All the things your guests would want but may be too shy to ask for.
Nothing teaches you more about being a good host and how to stock your guest room than being a guest yourself.
One Shabbos last winter, my family stayed in a beautiful basement that belonged to complete strangers. We had been placed there by my cousins who were hosting a simcha nearby. Those guests quarters, it seemed, contained everything we needed, from lush towels to comfy linens. But there was no clock on the wall. Or on the night table. Not even in the kitchenette…I had forgotten my watch on my kitchen counter back at home. How was I going to figure out when it was time to start walking to the simcha hall?
That’s when I realized, that although I host frequently and always thought my guest rooms were stocked with everything one might need, I too, did not have a clock hanging. As soon as I got back home, I looked at my guestroom with new eyes and got to work filling in all the gaps.
Here’s a list to help ensure your guest room truly isn’t missing a thing.
In the room
Clock
I like these here, they are cheap and last a long time, battery operated, so you have no issues. Make sure to turn off the alarm tho, I didn’t and guess what, all my guests were up at 6 am!! Gasp.
Hangers in the closet
It’s nice to have them all matching. These are a classic look that will stay neat and pretty as well. You don’t need more than 5 in each closet, and, if you want, a nice touch is to add the coordinating skirt hangers too.
Sheitel head
A traditional styrofoam sheitel head is always appreciated. Leave it in the closet. You can also get this cool one here, which looks nice in a room even if not in the closet.
Chair
A chair is very important to have in a guestroom. Especially if hosting elderly people or nursing mothers, try to make sure you can squeeze a chair in.
Pack and Play
Place one inside the closet with a clean sheet and blanket (it’s a nice touch).
Extra pillow in the closet
Shabbos Lamp
Make sure to turn on the shabbos lamp before Shabbos- sometimes guests forget to do so, or arrive late.
Empty Drawers
It sounds redundant but it’s not. Make sure your guests can unpack (How many times did you start unpacking only to realize that the drawers are full of items your host stores in the guestroom?)
Assorted Chargers
A nice touch is to have a few basic chargers available in the room. This plug takes care of that, all wires in one. Make sure to have this cube in your outlet as well.
Sound machine
Tuck a sound machine away in the closet, on a shelf, and you will be surprised how many of your guests will use it. Its amazing, especially for children who are not used to the new surroundings. It’s not expensive and so appreciated.
A Full Length Mirror
Every woman needs a full length mirror. Especially if she’s going to a simcha, is that right? You don’t need to spend much, you can find cheap door mirrors in places like Walmart or even on Amazon.
Trash can
A trash can is a necessity and does not need to be an eyesore. We loved this sleek trash can; it’s even prettier in real!
Tissues in every room
Leave a box of tissues on night tables. Make sure they are open and ready for use.
Luggage rack
If you have the room, a luggage rack is a nice addition but completely extra. It’s nice to know that the suitcase won’t end on the bed, if you know what we mean…
In the bathroom
Enough Towels
Try to have matching towels, preferably all white. White is always the most inviting.
Disposable toothbrushes are so inviting and easy to add to any bathroom
Individual mouthwash
Pick these up in Target at the travel aisle or here, in bulk
Soap Bars
Individual toiletries like this
Toothpaste and individual dental flossers
Shampoo
Children’s shampoo
Fresh wipes
Lens solution and new lens case
Mini cups
Perfect for rinsing your mouth or even storing jewelry overnight, these cups are always welcome
Feminine products
Advil or Tylenol in single packs
Rain bonnet
A rain bonnet is always appreciated. Here is one that’s cheap enough to be almost disposable.
Band Aids
These small additions add so much to your hospitality and are easy to refill once you have them all in bulk. All small items as these can look really nice in a box like this, tucked on a shelf or under the sink. See this post for more Hotel Style Amenities for Your Guests.
In the kitchenette area, or in a small corner:
Water bottles
Hot water urn with hot cups, coffee, sugar, sweeteners, teas, spoons, napkins and milk in the refrigerator.
Mini grape juice bottles for the women who want to make kiddush and enjoy a coffee.
A siddur with tehillim and a chumash.
Milk and cereal for little kids (I like to include that for my guests. Since my guest rooms, in the basement, have a separate entrance, often I don’t see guests as they come and go as they please. I know it’s hard to wake up early in a strange home, especially when you have small children. Besides for cereal, I also like to include some other basics like yogurt.) A good idea is to stock mini boxes of cereal so that they don’t get stale.
A few basic board games and toys like Cliks or Legos for guests with children
Books and reading material, preferably suitable for different genders and a range of ages. Biographies and such work well, as do magazines.
Did I miss anything? Suggestions welcome!
Other ideas include a sound machine, shabbos lamps (turn them on before shabbos) hotel slippers (available on Amazon) 2 white plush bathrobes – also available on Amazon – tie the belts into a pretty bow so your guest will know they r clean, an assortment of feminine products in the bathroom (how many times have my guest have had to ask for for those….) mini cologne and perfume, …….
Thank you CW! I added some of your ideas to the post!
A full-length mirror is always very convenient to have. A small trash can, hand soap and box of tissues are also important. A rain bonnet or poncho can also come in handy.
Thank you NM! All great suggestions. Mirrors are super important, I agree.
An extra blanket is good to have on hand too
I once stayed at a guest house and they had mini Dixie cups for the mouthwash! Loved that!
A plunger for the toilet! Its a pretty embarrassing this for a guest to have to ask the host for (although were all human and it happens…)
snood, laundry bag
Tylenol, bandaids, nail polish remover (think mikvah..), q-tips, cotton pads, extra blankets (basements are always cold), mini cereal boxes (so they dont get stale from one guest to the next!), baked goods for shabbos am, waterbottles/perrier/other drinks in fridge, sucking candies in a pretty dish, towels rolled up in a nice basket, siddur, local directory or important numbers, phone, map of jewish landmarks in the area (ie. Shuls,bakeries,stores, etc) closet large enough for a crib with large vents so babies who are light sleepers can stay asleep when guests come in and out of the room, black-out shades or eye masks (may as well have the best sleep possible!), and of course- earplugs to drown out the noise from upstairs!!!!!
I’ve had that issue as a guest with no clocks on Shabbos … I bought a really small battery clock and keep it in my travel pouch. It’s come in handy a few times!
Tissues and extra box that is open
A small bottle of Advil is super clutch as well in the bathroom cabinets
Wow you covered everything. One thing I plan on adding in my guest room is a luggage rack that folds like in a hotel.
Best not to have white towels. They can cause TH issues for women.
Was scrolling down to see if anyone mentioned this. I get so nervous when there are white towels or sheets with white on them!
Yes I was also thinking this should be mentioned. Best not to do white towels or sheets!
This list is awesome, thanks a ton BCP!!
Wish I can fwd this post to my mother in law, LOL
Garbage bags, small for the mini can and bigger for laundry. So helpful.
Paper towels.
Your name and phone number and address somewhere obvious. If you live in an eruv, print out small cards with your family name and address and a close intersection/landmark for guests to take along. It’s so easy to forget where you’re staying in a new city.
Deck of cards
Disposables
Kiddish cup for the grape juice – either disposable or an inexpensive real one. Closeout connection has, judaica stores too
Washing cups and bowls for those who like negel vasser by the bed.
Siddur, tehillim, Can also include other seforim like tanach or set of chumashim, mishnayos. Best in a closet with doors if possible,
Where mizrach is! So many times I’ve been in a beautiful guest room and want to daven but have no clue which way to daven.
Put a soft waterproof cover on the mattresses and pillows – not the crinkly kind. Well worth the expense to keep them clean.
Extra set or 2 of linens that are handy, just in case.
Skip air fresheners or diffusers – some people (like me) are allergic to most scents. Staying in a scented place is so hard for me. Ditto for feather pillows which I’m also allergic to. If you do have feather pillows, please put a couple synthetic in a closet for those who need.
Spray sunscreen in the summer. Also bug spray.
If you live in a cold place – keep a bin with extra scarves/earmuffs/gloves in diff sizes. So easy to forget these things at home, and if people need to walk in the winter, essential. You can get them from the dollar store, don’t need to spend a lot.
Rain bonnets, rain ponchos. If you want to be fancy, Shein coats
Also easy and clear access to your home and guest apartment.
1. A clear, lit number. This is very helpful to guests trying to find your house in the dark in a city they don’t know. But also vital for every homeowner in case Hatzala or ambulance needs to find you cv”s. It’s astonishing how many houses dont even have a number, let alone a lit one. (Also for people trying to deliver invitations or gifts!)
2. The path/steps/door to the guest area needs to be well lit – check that lightbulbs work and are on – and free of obstacles or garbage. Often, it’s a staircase in back or side of the house, and the owner may not go there so often. But it makes it easier and safer for your guests if it’s clear.
Happy hosting! Tizku l’mitzvos!
A “shabbos lock” aka non-electronic keypad for the guest door. Even if you live in a place with an eruv, some people are makpid not to carry, and keys can easily be lost or forgotten. Make the code something easy to remember (not 12345!) – most people use a word in gematria. This code should be written in hebrew and in numbers on that sheet with your name/address/phone, not on the cards you give out. Some people also put the code in Hebrew taped outside near the lock.
Another nice thing to provide are diapers in various sizes, or just 1,3,5 maybe, and babywipes. A total extra but very appreciated if someone runs out.