toothpaste because more than once I've run out of toothpaste because I use the little travel size and forget to check before I leave on the next trip.

wandajune6 · July 2014

You're an awesome hostess! I love your ideas and the suggestions from the PPs. My favorite is definitely the power strip though- we always keep one in our guest room-like space too.

JaxInBlue · July 2014

Ditto PPs about the snacks. Also, a glass in the bedroom or bathroom if you don't already have one. And, again if they aren't visible in the bathroom, some small bottles of pain reliever, sinus meds, Pepto/Tums - first aid type things guests might need because they're in a new climate, eat more or more adventurously than usual, etc. And maybe a note about where to find an extra towel, pillow, or blanket.

ETA: no more extra punctuation

sophhabobopha · July 2014

So I'll arrive on Friday, then?

MyNameIsNot · July 2014

I keep a set of hotel style robes in the guest room because the bathroom is not an en suite. I personally hate having to dress in the humid bathroom, and I don't want guests streaking through my hallway in towels. _____________________________ I'm considering getting a luggage stand so that it's much easier to live out of suitcases. This is partially because I wish my SIL would quit putting her suitcase on my antique dresser and scratching it. ________________________ Oh, and now there's a small ironing board in the guestroom. Also inspired by SIL, who burnt the bedspread. _________________________ ETA lines, since paragraphs aren't an option.

theartistformerlyknownas · July 2014

All I can think is maybe some mouthwash, contact solution and/or eye drops (especially if they've flown), and Band-Aids in case of blisters because I ALWAYS end up with blisters when I travel anywhere. I also seem to always forget deodorant but that's not really a very easily-reusable thing to keep handy for guests unless it's a spray kind.

You are an excellent hostess!

lyndausvi · July 2014

Great ideas ladies. Next time I'm at Target I will hit up the travel/trial aisle for some items like mouthwash, pepto, advil or something similar. I can make a small basket that fits in the drawer and pull it out when guests come.

We have a Keurig with the pods sitting on the counter that I point out when I give them the "tour". I try and make sure their favorite drinks items are already in the house. If I'm not sure then I ask before they get here.

RebeccaB88 · July 2014

I know people who have frequent guests who go so far as to put a mini fridge, microwave, and Keurig in their guest rooms, so guests can have their own whenever they want it, and not have to bother the homeowners if they want coffee, a beverage, or a snack in their rooms.

An iron and portable ironing board is a great idea. So is a luggage rack, so your furniture doesn't get scratched. I love the power strip idea. Maybe an extension cord too?

I'm picky about my toiletries, but some pain reliever, bandaids, and Tums at least would be a great touch. Contact lens solution and an extra case. Even a new toothbrush might come in handy for someone.

Extra blankets, pillows, towels, or where to find them. Also, an idea of when would be convenient for them to do laundry and where those supplies are. Extra toilet paper, or lightbulbs if one burns out in the middle of the night, or when you aren't home.

Talk to me about hosting OOT house guests

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