If you stayed at someone’s house what would you expect?

[Shutthedoorproperly]

I have visitors this weekend. It is sooo long since I had anyone to stay that I think I’ve lost the power of hosting! It’s at least a decade.

Someone tell me what I need to prepare/clean/sort! Thankyou!

Clean bedding, decent towel, soap, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel in the bathroom, check for allergies or dietary changes since last visit (eg have they gone vegan?). I would check whether they are comfortable dining inside if the plan is to eat out, some people are preferring to eat in the pub garden still.

This is MN, it's all 5-star hotel with turndown service - 'range' of sanpro in a basket, chocolates on the bed, Fortnum & Mason welcome hamper, White Company dressing gowns and slippers (that the guests can also take home), Jura Giga coffee machine at the bedside with barista on retainer, tenor to sing them to sleep.

For me it depends on whom I'm staying with. I don't expect much, though, after all, they're doing you a favour by providing accommodation.

I also wouldnt expect my own private bathroom. I wouldnt expect anyone to feel they had to knock up an ensuite. A clean family bathroom is fine.

@5128gap

I would have failed you then. Only recently moved to a house with bathroom locks, haven't had them in the last 3 houses (over 20 years) so still forget to use, dd is the same (adult) thankfully dp is not fazed (nor is she)

As an absolute minimum, a clean bed and clean towels (one for body, one for hands/hair) and a clean bedroom.

Nice to haves: a bedside lamp, WiFi code, being told where I can find the tea/coffee etc and whether I can help myself.

As others have said, any quirks with the house (how to turn the shower/TV etc on if they are tricky) would be good to know in advance.

And a general idea of what time people in the household get up, and if there is a shared bathroom whether anyone needs it at a particular time in order to get to work etc.

@Letsallscreamatthesistene, a loo brush, so that you can clean any skid marks, and not leave them for hosts to have to do it, with a ‘eeuww’ face?
If that’s weird, it’s news to me.

[quote GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER]**@Letsallscreamatthesistene, a loo brush, so that you can clean any skid marks, and not leave them for hosts to have to do it, with a ‘eeuww’ face?
If that’s weird, it’s news to me.[/quote]
Its not something ive ever considered as a thing someone should provide for me tbh

Clean bed, plenty of clean towels, well stocked fridge and wine rack. Don't be like an (ex) friend of mine who woke me up at 8am on the Sunday morning, asked me to get up as today was her day for washing the mattress covers on my bed. Nice.

I'd expect clean bedroom and bedding - even of it's the sleeping bag on an air bed type of stay.

Food/drink as appropriate although this might include me taking them out for a meal if a longer stay.

Extra towels for hairwash and toiletries would be nice but I'll probably have my own anyway.

Depending on the sort of stay some guidance about times to avoid the bathroom, meal times, plans for the day etc are useful.

I’m fairly sure there are people posting on here who are neither hosters or hosted very often. They are commenting like it’s the queen coming to stay or equating it to a b&b/hotel, 😂

Honestly clean and tidy, clean linen, towels left on the bed, make sure you’ve enough food in for meals and snacks and drinks etc. Job done.

I make sure the house is clean and tidy. Clean towels (and sheets obviously!) on their bed and nice shower gel etc to use in the bathroom. I like to have a basket of toothbrushes/samples etc which I put out in case they forgot anything.

I get in things to eat/drink that I know they like but equally when they ask me what to bring I do tell them. Don’t be a martyr! I also show them where the glasses/mugs/kettle is etc and tell them to help themselves although I of course offer a drink myself too!

I can’t believe you need to ask
Surely it’s largely common sense
Pick the dog hairs out of the breadbin and clean the loo and you’re good to go

Clean bed and bath and a warm welcome.

@WeIcomeToGilead

I can’t believe you need to ask Surely it’s largely common sense Pick the dog hairs out of the breadbin and clean the loo and you’re good to go

😂😂

@Bluntness100

I’m fairly sure there are people posting on here who are neither hosters or hosted very often. They are commenting like it’s the queen coming to stay or equating it to a b&b/hotel, 😂

Honestly clean and tidy, clean linen, towels left on the bed, make sure you’ve enough food in for meals and snacks and drinks etc. Job done.

Yes and they all have a guest bedroom with en suite decked out like The Ritz, none of that Premier Inn nonsense with a few sachets of Nescafe and Tetley.

No one ever brings their own toiletries or favourite beverages, etc.

More than one pillow.

Some of these responses are funny!

If I have guests to stay I provide what I would like if I stay at someone else's house: A clean bed, a clean towel each and a warm welcome. I think feeding your guests is a given isn't it?!

When I've stayed with others, I've usually asked how things are going to be/anything I should know.

I'm happy with a place to sleep and being told what food/drinks are okay for me to help myself to.

Good Lord! We're a family home, not a hotel.

So I would

1. Make up the spare bed
2. Treat them like a member of the family.

@mrsm43s

Good Lord! We're a family home, not a hotel.

So I would

1. Make up the spare bed
2. Treat them like a member of the family.

MNers all fall over each other to outdo each other in the OTT stakes when it comes to hosting. They all have these houses with 'guest suites' reserved for the Queen.

Id also make my guest aware that I have a 15mo that likes to wake up at 6 #sorrynotsorry but its a family home.

[quote motogogo]@5128gap

I would have failed you then. Only recently moved to a house with bathroom locks, haven't had them in the last 3 houses (over 20 years) so still forget to use, dd is the same (adult) thankfully dp is not fazed (nor is she)[/quote]
I don't mind in my house but am still traumatised at pushing opening a bathroom door at my friend's house to find her DH on the toilet. He didn't know there was visitors, and she didn't know he was in. He is such a dignified person too. To make matters worse, instead of just shutting the door, i panicked and said 'i thought you were supposed to be at work' to which he replied 'i managed to catch an earlier train' Only then did I unfreeze and shut the door.

@Sunshineandflipflops

Some of these responses are funny!

If I have guests to stay I provide what I would like if I stay at someone else's house: A clean bed, a clean towel each and a warm welcome. I think feeding your guests is a given isn't it?!

Apparantly not. Some think you need to be given the grand tour, shown what food and drink you can have, how things work and when the house hold wakes up. Like it’s an air bnb or something.

Oddest responses ever.

Definitely a clean bed. It's amazing how often I've been to stay with friends, and they've said something like, "Oh, X slept in it, but it was only for one night" (and then I look at it, and reckon it was probably more like a week). It really puts me off. I hate such a lack of effort.

But this, though:

I'd expect shower gel and shampoo in the bathroom - wouldn't care what kind

• I think that's a bit of a weird comment, to be honest. I always take everything like that with me. I wouldn't expect to use the host's toiletries.

But definitely a loo brush. It's essential! How else do you expect people to clean up after themselves, if that's necessary?

And provide something for breakfast. It doesn't matter if it's only toast and coffee, but something. I've stayed with far too many people who don't eat breakfast, and so they think no one else does, either.

Do clean bedding. Towels on bed. Clean house as much as you are able.
Do not over shop.
Plan simple meals, and what you normally have.
If they want wine, they can buy it.
Do not offer to pay for meals out. Tell them you can all go Dutch