Prepare a house for hospitality?

Question

We are having a very important guest come stay with us for a few days. What are some touches I can put on the house to make it look especially inviting? Any preparation I should make?

Answer 1

You might want to hire a professional cleaning service to get the house into the most immaculate shape.  Don't forget to have the carpets cleaned and purchase new linens and towels.  Flowers are great, adding a gift basket or fruit basket to the guest room would be above and beyond too.  You can create a gift basket with the new linens if you want, add water, snacks, magazines, all those little things that a person wants when traveling.  Little soaps and lotions make your guest room seem like a hotel.  If you can afford to really go all out, hire a chef or have some meals catered.  Also, think about the guest and what they are used to.  You say they are important, consider what luxuries they have at home or other places that they stay and try to offer such things if you can.  Thinking about the house, make sure you have windows open, fans, extra blankets, and eliminate all the clutter from your home if possible.

Answer 2

If you are going all out put out some fresh flowers and have clean new towels in the bathrooms and kitchen.

Answer 3

Make sure the house is clean, put a little mint or chocolate on their pillow, get some fresh flowers for their room and the dining room table

Answer 4

Flowers, make sure their room is clean and neat, supply tissue box, soap and toothpaste for the bathroom.

Answer 5

Bake some bread so the odor will permeate the house.  (I love the idea about the flowers and towels.)  Stock the kitchen with some of your guests favorite food.  

Be sure the house and the yard are immaculately clean.  Escpecially the bathroom!