If you travel any distance to see friends and stay at their home, what kinds of things would you appreciate upon arrival?
We frequently have weekend guests (couples, some with kids, some without) and I love to host them. I like to make their trip as easy as possible after the long drive, so I try very hard to be considerate and have some things prepared for them. For example, I am ALWAYS hungry, so I have a nice snack set out and/or dinner made upon their arrival. It saves them having to ask for something to eat or drink and makes them feel welcome (at least it would me!). I also put fresh towels and a fresh soap, loofahs, etc on top of their fresh sheets in their guest room. Sometimes I will put flowers in their room also, so long as I know there are no allergies.
I am looking for other ideas for things you, as a weekend guest who just traveled hours to get to the friend's home, would like to have available or given to you to make your stay wonderful.
Thanks!
I would LOVE to open a B&B! Unfortunately, real life gets in the way. If I could host and cook for people all day I would be in heaven. I would love to have all you ladies over! How fun would that be?!
Thanks for suggestions - keep them coming! Very much appreciated.
Seriously, did you see Schindler's List? Like at the end, when he has already helped so many people, he still regrets he hasn't done more.
You are sweet, and quite a gracious hostess! Let me know what dates you have open.
Our friends high school aged KIDS made special wrappers for the chocolate bars and put them on our beds. It was HYSTERCIAL! I love that family and wished we lived closer.
A relatively current magazine to flip through as I wind down for bed. In case I forgot to bring any reading material of my own.
In the guest room, keep some bottled water, tissues. Maybe in a night stand drawer keep some tylenol, pen and paper.
Wow - we all want to come and visit you! And you have some great suggestions from other posts. The only things I can think of to add would be 1) some packaged healthy snacks in their room (nuts, granola, crackers) so they can munch a little while they're unpacking and having some down time, and 2) water in a carafe in their room - I know bottled water sounds appealing but it's so wasteful and so bad for the environment in every way that there is a big push to get us to stop buying it. It's either city water from somewhere else (like Dasani or Aquafina) that was trucked to our neighborhoods, or it's unregulated spring water. If you think people don't like tap water, get one of those Brita water purifiers for tap water.
My in-laws keep a little basket in their bathroom for guests. It filled with little things you may forget...toothbrush, toothpaste,floss, travel sized deodorants,etc. It always seems to be appreciated and it's come in quite handy on more than one occasion.
We travel to visit friends in Vegas regularly - about a 6 hour drive. I've never though of anything, usually just them excited to see us (and some help carrying stuff in) is plenty. But what you do sounds very nice!
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Wow - you should open a bed & breakfast - can I come stay?
I want to stay at your house!! :) I always stock my bathroom full of supplies so they don't have to bring their own or dig the little travel sizes out of their bags. I always like that when I travel! We just had a family of 5 staying with us and we had baby soap and adult soap and tub toys, etc. all stocked in the bathroom. Plus, I got some extra kid-friendly ( and adult) snacks that we don't usually have on hand like Oreos and chocolate milk and that was fun for them and for my daughter since she never has chocolate milk! You could also do chocolate on their pillows...very hotel!
Hi S.!
All our family and many friends live out of town and overseas, so we have guests very often, and I love it! I understand what you do, I do the same as you.
Depending on the time people is arriving I have dinner, or breakfast or a snack
A basket of toiletries in the bathroom and fresh towels. I also leave other accessories that they might need like shower caps, sanitary pads, fresh scent body spray, hair dryer, new and sealed tooth brushes and toothpaste, crest bottle, etc. If someone is coming with babies or small children I keep diapers and wipes as well. (I still have a playpen available also)
In the bedroom there is a nice bowl with mints and a jar of water and glasses. I have some floral arrangements (no natural because of allergies) and extra pillows and blankets. There is a TV also and a radio just in case. A lamp with indirect light and, a pair of robes.
I keep potpourri on a basket over the night table (berries scent at the best!!!!)
When my friends or family come to visit us I place on the guest bed a little something, a present with a balloon, They love it! It doesn't have to be expensive: soaps, candles, lotions, M&M or little stuffed animals, etc.
Have a great day!
Having asthma, I appreciate no flowers, candles, or air fresheners. You are very considerate.
I will have to remember the water bottle suggestion as our water is disgusting even with a filtration system.
wow, you make me feel like a schlub! i generally have a pot of coffee and something to eat available, and fresh sheets on the bed. er.....that's about it. (the linen closet is in the bathroom so i generally just tell them that and leave 'em to it for towels and washcloths.)
i'm so stealing ALL the ideas in this thread!
:) khairete
S.
A friend of ours always has waters at the bedside tables and I always appreciate that :)
