Fresh flowers and plants around public areas, guest rooms and bathrooms.
It’s amazing how fresh cut flowers can add that little something special to areas in your home. It adds colour, freshness, texture and gives guest the idea that you thought about making them feel special upon arrival. You do not necessarily need to have expensive flowers, even a few daisies or wild flowers can have the same desired effect. Quick tip – adding bleach to the water will make the flowers last longer. House plants and greenery add a dash of life to all areas within your establishment.
A personalized guest basket
This can be placed in the bedroom for guests and can contain small items that will make a guest stay more comfortable. Examples of items that can be included are snacks such as biscuits, nuts, biltong, water, sweets, a bottle of wine or local snacks. Small toiletry items such as cotton buds, a lint roller, cotton wool, toothpaste and hand sanitizer are thoughtful ideas. If you know your guests will be travelling with children maybe print outs for colouring in with a few crayons will be a sweet touch.
A clean space
Gosh this one goes a LONG way, give me any space if its clean. Attention to detail is important, create a list for housekeeping or yourself to follow to ensure no areas are missed. Remember to wipe and dust areas which may not be in your view such as the top of doors and cupboards, the top of ceiling fans etc. Ensure maintenance items are maintained such as faulty light bulbs, paint issues, ensure small issues are attended to and not left for a long time. Bathrooms especially need to be spotless, ensure grouting is clean, showers are free from mold and that the toilet is sparkling and smelling fresh. Linens and towel needs to be immaculate, crispy clean and fresh, remember to refresh these items regularly.
Add information of the surrounding area and things to do
You can create a little booklet of sorts that can be reused which includes activities, restaurants, emergency contact information, your Wi-Fi username and password. Also include information about your establishment, breakfast times, breakfast menus, what to do in case of etc. Adding a personalized welcome card is so special and will take about 1 minute to write up before your guests arrive and it is also a cute memory guests can take home with them. Guest reviews and feedback is paramount to the success of your business, add a guest feedback book at reception for guests to add any comments upon checkout, ask them to be as honest as possible to improve your service delivery.
Artwork
Artwork does not need to cost hundreds and thousands of rands, free printables are available all over the internet and one can find really special nature shots, vintage postcards or pictures of the surrounding area to add some colour to a bare wall whether it is in the main bedroom, bathroom or public areas. Gallery walls are very trendy at the moment and add personality to a space. Do be pedantic about straight lines and spaces – a perfectly positioned frame is pleasing to the eye.
Your website
Please please please do you utmost to ensure your website is optimized for mobile as most travellers will search using their mobile phones. Perfectly optimized websites with easy navigation will make the guest experience a pleasant one even before they arrive at your property. The quality of the pictures uploaded onto your website and social media platforms need to be top tier and captivating. Try using your local Facebook community page to find upcoming web designers and photographers wanting to build their portfolios to assist you; perhaps at a discounted rate.
Others…
- If you know your guests are exercise or yoga fanatics, having a yoga mat in room will be a pleasing extra add.
- This may be a long shot however if you can capture a polaroid or picture of your guest last stay you can place this in a frame for them on their next visit.
- Should it be Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Autumn, Spring etc. adding season appropriate knickknacks (a small trivial article usually intended for ornament) is a sweet touch.
- Interesting coffees, teas and other warm drinks displayed on your tea/coffee making stations also add an additional touch of quality and thoughtfulness in the guest bedrooms.
Thank you for reading this post; if you have any other ideas please add them in the comment fields below 🙂 HAVE A HAPPY FESTIVE!!!!
