I enjoy having people around -- it is great to share our space, meals, to break out the board games, or turn the living room into a dance club. We have proven our love for having people around by hosting 26 overnight guests since we moved into our house...less than three months ago. Whew, I am exhausted just thinking about that idea, but it has been a great summer.
When I was younger, I would prepare our parents' house for guests as a not-so-make-believe Full of Love Hotel. Working with my sister, this would entail itineraries, room keys, turn down services, branded soaps, and big breakfasts.
When I was younger, I would prepare our parents' house for guests as a not-so-make-believe Full of Love Hotel. Working with my sister, this would entail itineraries, room keys, turn down services, branded soaps, and big breakfasts.
Now that my husband and I are in our own space, we have created a new Full of Love Hotel property that I call the Y at Forest Hills. And I am all for hospitality, especially when you invite friends or family to stay with you. But, when the hotel is not charging, there have to be some limitations on the hospitality. It is also my opinion that hospitality goes both ways. Things don't always go according to plan; I am not always successful at pulling all the pieces together, but here are a few of my tenets for the two way street of hospitality:
1. Make your guests comfortable. Try to prepare all of the elements of their stay so that they don't have to ask for anything from water to blankets, to hair dryers.
2. Treat your guests as they would like to be treated. If you guests don't like to be catered to, give them their own space. If they want to help, try to have tasks ready for them to lend a hand with.
3. Treat your host as they would like to be treated. If you host is shy or modest, don't make a big deal about things. If your host has things under control, listen to them when they say they don't need help.
4. Do what you gotta do. If you need people to bring their own towels or sheets, ask. If you need to run out to get extra ice while your guests are enjoying their stay, run out.
5. Have a signature drink. It may be water, it may be mint iced tea, or it may be sangria -- have lots of it on hand in pitchers for guests to grab on their own when they are thirsty.
6. If something gets broken or stained, let the host know -- you don't have to offer to replace it, but keep them informed and apologize. And as the host, don't make a big deal out of broken items, especially in front of other guests.
7. Make breakfast. If you are staying at my house, there will be breakfast. We don't have to talk about it; you don't have to eat it; but it will be there if you are hungry.
8. Brew coffee. Not a coffee drinker? Me either, but everyone else is.
9. Set the table. Having the table set will bring order to your space and help guests organize themselves without your supervision.
10. Send them off. Have water bottles on hand, offer to drive guests to the airport, continue to make your guests comfortable as they head on their way.
It's all in the personal details when it comes to hospitality -- guests should know what they are going to get when they arrive or be pleasantly surprised with the extra touches they find.
1. Make your guests comfortable. Try to prepare all of the elements of their stay so that they don't have to ask for anything from water to blankets, to hair dryers.
2. Treat your guests as they would like to be treated. If you guests don't like to be catered to, give them their own space. If they want to help, try to have tasks ready for them to lend a hand with.
3. Treat your host as they would like to be treated. If you host is shy or modest, don't make a big deal about things. If your host has things under control, listen to them when they say they don't need help.
4. Do what you gotta do. If you need people to bring their own towels or sheets, ask. If you need to run out to get extra ice while your guests are enjoying their stay, run out.
5. Have a signature drink. It may be water, it may be mint iced tea, or it may be sangria -- have lots of it on hand in pitchers for guests to grab on their own when they are thirsty.
6. If something gets broken or stained, let the host know -- you don't have to offer to replace it, but keep them informed and apologize. And as the host, don't make a big deal out of broken items, especially in front of other guests.
7. Make breakfast. If you are staying at my house, there will be breakfast. We don't have to talk about it; you don't have to eat it; but it will be there if you are hungry.
8. Brew coffee. Not a coffee drinker? Me either, but everyone else is.
9. Set the table. Having the table set will bring order to your space and help guests organize themselves without your supervision.
10. Send them off. Have water bottles on hand, offer to drive guests to the airport, continue to make your guests comfortable as they head on their way.
It's all in the personal details when it comes to hospitality -- guests should know what they are going to get when they arrive or be pleasantly surprised with the extra touches they find.
