“You definitely have the gift of hospitality” my husband tells me as he admires the details I put into welcoming our guests. I believe that those details, like stocking the baththub with bubble bath or leaving a basket of snacks out, are what make things memorable. I find beauty in the simple, thoughtful ways that I can serve my guests with love, flood them with kindness, and treat them like royalty. (But in all honestly, I do it with a little bit of selfishness, too, because I want them to visit again in the future!).
Do you want to treat your guests like royalty, too? Here are my favorite ways and top guest room essential that show hospitality to our guests.
Guest room Essentials:
Naturally, it’s best to provide a space for your guest’s luggage with either a luggage rack, the bottom of the closet, or a space on the floor.
Show your visitors where they can hang their clothing (including extra hangers) and which drawers are empty for their use.
It’s helpful to spread an extra blanket on the foot of the bed if they get cold, and to leave a small fan for if they get warm.
It’s nice to have an extra chair somewhere in the room, whether as a DIY bench at the foot of the bed or a chair at a desk or an over-sized armchair.
Point out where the outlets are, because we live in a day where everyone travels with at least one technology device. Bonus if you can provide an extension cord with extra plugs (for the phone, the table, the laptop, etc.).
Speaking of technology, writing down the wi-fi password is certainly essential! Why not display it in a cute little frame so it’s accessible for all of your future guests.
Displaying your wi-fi password in a cute frame allows your guests easy access to the internet during their stay.
Food Basket Essentials:
Although your guests are excited to see you, travel will often leave them fatigued, dehydrated, and hungry. I’ve found that leaving a small basket with food items on the dresser is a welcome surprise. Plus it removes the pressure of your visitor feeling like they have to ask for food or sneak in your kitchen at midnight.
You basket should definitely include water bottles, and perhaps juice if kids are staying, too. Snacks like crackers, granola bars, apples, nuts, and chocolate seem to be crowd pleasers. If your guests haven’t been to your town before, add in a few local goodies for them to sample. For me, that looks like a few packages of Tennessee’s GooGoo Clusters.
It’s also nice to have tea and coffee readily available for your guests. Perhaps you can slide a few tea bags and instant coffee into their food basket, or place them in an obvious spot on your kitchen counter. Be sure to leave out a tea pot, coffee pot, or water boiler kettle, plus mugs and sugar.
I would love to be welcomed with this cute basket and tasty treats!
Nightstand Essentials:
Whenever I travel to a new place, there is something comforting about knowing that I can read in bed to the dim light of the bedside lamp, just like I do at my house. Having a nightstand with a soft light is probably comforting to your visitors, as well. It’s also thoughtful to provide an alarm clock, a few books or magazines, a box of tissues, and a small trash can beside the bed.
Lamps, books, a clock, flowers, and art make for a stylish and functional nightstand.
Bathroom Essentials:
It never fails that I forget some sort of toiletry every time we travel. There are just so many small items to remember! I like to leave a basket on the counter with these essentials in case my guest forgot something (hair comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, q-tips, cottonballs, baby wipes, body lotion, and ibuprofen).
It’s helpful to leave extra toilet paper, a lint roller, room spray, feminine products, and extra towels under the sink.
I will usually set a stack of towels for each guest either on the guest bed or bathroom counter.
A fully stock holds shower with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shaving cream, and bubble bath, plus a fresh razor.
I love the idea of using a clear jar to display toiletries for your visitors.
For future guests…
It may feel overwhelming to cover so many details and provide so many small items for your guests. But, after the first time, it will feel natural! For future guests, the bathroom is already stocked, you will simply replace what toiletries was used and refresh the towels. The same thing applies to the bedroom, where you refresh the linens and create a new food basket. I’ve included a checklist below to help you gather the Guest Room Essentials and to welcome your visitors with love!
Your Guest Room Checklist:
Bedroom Essentials:
Chair
Luggage area
Extra blankets and pillows
Closet and drawer space
Wi-fi password
Outlets and extension cord
Food Basket Essentials:
Water and/or juice
Snacks: crackers, granola bar, apples, chocolate, nuts
Local goodies
Tea, coffee, and mugs
Nightstand Essentials:
Clock
Tissues
Water
Lamp
Magazine/books
Trash can
Bathroom Essentials:
In the shower: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shaving cream, and new razor
On the counter (in a basket or jar): hair comb, body lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, q-tips, cotton balls, ibuprofen
Under the sink: hair dryer, lint roller, feminine products, room spray, extra toilet paper, additional towels