How to set up-The PERFECT guest room!
DO YOU LOVE-
having house guests? I do! I love having a full house, making my guests feel welcome, spoiling them rotten and enjoying a bit of a holiday at home myself!
What do I mean by that? Although I live in a beautiful house in a stunning area, it’s easy to get bogged down in the minutae of everyday life and let’s face it there’s always something to do. That’s why, once I have prepared the house for guests, shopped for goodies (& bubbles!) and sorted out some activities/bookings, I then step back knowing all is in place. I can then enjoy the house WITH my guests ie no great amount of housework, easy meals or dinners out and taking time out to enjoy time with friends and my own home town and its attractions. This system works well as I then feel like a holiday maker in my own town!
Now-
one way I love to make my loved ones feel at home is how I organise my guest rooms, thought I’d share some ”resort hotel” tips for you to make setting up for your guests a creative exercise as well as a wonderful welcome for them.
STEP 1-
The bed itself.
It MUST be a king!!!!!!!!!!! ( enough emphasis there?)
Even if the room is small and you can only fit in tiny side tables, or not even- a king size bed is quite simply such a holiday luxury and screams “boutique hotel”. I believe it’s best to leave out complicated bedheads, frames and the like, folks on holiday want to calm their minds and feel at peace with their surroundings, hence keep the bed design super simple and invest in a firm mattress for a solid nights sleep.
As for sheets-I truly believe once you have slept on linen you will never look back. Linen sheets used to be prohibitive but have dropped in price due to demand. Again for ease and simplicity, white linens are best, pristine luxury for a peaceful slumber. I like- a bottom flat sheet ( not fitted, yuk), also a top sheet instead of just the doona (ie duvet) cover, why? If you just utilise a duvet cover , not only must you wash it each time, but also the guest then doesn’t have a top sheet in case the duvet is too warm for them, hence that top sheet offers comfort and versatility.
As for pillows-
4 on each bed, two firm and two soft so that your guests have a choice, a true friend will never tell you they didn’t sleep well due a dodgy pillow, so make sure they don’t ! Use pillow protectors that are easy to wash, and wash the pillows themselves twice per year. A duvet needs to be only washed once per year, ie have two, one summer weight ,one for the cooler months.
As far as decoration for the bed goes, a beautiful soft throw is always good, even a shawl for use when reading in bed ( many folks don’t get to read during the “school year” so it is a holiday joy!). I discourage too many fancy cushions, not only are they contrived , they are mentally distracting from an otherwise peaceful environment, they must also be styled immaculately to look good. A better idea? Behind the sleeping pillows ,try two European pillows for back support, featuring a soft colour in the same linen as the bed sheets and pillows, looks beautiful and doesn’t distract.
ANOTHER LOVELY TOUCH?
To add comfort and tactility, place a couple of sheepskins or plush small rugs directly next to the bed, your guests will then get up every morning onto a lovely soft surface, ie no cold feet! This look gives visual interest without fussiness, the LAST thing you need on holiday! Try a circular small rug in contrast to the straight lines of the bed, the organic shape gives a sensual feel. Last tip re:bed? No artwork hanging above it as it puts people off a restful nights sleep.
Next to the bed? A carafe of water with glass is lovely, some fresh mint/basil within from your garden is lovelier! For reading material- always think of personal touches that suit your guests ie if they are foodies, perhaps the latest restaurant guide for your area, nature babies ? Hiking maps of the surrounds. Love to fish? An angling guide to local secret spots, you get the drill. Additionally by offering info about local attractions you then encourage your guests to be more independent and to do stuff on their own to give you a break as hostess, should you need it. A really special idea is something sweet and homemade by the bedside, I like to make cookies , they ALWAYS get eaten! There’s just something naughty about eating cookies in bed.
For really special friends I sometimes offer a little welcome gift from the local area eg an artisanal soap, small scarf or even a scent of local providence. These can serve as holiday memories made, never to be forgotten, nice!
The quintessential “essence of Noosa “- AQUA NOOSA perfume, unisex and utterly unforgettable, a great gift for a couple!
Sweet smelling natural soap from a local Sunshine Coast brand Unwind By Design.
GUEST BATHROOM?
Here the number one rule is?
No matter how modest the bathing space is , you CAN encourage a spa like feel by-
keeping everything scrupulously clean and sparely accessorised, including brand new soaps, shower gels, loofahs etc, and offering high quality classic white towels. White towels sound simple but they are truly the easiest colour to maintain, just remember many folks have coloured towels at home so the white then seems luxurious and ‘hotel like’ when on holiday. If you can spring for two matching robes, do it! Fluffy terry towelling for cooler climes, fresh cotton waffle weave for warmer destinations. Accessories made from natural stone or timber give a rustic organic touch that soothes frazzled minds. Don’t forget a decent hair dryer, no- one of those wobbly travel things won’t do. People want to be their most glamorous fantasy selves whilst on holiday, provide the necessary tools to help them achieve that!
HOW TO-
Set the scene before you show your guests to their room?
Have a diffuser wafting a fresh scent using essential oils from nature, ( or candle if it’s not too breezy) ,have the lighting set on low, pre heat or cool the room accordingly, makes all the difference! Don’t forget fresh blooms in the room, foliage from your own garden is both special and thrifty.
Lastly-
A special touch if I have the time?
A bookmark for each guest , as mostly folks just LOVE to dip their nose into something fun to read during holidays ,rather than work stuff, extra points for home made.
Outside loggia area for our guests, adjacent to the guesthouse, nice for them to be able to have an area all their own for that early cuppa, late night wine or just to sit and chill the hell out!
HOPE-
these tips help, I really love entertaining house guests and love to be one myself, hence should you have any further clever ideas, just sing out!
Seeya,
Les xx
AKA
THE CHAMPAGNE DIVA
