Having people over to stay can be fun and exciting, but there is a lot of pressure on you as the host to make your overnight guests feel comfortable and welcome. Some people have a natural flare for hosting and are always considerate, caring, and think of all the little things. But don’t worry if that isn’t you, because here are five tips to make sure you are an amazing host to your overnight guests and they have a pleasant and enjoyable experience in your home.
1. Have a Comfy Guest Room
Comfort is essential when it comes to hosting people overnight. You don’t want them to have a terrible sleep in a hard and uncomfortable bed, crammed into your spare room and surrounded by all your clutter. You want your guests to feel welcome and at home, so the first thing to do is make sure your guest room is comfortable and inviting. Have simple yet sophisticated décor with a touch of personality, pick out one of the best mattresses so your guests have a wonderful sleep and provide them with the comfiest cushions and pillows.
2. Bathroom Essentials
Lugging around towels isn’t fun; they take up so much space in your bag and then you may have to pack them while they are still wet, where they go all musty and unappealing. To be a great host, provide your overnight guests with fresh, fluffy towels and let them know they will have them before they arrive. It is also a good idea to set out some essential toiletries for them to use in the bathroom just in case they forget anything or so they can lighten their packing load by leaving their big bottles of shampoo at home.
3. Meal Preparation
Depending on what time your guests arrive, you may want to provide an evening meal to welcome them to your home. Alternatively, you could take them out and show them some of the sights of the area at the same time. Whatever you decide to do in the evening, a great overnight host will always have something ready and prepared for breakfast, it is the most important meal of the day after all! Make sure you are aware of any allergies or food preferences so you can put together a fantastic spread in the morning.
4. Provide Information and Suggestions
If they are going to be doing a bit of exploring, as you are the host and you know the area, you can put together some ideas of things to do, areas to visit and places to eat. You don’t want to regiment your guests time here, so give them suggestions and options and let them pick what they want to do themselves. A great host will have the knowledge and ideas, but give guests the freedom to decide. Factoring in time for them by themselves and asking if they want to do so is considerate, even if they turn around and tell you to just come with them, a good host will always give the option.
5. Don’t Wait on Them
Obviously, they are your guests and you want them to relax and enjoy their time in your home. But many people will feel much more comfortable staying if they can help you in some sort of way. If one of your guests asks if they can do something while you are cooking dinner or clearing away, you aren’t obliged to say no. Let them take on a small task like putting things in the dishwasher or setting the table and have a chat to them at the same time so they feel less like an intruder.
To be a great host, you need to be considerate and accommodating; be yourself and follow these tips to make sure your guests have a wonderful experience in your home.
