guest services.

I just received my November issue of Better Homes and Gardens [a free subscription thanks to the Better Homes and Gardens Celebrating the Promise Cookbook] and had to share these simple ideas on how to make your guests feel like they are at a four-star hotel.

While we do not have a designated guest room, I am going to try a few of these ideas to be welcoming and accommodating [and hopefully convince them to come back] to our future house guests.

“Outfit your guests’ quarters with a tray of niceties: an alarm clock, novels and guidebooks, and a carafe of water. [If guests sleep on the sofa, park the tray on the coffee table at bedtime, then whisk it away come morning.”

“Top Drawer: Think like a four-star hotel and anticipate your guests; every need. Stock a dresser drawer with necessities and fun extras that will make them feel pampered.

1. Label the drawer with a hangtag so over-nighters know they can help themselves.

2. Shop your drugstore’s travel aisle or online [try minimus.biz] for itty-bitty versions of favorite toiletries]

3. Use a drawer organizer to brind order to a jumble of small items.

4. Store washcloths and hand towels here, too, a different color for each guest to avoid bathroom mixups.

5. Provide a one-time-use camera so spent batteries or full memory cards don’t spoil the fun. [Recycle the camera at your local print shop.]

6. Make your own mini-bar, top. Fill a basket with chocolate bars, bags of nuts or dried fruit, and other packaged treats for guests who need a snack. “

“Get wet towels up off the floor with a handy towel rack that fits over the door, above left. When the guests go, store it under the bed.

Keep an extra sheet set and blanket under the bed so guests can help themselves if needed. A lidded or zippered box, above, keeps them fresh and dust-free. Tuck it in a lavender sachet; it’;; scent the sheets and also repels moths.

Give guests a spot to hang clothes without having to rearrange a closes. Hang an over-the-door hook, left, and stock it with several slim hangers plus a lightweight robe.”

Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens; November 2010