Freshly made beds, everything is spotlessly clean, refreshments are ready… Here we present a few little tricks and ideas on hosting guests like in a hotel.

Do you have guests coming to spend the night? These tips are meant to be suggestions on how you can present yourself as the perfect host. As I said – these are only suggestions and ideas. You know best if this is suitable for your guest.

11 tips on hosting guests like in a hotel

Preparation and Welcome

#1 Shuttle service: Pick up your guest – even if you have to take the streetcar from the main station together, it is polite to have someone waiting at the platform to carry your bag for the last part of the journey. It’s also best to have water for your guest in case he or she is thirsty from the trip.

#2 Your apartment is cleaned and tidy.

#3 Your bedroom is the guest room and you sleep on the couch: offering a guest the folding mattress on the floor is generally accepted, but if you want to receive guests like in a hotel, they should get the best bed in the house! Freshly made, of course!

#4 Wardrobe space: your guest doesn’t have to live out of a suitcase – you’ve already created generous space in the closet and shelves.

#5 Refreshment in the room: In the room there is a water carafe and glasses and maybe a (homemade) snack on a tray.

#6 Care products in the bathroom: You can inform your guest in advance (as with a reservation confirmation) that he or she does not need to bring shampoo etc. with them. In the bathroom you can present the appropriate (sustainable) products nicely and provide fresh towels (towel and bath towel). However, you should do without small disposable packaging – just like our Green PearlsⓇ partners – according to the Zero Waste principle.

#7 Fresh flowers: A few fresh cut flowers in the room (whether a lush bouquet or a few blooms from the wayside) are a wonderful attention.

Going all out with service

#8 Food is ready: Depending on the time of day, you may have the appropriate meal shortly after arrival. Ideally, you give your guest a short time to freshen up and move into the room, while you arrange the (previously prepared) food nicely on the table.

#9 Welcome gift: In German-speaking cultures, it is customary for the guest to give the host a gift – but in many cultures, the guest also receives a welcome gift.

#10 Mobility: If your guest comes from abroad, you can give him or her a domestic pre-paid card (at your home you provide WLAN). In addition, you can hand over public transportation tickets and route map or you have organized a bicycle to be mobile at your place.

#11 Plans and excursion tips: It’s nice if you’ve thought ahead about what you can do together and already have some options to present.