apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

you sound like a person with way to much time on your hands

When my sister is coming to visit from LA, I take clippings from newspapers & magazines of interesting events that will be going on while she's here -- galleries, museums, concerts, etc. and make them into a little booklet. Also, I always make a welcome basket with chocolates, nice hand lotion, cute flip-flops, etc.

And, although we are not formal like that, she always leaves me a heartfelt, hand-written thank you card and sometimes a little gift (usually something for the house that she has noticed I might need).

Making guests feel comfortable is NOT something to do only if one has too much time on one's hands; it's a requirement, just as I'd never go to a dinner party if I wasn't up for conversation. Regina, you're living up to your name with the royal welcome! I remember reading years ago that when someone sold her house in Georgetown to move into the White House, she left the buyer numbers and locations for florists, grocers, book sellers, and much more. Long live hospitality!

1. I have a little box of nice toiletry things that I leave out in the bathroom in case our guests forgot something. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, nice lotions, facial soap, etc.
2. I have an uncanny ability to pick up dropped/lost subway passes that still have a lot of money on them. So I write how much money is on them, save them and then give them to guests when they visit.
3. Years ago, I made up a folder with maps, take-out menus and a list of useful neighborhood stuff (including, what grocery store is open latest and where the nearest bank is, don’t eat at this restaurant, etc.).
4. When I leave towels out for guests I fold them up nicely and wrap them up with a nice grosgrain ribbon.
5. Sparkling wine in fridge.

When I have visitors from out of town, they don't always stay in my place, but when they do, I try to stock the fridge with things that I know they like, but which I think I'll be able to choke down myself in case there's stuff left over when they leave.

If I have enough warning, I try to find out how many Broadway shows they want to see and grill them about what they've seen so far. If they've never seen one, I try to steer them to at least one "control plate" one, which would be something very traditionally Broadway-esque (something like "42nd Street" when it was here), and something innovative or different ("Lion King" has been around so long it almost doesn't seem interesting to people who've seen it a lot, but to first-timers, it's still very new and wonderful).

I try to prompt them about what things they've heard of that they'd like to say, and generally try to work out some kind of itenerary that helps them see as many of those things as possible, and since so many things are so close together, with just a little forethought, that's really pretty easy.

When I moved into my new apartment, the previous owners left two bottles of Absolut in the freezer, a six pack of Sam Adams, and a sheaf of delivery menus in a drawer. All things I can use!

We rent our home out for an annual sporting event. I always leave extra toiletries, a bottle or two of wine, some good coffee and filters next to the coffee maker, a small snack basket, a binder with info on our home (how to remedy something if remote control doesn't turn on all components for tv/dvd), printouts of some simple maps, menus of local restaurants (along with notes on my favorites), numbers and directions to local hospitals and urgent care (you never know), and directions to and from our home from various landmarks.

i like to surprise my guests with turn-down service. i turn the bed down, put a nice chocolate and a small flower on the pillow, turn on some nice, soft music and adjust the lighting.
it's one of my favorite things about staying in a hotel, so i pass along the joy.

When I moved into my new home, the previous owner had pre-cut shelf liners for ALL the shelves and rolled them up neatly to the side, there was no dust/dirt inside or outside (professional cleaning), and she left a flower arrangement to welcome me. That's class!

Like a few people above I value good hospitality upon self and I try to do the same for my guests. This past June we finished out basement into a guest apartment and beside the usual stuff, make a nice bed, tie the towels with a ribbon, nice soaps and the collection of hotel shampoos, I bought bath slippers made of cotton, a small arrangement of flowers, one box a exquisite dark chocolate truffles and a bottle of champagne. I think it was appreciated.

Leave some clean and clear space for your guests to plunk their stuff down. Empty bedside table tops. bureau tops, even clear space on the vanity/grooming area. I know it sounds small in terms of effort, but when you're away from home and are facing not able to stash your items away, a bit of cleared area is most welcoming.

Directions to the closest bus/subway stop, a small map of the immediate area, with points of interest as well as supermarket (if they want to pick up snacks or bottled water) and drug store clearly marked.

WiFi, or free internet connection has always proved a great tool when I travel, and I now look for accommodation that provides it.

Just keep it simple and let them create their own good time.

it's not exactly romantic, beautiful, or inspired, but i always give guests their own power strip to use while they stay with me. i'm not exactly equipped to accomodate guests in my tiny live/work studio, anyways, but i do love having some of my favorite people bunk with me for a night or two. giving my friends their own power strip means they're less likely to leave behind their cellphone, laptop, ipod, and camera-battery chargers.

You all sound like such good (and thoughtful) hosts (all, except snot - it's exactly the comment I get when I go out of my way and *make* time to do little things that I believe are nice). I do a lot of the things you describe but now I've learnt a few more - thanks!

My father-in-law leaves a picture frame with our picture next to the guest bed when we visit. I know he rotates the picture depending on who is visiting but the gesture never fails to make me feel warm and welcomed.

Sounds like you've done a fantastic job!

Clearing clutter from where they're quartered is a must, since it keeps them from feeling as though they're invading someone's private space and stuff. In the guest room, I'll put out magazines, a couple of books for reading, and a couple of art or photo books that I think they'd enjoy. Bottled water and cups, towels, spare toiletries including nice bath stuff, toothbrushes, and disposable razors in their wrappers go in the bathroom. My aim is for my guests to feel like their room is a comfy retreat.

Snacks, suggestions for activities to do themselves with the info on them, etc. are a nice thing to do. Spending all your time together is too much, so I always try to think of fun places to wander around or relax.

I guess I am an exception: I don't recall the last time I stayed over someone's house. I always use a hotel. I am currently quite peeved because my sister and brother (each living in a different country) decided to surprise me and stay with me this week.

Chucky, I sympathise. Hell is other people, especially family.

All of my guests know my life is hectic and my place is cramped (albeit tidy, thanks to AT!)-- it would be awkard to spend a lot of energy trying to fake a "hotel" experience.

The best thing I do is juggle my schedule to enjoy at least one great event with my guests every day. I'm constantly organizing restaurants, stores, museums, walks, plays-- I might not make it to everything, but I'll join for dinner or drinks afterwards If I can't. They always appreciate my presence and effort in helping them enjoy the city!

like many a new yorker, i have guests pretty regularly in my (fortunately) large studio apt. i feel it's important to make them feel welcome as well as armed with enough information/inspiration (maps, time out magazines, etc) so that i don't have to be with them all the time!

wow, i try to do a few of the basics to help my guests feel comfortable (towels, defined space, full fridge), but picked up a lot more tips here (love the customizied photo by bedside)! thanks :)

We keep all our delivery menus in a big binder with those plastic sheet things, and write comments about the restaurants (nice on phone, speaks no english, takes forever, is speedy) all over the menus. Granted, this is for ourselves as much as for guests, but it helps them out too if they're here by themselves and looking for food.

We are usually here with our out-of-town visitors. But we allow them plenty of freedom during their visit to expore the city at their own pace. A set of clean linens are a given. We stock the fridge with breakfast food like bagels & cream cheese, orange juice, and have plenty of tea and coffee on hand (although our visitors usually enjoy the novelty of ordering out breakfast). We provide a subway/bus map and filled Metrocard, a Streetwise Manhattan map, and a copy of TimeOutNY to help plan their activities, both with us and without us.

I also love the customized photo idea. If we have family visiting, I do try to make sure we have a picture of them displayed somewhere in the house while they're here, to make them feel more at home.

well I never have people over except my kids friends :( But I will keep all these ideas at hand for when I finally do have stayover guests :)

I recently bought a studio in Chelsea...

While I love having guests stay at my place, (given the small space) I have decided to limit overnight guests to close friends and family.

On the other hand, if I am away (as I am often in the summer)...I have taken great pleasure in offering up my place. It was a long road to home ownership for me...and, I want my friends to feel welcome to use it (when I am not here).

While I don't rise to Regina's standards, I do try to make my guests at home--clean sheets, towels, beverages, Time Out, NY Times, etc.