How to turn your home into a hotel

By Amy Bradley-Hole

Travel columnist

updated 11:55 a.m. ET Nov. 7, 2007

Amy Bradley-Hole Travel columnist • Profile • E-mail

It's nearly holiday time, and many of you are probably planning on having company over at some point during the next few weeks. Even if you'll be hosting family who you're completely at ease with, adding extra people to your space and routine can be frustrating for you and your visitors. Hotels, of course, know a thing or two about how to make guests comfortable, and it's surprisingly easy to incorporate their ideas into your home.

1. Do some “pre-search”
Take a little time to speak to your guests before they arrive. Find out some of their preferences. What do they eat for breakfast? Do they drink wine or beer? Does anyone have any allergies? By researching guest preferences in advance, you can fill your pantry and guest rooms with small touches that will surprise and delight your visitors.

2. Clear some space
Perhaps you're like me, and the drawers and closets in your guest bedroom are filled with clothes that you pray will someday fit you again. Where are your guests supposed to put their clothes? Before their arrival, clear out some space so that your company can unpack and spread out a bit.

3. Get a luggage rack
Maybe you really don't have any spare space, or maybe your guests are staying for only one night and don't want to bother to unpack. Luggage stands can come in really handy, as they allow your visitors to get their suitcases off the floor and out of the way. To find one, just enter "luggage rack" or "suitcase stand" into an Internet search engine — you'll see plenty of choices.

Deal of the Day Newfoundland and Labrador Explore World Heritage sites, glimpse into the life of the Vikings, more, from $1,635.

4. Freshen your bedding
Gone are the days when rock-hard mattresses and scratchy sheets were standard fittings for hotel beds. Now, many hotels brag about offering a fabulous “sleep experience.” They use top-of-the-line sheets and duvets and mattresses with fluffy toppers. If you love the bedding at a particular hotel chain, check the company's Web site, because chances are you can order it for your home. Make the bed with lots of layers in varying weights and tuck a spare blanket in the closet, because room temperature is one thing houseguests grumble about behind your back. Also consider providing a variety of pillows — firm, soft, feather and allergy-proof — as pillow tastes vary greatly. Your guests will dream about how wonderful you are while enjoying a blissful sleep after a long day of traveling.

5. Place towels on the bed
My mother-in-law does this, and I think it's a thoughtful touch. She lays out towels and washcloths on the beds in the guest rooms, so that visitors who are unfamiliar with the house don't have to go digging around in cupboards trying to find them.

Daily travel blog Daily postings from ‘the last honest travel site’

6. Supply some toiletries
Hotels provide complimentary toiletries because these items are often hard to pack and are easily forgotten. Provide new travel-size products such as shampoo, soaps, deodorants, razors and toothpaste in your guest bathroom.

7. And a couple of bathrobes would be nice, also.
Do you really want to see your father-in-law in his briefs as he stumbles into the kitchen for an early morning cup of coffee? If you provide inexpensive, freshly laundered bathrobes for your guests, modesty will be preserved and everyone will be happy.

MORE FROM TIPS

Tips Section Front

Tips for choosing a hotel 7 ways to avoid checked baggage fees No ticket, but they remembered the bill How to get fit on vacation The travel secrets of war reporters The best iPhone apps for travelers Great things to do in the airport Airline safety course teaches life-saving skills How to leverage social media for a better vacation Double trouble on my honeymoon Tips Section Front   Add Tips headlines to your news reader: