*pre-s - I am a Southern mama. I'm into hospitality. I've stayed with all sorts of people and have never been turned away for a return trip. These tips work.
*this post contains affiliate links, but only ones I reeeally like*
1. Plan ahead
If you have been invited, good for you! You're in the clear to start planning your trip. If you are going to ask someone for a place to stay, give them at least two weeks notice if absolutely possible.
2. BYO...
The MUST BRING items, unless your host tells you otherwise, are just your clothes, phone chargers, toiletries, and shampoo/soap.
These next things are optional, but consider bringing them based on what you know about your host's home and lifestyle.
- preferred pillow
- white noise machine
- laptop/charger
- preferred coffee or tea
- notebook
- books
Food:
You may or may not want to bring your own food, but if you do, share generously with your host, keep it contained, stay away from smelly foods, and for goodness sake, LEAVE THE LEFTOVERS.
3. Neat and tidy
Keep your things from sprawling all around the house by using the space your host has given you as your home base. If you are staying for an extended period of time, hopefully the host will have offered up some closet or dresser space. Otherwise, bring one of these:
Be sure to pull your weight with chores, and clean up after any meals you share.
4. Leaving
Unlike a hotel or BnB, there's probably no maid service to clean up after you when you leave. The rule of thumb is to do as much as you can without stepping on any toes, preference-wise.
- Strip the bed of all sheets and pillow cases.
- EITHER remake the bed with no sheets, or fold blankets at the foot of the bed and stack pillows nearby.
- Straighten up the room so that it looks as close as possible to how you found it.
- If you had your own bathroom, use one of your used washcloths to wipe down the shower. Wipe down the sink area.
- Take the sheets to the laundry room. If your host is not with you as you are leaving, put the sheets in the washer and leave them without adding detergent or starting the machine. If the host is nearby, ask how they prefer the sheets washed.
- Take all of your things to your car, then come back to check the room for messes or missed items.
- Leave a small thank you note on the bed and close the door.
5. Finishing well
Before you pack up, run to the grocery store and pick up a small bouquet of flowers. Do this as close to your departure as possible, so that the host gets to enjoy the flowers for longer.
After you get home, send a thank you note. Depending on how well you know the host, this could be a cute card, a little present from Amazon, a fun text. Anything to make it clear to your host that you enjoyed your stay and appreciated their trouble.
If you follow these steps, you'll never have trouble making a return visit anywhere you want to go!
See anything I missed? Let me know in the comments!
