How to Turn Your Guest Room into a Haven, Part 2
Last week I shared some tips to help make your guest room a little more comfortable to the weary traveler. I have a few extra suggestions that may help you make your guest feel right at home! These are all little things, but they can be easy to overlook. Yet when you have taken the time to think through and prepare these things ahead of time, your guest will feel especially blessed to rest in your home!
–Power Strips. These days, with so much technology, everything needs plugged in at night. My husband and I each use our phones as alarm clocks, and we each travel with a tablet or laptop. When you use those items all day in the car, you need to plug in at night. Make sure the outlet(s) are uncovered and easily accessible, and even add a power strip so there is plenty of room for extra plugs.
–Iron and Ironing Board. Check with your guest to see if they need access to the iron.
–Laundry Facilities. Offer the use of your washing machine (if you have one – I don’t!), and try to have it empty or cleared off so the guest has room to wash and fold their laundry.
–Night Stand. I always appreciate it when there is a table near the bed for my phone and eyeglasses to set on, along with a glass of water. That way I know right where things are at in the night!
–Empty Drawers. If your guest will be staying for more than a night, it’s so nice to leave an empty drawer or two so they can unpack their suitcase. My husband despises living out of a suitcase, so he always unpacks, even for just one night. But –this is hard to do unless you have a dedicated guest room!
–Wi-fi Password. Most homes have a wireless network these days. And if they are careful, the network is password protected. A guest might feel awkward asking you to share the password. But at the same time, when you have to pay for the data on your phone plan, being able to connect to a network is money-saving and helpful. My husband makes a lot of phone calls in the van, and then needs to follow them up with an email when we arrive at our destination. Its always so nice when the hostess has laid out the wireless password for us in the room, so that we know we are welcome on their network.
–Ask About Allergies. If you are hosting your guests for a meal, inquire about any allergies or preferences. We have been blessed to have no allergies and enjoy pretty much any food. But sometimes when you travel you get the same meal quite a bit (usually it's spaghetti or lasagna). We haven’t had that happen on this trip! It just shows thoughtfulness if you ask your guest if they have eaten something quite a lot, or if they have preferences. Right now with my pregnancy meals heavy on the tomatoes are not a good choice. But I am not going to tell a hostess that, unless she asks me.