The Art of Hospitality: How to Make Your Guests Feel Welcome
Hospitality is the art of making guests feel welcome and comfortable. It is about creating a warm and inviting atmosphere where guests can relax and enjoy themselves.
When you host guests, you are essentially inviting them into your home. It is not just the act of entertaining, but more importantly, it is to make sure that your guests feel warm and welcomed.
Entertaining and hospitality are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between the two.
Entertaining is providing guests with food, drink, and entertainment. The primary goal of entertaining is to charm the guests and make them feel welcome. The host may put a lot of thought into the food, drinks, and activities that will be provided and may even hire a caterer or event planner to help.
Hospitality is to provide your guest with a warm and welcoming environment. The primary goal of hospitality is to make the guests feel comfortable and at home. The host may offer food, drinks, or activities, but will holistically focus on making sure that the guests feel relaxed and enjoy their time.
There is a place for each experience, to be sure; however, when inviting guests to your home for a longer stay, the act of hospitality should take precedence.
“Hospitality matters because it deepens existing relationships and creates the space for new ones to flourish.
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Here are some holist8ic tips for providing hospitality:
Make sure your home is clean and tidy.
Put out some snacks and drinks.to welcome your guests
Offer to show your guests around your home.
Ask your guests questions about themselves and their interests.
Be a good listener.
Make your guests feel comfortable and relaxed.
The importance of listening to your guests. True hospitality is about listening to your guests and understanding their needs. What are they looking for in a hospitality experience? What can you do to make their stay more enjoyable?
The power of personalization. One of the best ways to show your guests that you care is to personalize their experience. Before they arrive, you can ask your guests some informative questions to help personalize their stay.
What do they like to eat? Are they vegetarians or prefers beef? All matters.
Are there any foods they like to stay away from? Allergies or dislikes.
Do they have any allergies? I had a guest who was very allergic to scented candles. I had them lit when they arrived and quickly he started to sneeze nonstop! I quickly put them out and when guest come to my house I never use them.
Are there any particular places they want to see in your area? We had a guest visiting us in California who wanted to see RT 1 along the coast. We took them on a ride and saw a whale breach very close to the shoreline. It certainly was a sight to see and our guest was thrilled!
Do they have any other special needs.
True hospitality is about going the extra mile to make your guests feel special. This could mean anything from offering them a delicious meal to giving them a tour of your city.
Here are some tips for entertaining with hospitality:
Be genuine and sincere. When you're genuinely interested in your guests and their experiences, they'll feel welcome and appreciated.
Be flexible. Things don't always go according to plan, so be prepared to follow the flow.
Be forgiving. Everyone makes mistakes, so don't sweat the small stuff.
Be grateful. Thank your guests for coming, and let them know you enjoyed having them.
Design by Amal Raad Karen Interior Design - Such a fresh and welcoming guest bedroom.
Here are things I add to my guest rooms to make my guest feel comfortable.
Guest bed with clean crisp linens and a comfortable quilt or duvet. I recommend layers since some guests may be cold at night and others may not.
Piles of pillows that are comfortable.
Tip: before I receive guests, I ask if anyone is allergic to down. You would be surprised at how many people are. If anyone is, I omit any down from the bedroom.
Extra blankets in the closet or chest if they get cold at night.
Bathrobe and slippers
Lovely padded hangers in the closet
Carafe and glass set for water
WIFI password
Pad and pen
Recharger
Access to an outlet
A few snacks
A small vase of flowers near the bedside
A wastebasket
A nightlight
Tissues
Luggage rack
Beautiful example of a Guest Bedroom Designed by Hillary W Taylor Interiors / Photo by Gordon Gregory
“True hospitality consists of giving the best of yourself to your guests.”
Warm Guest Bathroom
Guest Bathrooms
Clean bathroom linens
Cotton floor bath mat
Shampoo and conditioner accessible to tub or shower
Bar of soap or showering gel either in the shower or bathtub
Robes and slippers, if not in the guest bedroom
Hook on the back of the door
Unused toothbrush and travel-size toothpaste
Razors
In containers on the counter
Disposable shower caps
Q Tips
Cotton balls
New travel-size deodorant
Tissues
Small vase of flowers on the counter or behind the toilet
Waste basket
Under the sink or in your bathroom drawer
Hairspray
Gel for hair
Blow dryer
Straightener
Toilet Paper
Feminine products
Tip: Let your guests know where you would like to have them put their used towels.. This will ensure that they don’t keep reusing their towels.
You can do many things to show your guests hospitality, such as being welcoming, approachable, attentive, responsive, and going the extra mile. By following these tips, you can be a great host and make sure your guests have a wonderful time.
“May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. ”
As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment, or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!
Design with your heart™️
Happy entertaining, my friends!
Mary
