Naples guest room
If you live in Naples, you're sure to get a lot of overnight visitors. It's inevitable especially during the winter months. Here are 10 tips that will help your guests feel welcome. They're easy to do and will go a long way to making your guests feel welcome.
1. Put a household info sheet on the end table by the bed. Print out the wireless information with password, your house address with zip code, the landline telephone number and any other important household information a guest might need. Laminate it if you're really organized and place it on the nightstand so guests have it without having to ask.
2. Pick up an inexpensive luggage stand for your guest room. Those little hotel stands really are convenient and keep the suitcase off the floor and off the bed. Even if your guests unpack for a longer stay, having a place for the suitcase is helpful and you can just fold it up when not using.
3. Fill an end table basket with small toiletries. Those hotel room shampoos you never know what to do with, put them in the basket. Your guests are likely to forget something so fill your basket with all the odds and ends you've been picking up over the years. I like to toss in high-end cosmetic samples as well. It's fun to try an expensive moisturizer or eye cream!
Other items for the nightstand: ear plugs, writing supplies including postcards with stamps, hand cream, an eye mask and a flashlight.
4. Decorate simply. Guests rooms that are filled with family clutter and memorabilia aren't all that restful. Keep yours simple: a comfortable bed, end table with good light, a small dresser and decorate it with a beautiful painting or photograph. If you're redecorating, lean towards restful grey, beige or soft blues.
5. Make up a comfortable bed. Again, keep it simple! Good quality sheets, a thin blanket and lightweight comforter. For a full or queen bed, 4 plump pillows is the perfect number. If you must, add one decorative pillow. Don't force your guests to remove 6 little pillows and find a place for them every night. Stow extra blankets in the closet just in case your guests need them.
6. Hang 1-2 robes in the closet. Pick up roomy white terry cloth robes relatively cheaply at Bed, Bath & Beyond or Target and let your guests know they are for their use. It's so nice not to have to dress in a steamy bathroom or to be able to run to the kitchen for a cup of tea without having to put your clothing on.
7. Ask for breakfast preferences ahead of time. I always email guests to see what they like in the morning. Do they prefer a particular tea or always use cream in their coffee? It's easy to indulge your guests in the morning and it gets the day off to a great start to have your coffee made just the way you like it. And, obviously, have fresh squeezed Florida orange juice available!
8. Put your guest's towels on their bed. I always leave a set of towels for each guest right where they can see it. If you're ok with them using fresh towels each time they shower, let them know where the rest are stored. If not, they'll get the message that the towels you left are theirs for the entire stay.
9. Leave room in the closet. Make sure there is space available for your guests to hang up their clothing plus enough hangers. I leave a bottle of Downy Wrinkle Release in the closet as well. It works like a charm to freshen up creased clothing.
10. Make a basket of magazines and a few local-themed books available. Gather a few books that have a local theme (a book of Clyde Butcher photography is perfect!) as well as current issues of weekly newspapers (Florida Weekly is a good choice) and monthly issues of local magazines (Neapolitan Family, of course!) and put them in a basket by the bed. Guests will have something to read in the tub and may find interesting events to attend.