Guest rooms | Mumsnet

Cravey · 2021-10-06T09:46:24+00:00

So we are hosting for quite a few this year. All good, menus sorted, others bringing things. 3 couples in the house, all good. But we are putting a couple with 2 children in our garden room. It's heated and insulated so no worries. I've got a sofa bed in there abd they're bringing air beds for the children. There's a place for a kettle etc and I'm thinking of putting a mini fridge in there. Can you think of anything you would like in there ? They're having free fun of the house too, I'm just thinking of nice extras to make them extra comfy.

2me2u2u2me · 06/10/2021 11:16

I always put nice towels in the guest room for mine and toiletries if they've got use of their own bathroom, bottles of water, maybe snacks/books for the little ones, wifi password, magazine if they're going to be having some chilling time, bedside lamp, charger in case they forget.

PhoboPhobia · 06/10/2021 11:21

Bottles of water so they don't have to bring a drink out from the house if they want one by the bed at night.

Extra blankets for coziness. Is there somewhere for them to hang clothes in case they bring something that needs hanging?

OhFortheLoveOv · 06/10/2021 12:12

In past I have usually created a welcome basket on the bed with towels,mini toiletries and a mini bottle of fizzy etc and a tea tray with biscuits and treats on… its always been a hit …
This year though we have moved to smaller house so don’t have a guest room and son will be back from uni so am now in mild panic state about trying to figure out where oh’s mum and my elderly auntie are going to go

DFOD · 06/10/2021 12:19

Is it a garden room as in a detached cabin or a conservatory type extension?

If it’s the former does it have a loo? If not torches / lit path would help.

If it’s the latter then think how far away from the bathroom - would bath robes help? Will they get woken in the mornings if people are up in nearby kitchen or will the kids be kept awake at night if adults are up late at night.

Personally I give up my bedroom to guests and take the garden room myself.

Original poster

Cravey · 06/10/2021 12:47

@DFOD

Is it a garden room as in a detached cabin or a conservatory type extension?

If it’s the former does it have a loo? If not torches / lit path would help.

If it’s the latter then think how far away from the bathroom - would bath robes help? Will they get woken in the mornings if people are up in nearby kitchen or will the kids be kept awake at night if adults are up late at night.

Personally I give up my bedroom to guests and take the garden room myself.

It's a detached building, got a loo but no shower. Good ideas Thankyou. Would never have thought of water. They will be using the shower room downstairs I think, so will put new towels and toiletries in there. I'm thinking of a small tv for the children maybe ?

OP posts:

Mumdiva99 · 06/10/2021 12:55

How old are the kids? This would be a great solution on the one hand....kids can go to sleep earlier than the house. If they wake early no problem with their noise disturbing anyone. But....if they are young then parents might not want to leave them alone in there so would have to go to bed the same time as the kids.

I would love a kettle/tea making stuff for an early morning cuppa. Extra blankets in case it's cold. Let me know if you want me to bring bedding. Sounds like a fun time will be had.

DFOD · 06/10/2021 13:01

TV would be good if they don’t already bring their own iPad. Maybe a toaster. Depending how far away from the house - maybe umbrellas?

MrsSkylerWhite · 06/10/2021 13:02

How old are the children?

Original poster

Cravey · 06/10/2021 13:13

@Mumdiva99

How old are the kids? This would be a great solution on the one hand....kids can go to sleep earlier than the house. If they wake early no problem with their noise disturbing anyone. But....if they are young then parents might not want to leave them alone in there so would have to go to bed the same time as the kids.

I would love a kettle/tea making stuff for an early morning cuppa. Extra blankets in case it's cold. Let me know if you want me to bring bedding. Sounds like a fun time will be had.

9 and 5. I'm thinking they have iPads or similar. But have a small tv I can put in there. Bought extra blankets ( love tk maxx ). The children's mum and dad are really chuffed to be put down the garden, saves them paying silly money for air bnb. I'm thinking a mini fridge with milk and cold drinks. Snacks will be put in there. Tea and coffee stuff.

OP posts:

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 06/10/2021 13:17

That sounds ideal-and you are a lovely host!

what about breakfast stuff-will they have in house with you or is it separate?

Pain au chocolates, croissants or cereal but then that means bowls and spoons. Just DC that age may wake early so maybe something to hold them over.

Def think small tv.

Original poster

Cravey · 06/10/2021 13:34

@mumsiedarlingrevolta

That sounds ideal-and you are a lovely host!

what about breakfast stuff-will they have in house with you or is it separate?

Pain au chocolates, croissants or cereal but then that means bowls and spoons. Just DC that age may wake early so maybe something to hold them over.

Def think small tv.

Hopefully we will all eat breakfast in the house, but was thinking of cereal and pastries in case the children are starving first thing.

OP posts:

StCharlotte · 06/10/2021 13:42

I recently stayed with friends who provided bottled water and a range of painkillers - they definitely knew their audience

Talipesmum · 06/10/2021 13:46

Sounds lovely! Are there plenty of plug sockets? I always travel with an extension lead now, with extra usb slots, as even if there are sockets, they’re not always v convenient.

Jumpingintochristmas · 06/10/2021 14:21

Water, milk and tea would be greatly appreciated.
Mini boxes of cereal for the kids are handy and offer choice.
Some festive sweets as a treat for the adults when kids asleep.

The best thing I ever found in a guest room was a Christmas chick lit novel. We were visiting our lovely friends a few weeks before Christmas and I devoured it over three nights.

Original poster

Cravey · 06/10/2021 19:01

@StCharlotte

I recently stayed with friends who provided bottled water and a range of painkillers - they definitely knew their audience

Plenty of that will be provided. Gin is on order along with lots of bubbles.

OP posts:

Original poster

Cravey · 06/10/2021 19:02

@Talipesmum

Sounds lovely! Are there plenty of plug sockets? I always travel with an extension lead now, with extra usb slots, as even if there are sockets, they’re not always v convenient.

Bloody genius idea. There's not lot of sockets so that's a fab call. Thankyou x

OP posts:

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 06/10/2021 19:33

A Christmas blanket or throw ( even if its just for the children)
Christmas Toilet Paper (Aldi sell The Snowman loo roll)

You know you want to ............

TillyDevon · 06/10/2021 19:45

Gosh I like the sound of this, please can my family stay too

TheWatersofMarch · 06/10/2021 19:56

You are the hostess with the mostest,I'm sure your guests will have a lovely time.

foodtoorder · 06/10/2021 20:02

If they are staying for Christmas with childrenI would put some subtle decorations in there too.

Def some hooks or somewhere to hang clothes.
Bedside lamps.
A bin for any waste from tea/coffee biscuits etc.

I have children similar age, definitely make sure the WiFi reaches, pastries or biscuits for early morning wakers.

Thissucksmonkeynuts · 06/10/2021 20:09

My dsis went out with a TV chef for a while about 20 years ago. We went to stay at his house, in our rooms there were beautiful water jugs, glasses and bottles of fizzy water. It was the hight of sophistication to my youthful mind.

reluctantbrit · 06/10/2021 20:12

Kettle with tea or coffee bags and milk in a fridge and also some juice or soft drinks.

Some snacks and check if the children would like some mini cereal boxes if they are early risers, at that age they may sleep a bit longer. Muffins or brioche may also go down well. If you do food than think of plates, mugs, glasses, cutlery and napkins.

Torche and some spare batteries unless you put fresh ones in. An umbrella in case it starts raining and they need something from the house.

Ensure the wifi works.

Handsoap in the loo with a couple of towels and spare loo roll.

Bin

A housekey if they have to come in during the night or early in the morning and tell them about any alarm you may have on overnight.

Some decorations, nothing big but just a nice touch.

DFOD · 06/10/2021 20:52

@70isaLimitNotaTarget

A Christmas blanket or throw ( even if its just for the children) Christmas Toilet Paper (Aldi sell The Snowman loo roll) You know you want to ............

Loving this idea - spin it out with a ginger bread house, an extended bespoke “advent calendar” for the few days they are there, twinkly fairy lights, fake snow etc …. Like a little Lapland cabin !

HomeSliceKnowsBest · 06/10/2021 20:52

Bottle of booze for a night cap, glasses and box of chocolates.
Colouring books and felt tips for the kids (colouring in is always a winner!)
A surprise teddy under each child's pillow, those TY animals are popular and cheap.

HomeSliceKnowsBest · 06/10/2021 20:53

P.S. Are you taking guests this half-term please? It sounds fab!