With the holiday season coming up, people all over the world are preparing for guests to visit their homes – me included!
While I was in London last week accompanying my husband on a business trip, I had the pleasure of staying at the beautiful five-star Athenaeum Hotel in London’s Mayfair neighborhood. Upon check-in, I started noting several ways that 5 star hotels are superior at receiving their guests, and that we can all easily and affordably mimic in order to have guests in our own homes feel incredibly welcomed!
In the above video, I review eleven tips and take-aways that I learned at The Athenaum as well as other past five-star hotel stays, that teach how we can all receive guests with five-star etiquette.
Don’t have time to watch the video? Here are the eleven hosting tips from five star hotels, which you can use this upcoming holiday season and beyond!
- If you can, offer to assist guests with their bags
No matter which way you enter my house, it involves stairs and a bit of balance. It’s safe to say that my home is not alone in that set-up. After a long journey, it can feel incredibly welcoming to guests if you offer to help bring their bags inside, as well as show them the best place to put them within your place (so they don’t have to guess!).
- Collect any coats, and show guests where they will be stored
Unless you live in an extremely warm climate, we have arrived at a time of year when your guests will most likely come adorned with a coat. When a guest arrives, make sure to offer to take their coats immediate so they don’t feel confused about your preferences. Once you take their coats, you should also be sure to show them where their coats will be placed in case they need to leave for a quick errand during their stay.
Just in case you need some spare coat hangers so you don’t have to use wire ones you got for free from the dry cleaners (guilty): https://amzn.to/2KC6J1q
- Provide a refreshment when they arrive
This is one of my favorite tips, because it truly is what distinguishes five star service. After a long journey, it is very common to need some water and a snack. Many five star hotels usually have a large pitcher of ice water (sometimes even infused spa water like cucumber mint!), as well as a small nibble such as a piece of chocolate available to guests as they are checking in. Setting these types of items out for your guests right before they arrive will show a level of thoughtfulness that will truly warm their hearts.
Don’t have a pitcher yet? Here’s one for making either hot or cold drinks (even infused ones!) from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XwotjO - Give a tour of your home’s common areas
It’s easy to forget how accustomed you already are to your own home, and that your guests will not feel the same. When you live in a small apartment or large home, make sure to give a quick tour of the common areas (including where all the available bathrooms are) after your guests arrive so they can feel oriented. - Give a detailed tour of their guest room(s) and bathroom(s)
Many five star hotels will have a bellhop accompany guests up to their room not only to bring up their luggage without scratching the walls, but also to give a quick room tour. When I was staying at the Athenaeum last week, a bellhop walked me through how to change the temperature, how to use the in-room coffee machine, where to find spare linens, and more. Giving a detailed room tour of the guest room and bathroom can help make a guest feel immediately at home in their temporary surroundings. - Give a tour of the kitchen
Even if you plan to do all of the cooking, it’s extremely important to show a guest around your kitchen if they are staying overnight. Perhaps they will need an extra fork at dinnertime, or a glass of water in the middle of the night. Stumbling about in the moonlight through someone else’s kitchen can immediately remind a guest that they are far from home. - Include the WiFi network and password information in the guest room
This is such an important detail, but is often forgotten! Overnight guests will always want to know how to connect to the WiFi, but often forget to ask until they are no longer in your presence (i.e. right before going to sleep). By writing down the information that they need on anything from a scrap piece of paper to an erasable chalkboard sign will let them know you’ve already thought about their needs, even if they themselves hadn’t yet!
The chalkboard WiFi signs that my husband and I have were found at Homegoods, but you can buy a couple similar options on Amazon, too! https://amzn.to/34hoF92
- Offer a variety of coffee and teas
The major difference that I have found from five star hotels and other overnight stays is that they always offer a WIDE selection of coffee and tea. I feel that offering more than one option truly shows a desire to cater to the guest. It’s fairly inexpensive to collect a variety at home, and you can even order an assorted tea and coffee collection on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/334ZcP5
- Write down a list of local recommendations
Most overnight guests are fairly unfamiliar with the local area that they are staying in. Whether you live in a rural area or a major city, it’s helpful to write down a list of the nearest pharmacies, grocery stores, favorite restaurants, movie theatres, and local attractions so your guests can feel at ease that they can easily find what they need. - Discuss menus and ask about any food allergies
When I was at a five star restaurant last week, the waiter politely asked every table if there were any allergies to tell the chef about before he submitted the order. I’ve found that five star hotels that also serve meals will do the same. Before your guests arrive, you should likely ask if there are any allergies or dietary restrictions to keep in mind to make them feel their food is familiar and safe during their stay. Most good guests will let you know in advance, but not everyone will think to do so. Instead, you can nip it in the bud yourself! - Discuss important itinerary information from the get-go
Creating a good hosting environment also includes letting your guests know when you yourself will be at home so they can plan their days around your schedule. If you have an infrequent work schedule, or if you’ve already made dinner reservations for the whole crew at your favorite local restaurant, make sure you discuss all of your plans with your guests in advance so they can be ready on time around your itinerary. And double-check that they don’t have plans for you to consider as well!
At the end of the day, the most important thing is that your guests always know and feel that they are cherished and wanted. Having your guests feel at home with you during the holidays should always be your top priority as a holiday host.
Happy holiday kick-off, travelers! Wishing you all the best!
-Eliz
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