Creating luxury guest accommodation: A guide
Do you have a dedicated space in your home which is reserved for guests? Or, do you ask your overnight visitors to squeeze into a spare bedroom, or possibly a makeshift bed on the floor of the lounge? If you do have a guest room, is it a collection of well-worn bedding and personal possessions which you don’t want to display? Is it a bare room with only minimal furniture?
If one rarely hosts overnight guests, then it’s understandable that accommodation would be basic, but if you’re someone who enjoys having friends or family over to stay, it may be worth making more of an effort with the accommodation you offer.
Leaving our home can be an uncomfortable experience, especially if we are staying away for a long period of time. However, when we are staying in the home of someone else, it can be even more difficult to relax than if we were to stay in a hotel. Also, some guests will be weary if they have travelled a long way to see you, which is why it’s so important to get guest accommodation right. The aim is to create a space in your home where guests feel welcome and comfortable.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you create the most luxurious accommodation for your guests.
Consider a Log Cabin
First things first, if you want to provide your guests with real luxury, why not do it properly and give them their own log cabin to stay in? Log cabins are becoming increasingly popular in the UK as they can be adapted to suit just about any practical purpose and give families extra living space.
With the proper insulation and some heating, you can create a completely separate guest cabin in your garden with everything they need, including their own sink and toilet if you include the plumbing. This is a particularly good option if your guests are couples, small families or likely to be staying for an extended period of time, as it gives them their own private space away from the main home.
Invest in a Great Mattress
We all know the pain of an uncomfortable night’s sleep, and for some people, a bad mattress is enough to put them off staying somewhere again. If your guest mattress has prominent springs, dips, lumps or is too thin, your guests will be tossing and turning.
Mattress technology has moved on significantly with many offering incredible support and comfort to ensure a restful night for just about anyone. Memory foam is a popular choice, but try to choose a breathable option as they can become hot during the night.
Use Only the Best Bedding
Rather than using old sheets and bedclothes, invest in a new set which will only be used for guests. It should be breathable and soft, as well as able to be washed regularly without tiring it. A high thread count is usually a good indicator of quality bedding.
Finish the bedding with a cosy throw and some scatter cushions to up the comfort and make the bed look as appealing as possible. Extra tip: Some people get hot very easily, while others run cold, so give guests a few extra blankets of varying thicknesses so they can adjust the bedding to suit them.
Give Guests Space for Luggage
Almost without exception, your guests will bring luggage with them. Try to arrange the guest room so that they have space to put their bags or suitcases to the side, as well as somewhere they can store their belongings. Living out of a suitcase is the last thing you want guests to do when you are trying to make them feel at home. If you are providing them with a wardrobe, remember to put some coat hangers in there and keep table tops and drawers clear.
Provide Essential Toiletries and Towels
To go the extra mile, don’t put your guests in the position where they need to ask to borrow toiletries such as toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner or body wash. You can easily circumvent this by providing them with a kit of essentials in their room which includes all the overnight items they might need to feel comfortable.
You should also provide them with their own set of fresh, soft towels which they can use for the duration of their stay. If they are staying for more than a few nights, you may want to offer to wash the towels or provide a second set.
Ensure They Have Privacy
You want to give your guests as much privacy and security as possible. From queuing for the bathroom in the morning, to not being able to properly shut their room door, small issues can make a big difference. Ideally, the accommodation for your guests should have fully a functioning door, private bathroom and a mirror so they can get themselves ready to face the day in privacy and peace.
Keep the Space Neutral, but Homely
In most cases, it’s best to keep the décor neutral and simple. When a guest room is decorated in a busy way and full of the host’s photos and personal possessions, it sends a very clear message to the guest that they are not at home.
This doesn’t mean you can’t decorate to suit the rest of your home and personal taste and there are plenty of pieces you can add to the room to give it a homely ambience. For example, scented candles, books, a statement piece of art, or photography and a bedside lamp are all excellent accessories.
Include a Chair and Desk
Although this may not be necessary or appropriate for every guest room, some should consider including a desk and chair for guests to use during their stay. This could be a place for them to work, to surf the Internet, or even simply to sit somewhere which is not the bed. If you also provide a mirror it can double as a dressing table for make-up and hair styling.
Display the Wi-Fi Access Information
A great way to make guests feel at home is to give them the Wi-Fi login information in their room. You can tape the information to a desk or to the back of the door to avoid having to provide complex and lengthy passwords over and over again.
Extra tip: Most people now carry at least their smartphone with them, and often will have another mobile device like a tablet or laptop. Providing a universal charger for the room will ensure your guests are covered should they forget to bring their charger.
Add Some Finishing Touches
The final flourish comes in the finishing touches you add to the room which will make them feel like VIPs. This could be as simple as placing a fresh bunch of flowers in the room or a small box of chocolates on the bed. You may also want to provide them with a plush dressing gown so they have something comfortable to wear in the mornings and/or evenings. Alternatively, a simple handwritten welcome note can make all the difference when it comes to putting a smile on your guests’ faces.
Clean the Guest Accommodation Thoroughly
Before new guests arrive, make sure the room is thoroughly cleaned. A quick once over is all well and good, but if guests find personal items or unsanitary evidence of you or a previous guest, they will once again be reminded that this is not their home.
Try it for Yourself
The best way to check that your guest accommodation is fit for purpose is to spend the night in there yourself. This will show up any potential issues with an uncomfortable bed, heating problems, restricted space or disruptions to your sleep.
