What things make you feel really comfortable when staying over at someone’s house?

[SteaknSalad]

We recently moved into a new house and now have a spare bedroom, so we can have guests to stay over. Our old flat was far too small to ever contemplate this! Our very first guests will be my PILs over this Easter weekend, and I want them to feel really relaxed, welcomed and at home.

What things, big or small, help you to feel comfortable and relaxed when staying as a guest at someone’s home?

My own bathroom

The hosts being away.

A bed side lamp, always a winner for me 👍

SIL has a bookcase in the spare room where she puts any books she has read. Then guests can choose one to take if they want. I love it and always find a gem I've never heard of.

Blackout curtains, power points for phone near bed, room not being obviously full of random junk 😉

Bedside table and lamp. Clean sheets.

clean sheets a bedside lamp and a plusg socket .

Comfy pillows. Pretty duvet cover. Mirror for hair and makeup. Bedside lamp

Slippers, dressing gown, towel . Shown where tea ,coffee etc is and encouraged to make own brew.
Bedside light and books in bedroom. Hot water bottle , extra cover/blankets .
proper sit down breakfast/brunch in morning!

It’s nice to have a mirror and a bin in a spare room.

Bin in the bedroom. Extra blanket. Big enough towels.

Warm enough.
A big enough bed. (Hate having to share a standard double now.)
Nice squashy pillows.
Ditto to a (good) bedside lamp.
Lack of stinginess with food/drink.

Ditto to books - Dbro and Sil always have lots to choose from.

bedside lamp

power access next to the bed so I can change devices and have them close

a trash can in the bathroom, preferably one that has a bin liner so hygiene products are less concerning . It’s amazing how many households don’t have a bin at all.

Bottle of water and a glass next to the bed. If you’re having a few drinks it’ll stop your guests stomping around the house in the early hours trying to find a glass

The people and how they act is the main thing. 😬

But in terms of stuff, our spare bedrooms have the same stuff our bedrooms that we use have, a tv, lots of pillows, comfy bed, black out blinds/curtains. Our guests usually get a dog too. 😂

1.Obviously clean and nice bed linen.
2.A bath sheet!
3.A fresh smelling aired room.
4.No personal householder stuff to get in the way or grubby trainers anywhere.
5.Some hanging method to hang some clothes or a bit of wardrobe space.
6.Decent mirror near a plug to dry my hair.
7.A small dish to put change or my jewellery in at night.
8.Decent curtains to block the early morning light.
9.A bed side clock.
10.A bedside lamp with a bulb bright enough to read by.
11.A small vase of fresh flowers.

Go for it!

Good quality mattress, and decent bedding.

Glass of water - without having to ask.

Things in the kitchen being in obvious places so I can make myself a cup of tea in case I wake up before the host.

Decent basic food and drink in.

Enough loo roll in the toilet in case it runs out.

And ideally a shower and toilet that work properly.

Decent temperature in the house.

My brother-in-law and his wife are atrocious hosts, and pretty much never have any of the above in.

100% cotton bedding. Polycotton bedding makes me sweat.

Clarity about which toiletries can be used. I usually bring my own anyway.

Dressing gowns if you have any to spare - in case they don't bring one.

Free access to drinks.
WiFi code
Clean bedding/towels (should be standard)
If the downstairs of the house gets chilli a clean blanket to snuggle up with.
Opportunity to chip in - I don't want to be waited on hand and foot, if I offer to peel the spuds let me!
Space to put my bag.
I love putting fresh flowers in the guest room.

It's really helpful to let people know what they will be able to access ie don't worry about bringing hairdryer etc.

-Mirror
-bedside table with lamp but also space for them to put glasses, book etc
-box of tissues
-clean sheets
-clean towels at end of bed
-extra blanket in case they’re used to a warmer house
-decent pillows, ideally two per person
-clock that doesn’t tick!

If the weather is good enough then open the windows for a few hours before they arrive so the room doesn’t smell stale. I also love a pot plant or two in a guest room to help the air stay fresh rather than stale.

Bedside lamps
Bedroom bin / or bathroom bin if there's an ensuite
Large fluffy towels
Spare phone chargers and plug sockets in obvious places
Plenty of pillows, an extra blanket or two on the bed
Full length mirror
Hooks or hanging space for clothes
Water bottles and glasses
Tissues
A folding suitcase rack is VERY useful , so much easier than having it on the floor

If there is a guest bathroom or ensuite , stock it with shampoo, shower gel, pretty soap, miniatures like toothpaste, toothbrushes etc in case the guests forget something.

Knowing the house rules...what time do people get up/ go to bed, do you take shoes off, rules around open windows, leaving bathroom door open in the night so you know if occupied (some of these might be specific to my parents!), What's the meal plan....to allow for biscuits in my bag if necessary.

In my house the spare room is downstairs (with own shower/loo) so we leave out tea/coffee etc so visitors can help themselves and if they are early risers make sure they know they can help themselves to breakfast.

Being told emphatically and with sincerity to help myself to tea/coffee/snacks etc.

Nothing worse than being in someone’s house and feeling like a burden because they have to constantly offer you beverages. So much easier to just make your own when it suits.

In terms of a room, I’ve put an Alexa Dot into each of our spare rooms. Handy for visitors as they can have the radio on without faffing with settings etc.

A decent bed, decent curtains that block out light and enough pillows.

Ideally my own bathroom too!

Feeling like I am really wanted as a guest and that I am not in the way! Feeling that I can be independent- so my own door key if I am staying more than half a day or so. Feeling like I can be totally at home in the kitchen... so, I hate having to wait and ask if I can have a cup of tea etc- nice to feel that hosts really want me to make snacks and drinks for myself.