10 TIPS FOR A GREAT STAY!
WHAT GUEST ESTABLISHMENTS SHOULD KNOW!
(Here goes… hoping that no establishment hosts will feel harmed in the making of this post as these are only suggestions.)
10… Starting with just some feeling welcome wishes rather than necessities for a lovely stay… make it look and feel inviting with some soaps or creams or bubble bath (everyone I know gets presents like these they do not want)… someone else will simply love it and even if they don’t, it would give an inviting appearance of caring. I am the best example of this as I make and use only my own products named Alexia (my eldest granddaughter’s name)…
Still, I am always blown away when I see establishments putting out those little extras such as lotions, soaps and bubble baths for their visitors. A bath mat or even a little towel for feet to stand on when getting out of the bath/shower.
A two-point plug for charging a phone/razor etc. Fridge/cooler comes in handy if you are staying for more than one night, but usually if asked, the establishment would make space in their own fridge for a guest.
9… Tissues… as most of us will use toilet paper if need be, a box of soft tissues is such an inexpensive luxury…
I recently had this experience at The Coral Tree guest house in Montana when I needed to blow my nose and the luxury of tissues was right at hand. We all know that a piece of toilet paper or a serviette would have sufficed, but low and behold my feeling of being nurtured when I had the luxury of a soft tissue to wipe my nose. Elegance deluxe…
8… Curtains/blinds or whatever is good to keep out the light and sounds. Most of the time we have to get up very early, but just sometimes we get that odd day to sleep in. This is when we love a dark room. Here I might add that the barking dog really does not add to a feeling of tranquillity. Birdsong, on the other hand, is what I always hope for. A well-nurtured garden is not only soft on the eyes but also attracts birds and bees for an ambient feeling of wellness.
7… Duvets sometimes tend to be just too warm especially in our South African summertime… and specifically the really good down feather ones. So, have that extra top sheet and invest in a nice light, inexpensive (colour of your room) fleecy blanket which could be ever so helpful for those warm summer nights. Who knows, you could even save laundry time and money on the unused duvet. I don’t know if this is for everyone, but that ever so tiny scatter cushion does wonders for me for a better night’s sleep… strangely, I cannot sleep without this between my knees anymore. Obviously, if the establishment doesn’t have this, I shall use my rolled up scarf which is always in my bag. So for me just a nice added pleasure. Also, the bed will look prettier and just so much more inviting especially if you did not invest in a good bed.
6… A mirror… we have been to many establishments without even the smallest mirror against the wall, a decorous full length is not only a bonus but can be very attractive and even makes your room look bigger.
5… A coffee station is always a nice touch. As you well know that being The Naked Barista, I always take our own, but sometimes we arrive late at our accommodation and have to leave very early. Those are the times when we do not cart in all our belongings and have to rely on the spoils of our host. I see Enrista coffee in rooms more of late, but my speciality which is rooibos tea I only find few and far between. For an even better feature, add just two rusks in a glass jar… and see many more return visits, which is what you wish for your establishment, is it not?
4… Towels, all the more so if they are very clean, soft towels… even if we always do have our own towels at hand…
Recently we have noticed that a few establishments put out only one towel for the two of us, obviously because of our water shortage… but, again if you want to have your guests feel special, a fluffy clean towel for just you really goes a long way.
3… Toilet paper… yes, and not just the one, always have one extra waiting to be used.
I know it costs a bit to have all these ten tips in place, but for me, it really shows if an establishment just wants to make money from us or if they also want us to feel at home in the space provided… believe me there is no better way of showing this as with that extra toilet roll which would set you back less than ten rands. Most of the time it will not even be used, but in this case, it really is the thought that counts.
2… Invest in the best bed possible as hopefully, it is going to be used long and often… also do not skimp on bedding either… you have to have very good quality which is going to last. White bedding to me always has a luxurious look and feel and can be paired with absolutely any other colour. White linen is fast becoming the most used as the best-kept secret is unveiling… white can be bleached and colour makes for an unnecessary laundry challenge.
…AND NOW FOR NO 1…
SHOWER / BATH or even both together. This shower hose in
the pic teams up perfectly for an inexpensive bath/shower combo.
(Maybe this would be the best place to insert also a toilet with enough pressure to flush properly) or if you really want to impress me… all three together makes for the absolute jackpot… but here is the key to a good stay… it is not only the fact that there would be a facility of being able to cleanse but more so the actual water that reaches a body…
Most establishments go for the awesome decorative ‘look’… the shower head looking like a huge sunflower or square or something exotic. It absolutely always fails to impress when you turn on the shower and find that the water pressure only allows a dribble. If I may have an input… stick with the one that works which is not the most expensive one at all.
Who knows… you could even buy a few rolls of toilet paper with the saving…
I am feeling superblessed indeed to have taken this opportunity to be sooo outspoken…
...and would be even more
superblessed with gratitude to receive your comments on what your list would look like …