So, you're hosting an overnight guest. You want them to have a nice time during their stay. Maybe you hope that they come back for another visit. There is really only one thing you need to do to be a good host – set clear expectations for your guest and yourself. Everything else is icing on the cake!
Simple things can make a difference to guests staying away from home. I have had the privilege of staying with some wonderful friends in family members who are amazing hosts. They are amazing hosts becuase they are thoughtful and considerate. They also had the foresight to let me know what to expect during my stay.
Something I have found helpful when I'm hosting guests to discuss clear expectations about arrival, accommodations, and plans among other things. This is equally important for both guests and hosts. Here are some things you can discuss with your guests to help set clear expectations.
The Nature of the Visit. When talking to your guest about their visit it is important to discuss the length of their stay and the nature of their visit. Do you plan to entertain your guests or are you just providing them with a place to stay for the night? Is your guest coming to spend quality time with you or do they have other plans during the day? Will you provide them with meals, do they need to eat out, or will you eat out together? Do they have other people they plan to visit during their stay?
Arrival. The first thing you will want to discuss with your guest is their arrival. What time are they are planning on getting in? If they are flying – are you picking them up or do they need to find their own transportation? If they are driving – it is always a good idea to let them know where they can park when they arrive and if your neighborhood has any overnight parking restrictions. Additionally, remind your guest to communicate with you if anything changes and let them know you will do the same.
The Home Tour. When guests arrive, it is always a good idea to start with a tour if they are not familiar with your home. During this time, you should discuss where your guests can find glassware, snacks, etc. This is something that people often forget about. It is incredibly uncomfortable when you have to rummage through somebody's kitchen in the middle of the night for a glass of water. As a host you probably won't mind your guest searching for glassware, but again clear expectations will make guests more comfortable. The same thing goes with snacks and coffee. I personally just like to leave water bottles, coffee supplies, and a variety of snacks on the countertop when I have overnight guests. Simply telling someone that your house is their house there's a kind gesture, but you still need to show guests where these things are located and make them accessible.
The Sleeping Situation. As a host it is a good idea to advise your guests of the sleeping situation ahead of time. Let your guests know where they will be sleeping. You may have a guest room or guesthouse or a pull-out sofa. You may be giving up your room or putting them in a bunk room with other people. It does not matter what your accommodations are, just communicate them clearly. It is also never a bad idea to advise guests of the bathroom situation before they arrive if you do not have a guest room with an en suite bath. Additionally, if you need your guest to bring their own sheets, pillows, blankets, or towels – let them know. You may also want to ask your guests if there's anything that you can do to make them more comfortable.
Your Morning and Evening Routine. Based on your guest accommodations you may want to include more or less detail about your morning routine. General things such as letting your guests know when you typically wake up, if you plan to go somewhere or exercise in the morning, if you will have breakfast or fresh coffee available, etc. If you have a shared bathroom situation and you will need to take a shower, you may want to discuss those details. It is also a good idea to ask your guest if they plan to sleep in. If you would like your guest wake up before a certain time, this is something that you should communicate. As far as evening routines go, if you have a guest that is going to be out in the evening – make sure they know when you plan to be asleep and have a way to get in if the door is locked. You don't want to leave your guest stranded on the front porch.
These things are not necessarily a checklist but a common sense guide for how to navigate setting expectations with overnight guests. If you forget something, don't worry. These conversations will come naturally the more you host. The general idea is to keep an open dialogue between you and your overnight guest so everyone is on the same page.
I hope this helps you prepare for your next overnight guest. Let me know what things you think are important to discuss with overnight guests in the comments below!
As always,
Alli
Comments