What would your favorite boutique hotel do?
Think about the best hotel stay you’ve ever had. While many hotels have comfy beds and nice accommodations, it’s the properties that add small touches that make your stay feel extra special and leave a lasting impression. Next time you have a guest staying overnight with you, consider taking a page from those properties’ playbooks. Here, some simple guest bedroom ideas that can make your guest room feel like your favorite hotel.
Before your guest arrives, do a sweep of the room they’ll be staying in. Often, the guest room turns into a bit of a catchall for extra stuff—which makes it not exactly relaxing. Remove or store anything that is adding clutter (think boxes of random stuff or piles of books) and add a few thoughtful touches that will make it feel homey. You can’t go wrong with a scented candle. And, make sure to add a few empty hangers in the closet so your guest will have a place to keep their clothes wrinkle-free. Bonus points if they’re all matching—just be sure to skip the wire ones you get from the dry cleaner, which tend to look a little worse for wear and easily get bent out of shape.
Some stylish boutique hotels boast about their zillion-thread count sheets. You don’t have to go quite that far, but a freshly laundered set of sheets, fluffy pillows and a plush blanket or coverlet can go a long way toward making the room feel cozy. Don’t forget a stack of neatly folded towels and a washcloth so your guest will have what they need to freshen up.
No one likes to feel flustered when they arrive, so if the directions to your home are complicated, make sure your guest knows what to expect. Is there a specific place they need to park? A code to get into your building? Send them a text or an email with detailed instructions and make sure you’re on hand to answer their call if they have a question on the way (just like a savvy concierge at your favorite inn).
If you’ll be home when they arrive, consider having a “welcome amenity” on hand. For example, if they’re arriving early in the morning, prepare a pot of coffee. Or, if they’ll be arriving in the evening, whip up a fun cocktail or have some white wine chilling. It’s also nice to have a little something to munch on. You don’t have to have a full meal prepared, but any guest will appreciate having a small cheese plate or bowls of nuts and other snacks to graze on after a day of travel.
Your visitor will likely want to check email and Instagram—and maybe even catch up on their favorite Netflix show while they wind down at night. Make this easy for them by placing a card with your wifi network and password next to the bed for easy access. Make it look extra chic by putting it in a small, inexpensive frame. A few other helpful nightstand go-tos: A spare phone charger, bottle of water, earplugs and an eye mask.
Have you ever arrived at a hotel only to realize—shoot!—you forgot your toothbrush? It’s always helpful when a property includes those bathroom extras, so consider doing the same for your guest. Add a toothbrush and toothpaste set, small bottles of shampoo and body wash, makeup remover wipes and mini-mouthwash bottles in a cute basket in the bathroom your guest will use. That way, if they happen to have forgotten something essential, they can help themselves.
While no one would expect you to stock your kitchen with all your guests’ favorite foods, it’s nice to pick up a few thoughtful things you know they’ll like. In advance of their arrival, ask if they have any food allergies or favorite items they love to nosh on. For instance, do you have a coffee-lover who has a dairy allergy? Picking up that $4 carton of oat milk is well worth it to make your friend or family member feel at home.
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