6 Special touches to make guests feel welcome

Virtually everyone these days has allergies, sensitivities, restrictions or preferences when it comes to food. So if you want to show how dedicated you are to making your guests happy, asking about what they’d like to eat while they’re staying with you is a kind gesture. Many guests will put their preferences aside and say they’re happy with whatever you offer, but for those with more serious concerns, the opportunity to let you know about their restrictions will be welcome. When they arrive and see a fridge that has been stocked with yummy things they can eat, they will definitely feel at home.

Being too warm or too cold throughout the night is never an enjoyable experience. Neither is sleeping on a pillow that doesn’t suit your body. To ensure your guests have everything they need before they drift off for the night, lay a few extra blankets on a chair in their room, and let them know they are welcome to help themselves. You can also point out where the linen closet is in case they want to trade their thin pillow for a plush one or vice versa. Your guests are spending a third of the time they’re at your home in bed, so make sure it’s a comfortable experience.

When you stay at an inn or hotel, is there anything more sweet than coming back to your room to find a chocolate on your pillow? This small gesture is an easy way to show how much you care about your guests’ comfort. They’ll drift off to sleep thinking how grateful they are to have the opportunity to stay with you.

Placing tags with each guest’s name around the table is a simple way to let them know they’re always welcome in your home. There are plenty of easy and creative DIY place card ideas that will add a special homemade feel to your table. Or if you don’t have the time, picking out a different cloth napkin for each individual guest that they know indicates their seat is also a nice addition.

Hygiene is an important part of feeling confident and comfortable in your environment. So your guests might feel out of their element when unable to clean themselves in the same way they’re used to. To put them at ease, lay a freshly laundered body towel, hand towel and washcloth on their bed, and let them know which washroom and shower they can set up in. For an extra-special touch, leave shampoo, conditioner and body wash you think they would like in the shower, and encourage your guests to use them. Whether or not they have forgotten their own and have to rely on your supply, the fact that you went to the trouble to ensure their needs are taken care of will say a lot.

Offering the guests you’ve been feeding and lodging for a few days a gift certainly isn’t necessary, but it will be the perfect way to showcase that you know how to go above and beyond in terms of hospitality. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive or fancy, just something that lets them know how much you enjoyed having them. If they’re visiting from another country, a small bottle of pure maple syrup or a box of maple candies will serve as a kind reminder. Or if they visit often and have commented on a certain picture frame or vase of yours they love, see if you can track down a similar one you can offer them. Every time they look at it, they’ll be reminded of your wonderful hospitality and how much fun they had while visiting.