Holiday Guest Hosting Tips from Hampton Hotels + Giveaway #HamptonHoliday
10:52 AM
Compensation was provided by Hampton Hotel via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Hampton or Momtrends.
The holidays are a time for love, laughter, visiting with family and stress. Oh the stress! Are you going to have the gift bought in time? Did you pick up the ham for Christmas dinner? Is the house clean for when guests arrive? When you should be enjoying family, you're stressing over whether that gigantic dust bunny that you've all named Fred is still living under the kids' bed since the last time you checked. It shouldn't be so hard, and now it doesn't have to be. Want to be the perfect holiday host? Check out these incredible holiday hosting tips from Hampton Hotels.
Tip 1: Be the Best Off-Site Host Ever!
We all love our families, but let's face it, you put us in a house alone with them for a few days and each other's throats. That's why tip number one is to be the best off-site host you can be. Hampton Hotels uses a term known as Hamptonality to explain the hospitality they show to each of their guests. Choosing a Hampton Hotel for your holiday guests ensures that they are being catered to even when you're not there. With over 1,900 locations, Hampton Hotels are a perfect place to stay no matter where guests are visiting from.
Tip 2: Surprise Your Guests with Welcome Treats
Who doesn't like to have treats? Giving your guests a welcome treat is a great way to instantly make them feel special. Remember the Santa Cookie Pops from a few days ago, they would make a great welcome treat for holiday guests. Hampton Hotels know all about this, they often include a local treat for guests when they check into the hotel.
Tip 3: Make Time for Exercise and Fresh Air
Being cooped up in a crowded house is no ones idea of fun. Make sure you plan plenty of activities that include getting exercise and fresh air. We have a season ice skating rink with faux ice that sets up in town during the holidays, that would make the perfect outing for when guests visit. Guests at Hampton Hotels can enjoy plenty of exercise in their fitness centers and swimming pools.
Tip 4: Make Time for Resting
Just like you need to make time for getting out, you also need to schedule time to stay in and rest. Take it from someone with experience, if you plan a jam-packed schedule, you are only going to burn everyone out and no one will have fun.
Tip 5: Stock Up on Extras
Take a tip out of your local Hampton handbook and anticipate what your guests might need or have forgotten and stock up on it. Also, try to gauge the extra food, drinks and other essentials that are needed when hosting extra family members.
Tip 6: Plan Fun Games
Who doesn't love games? There is a ton of holiday fun you can plan to have with visiting guests. Have an ugly holiday sweater contest or a gingerbread man decorating competition to get the festivities started!
Tip 7: Big Breakfasts
A big breakfast is not only good for you, it gets the day started off right for your guests. If they're staying at a Hampton Hotel, they will be treated to a free hot breakfast including fresh-baked waffles each morning!
Tip 8: Celebrate Past Holidays
Reminiscing about past holidays spent together can be a great way to life the mood of any get together. Get out old photos or videos of past holidays and enjoy going through them with your guests.
Tip 9: Plan One Special Night for the Adults
The holidays are generally all about the kids, as they should be. Every once in a while though, it is nice for the parents to get away alone together. Plan to have a babysitter or ask the grandparents to take over for the night, so the parents can get out for some fun alone.
Tip 10: Prepare!
Don't save things until the last minute. Prepare for your guests and anticipate what they might need. Plenty of planning is the best way to make your guests feel welcomed. Easy pre-planned meals can give you more time for your guests and cut down on the workload when they are visiting!
{The Hamptonality Difference}
Hampton Hotels have 1,900 locations worldwide, so there is almost always one nearby. Each of these locations offers guests free hot breakfast with fresh-baked waffles, free wired or wireless high speed internet in each guest room, and the signature clean and fresh Hampton bed® for a perfect night's sleep.
Hampton also offers something known as Hamptonality to each of their guests. This is their ideal of what customer service truly should be.
The 5 Tenets of Hamptonality are:
- Unexpected delight
- Being anticipatory
- Sharing a compliment
- Providing a moment of humor
- Showing empathy
Connect with Hampton Hotels:
Hampton.com
{Giveaway}
One lucky Life With 4 Boys reader is going to win a 1 night stay at any Hampton Hotels location within the United States. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
89 comments
Such great tips! I bet you're so much fun of a party host. Great post!
ReplyDeleteZoe
http://thatszoe.blogspot.com
I tell my guests to make themselves at home and to help themselves.
ReplyDeleteWe show our Hamptonality by serving big breakfasts.
ReplyDeleteI like to be anticipatory. I usually provide my guests with a "Welcome" basket when they arrive. It is filled with things they may/may not need during their visit! Ya never know when that aspirin may come in handy (during the holidays!) - CJ Godfrey
ReplyDeleteby serving a big buffet breakfast
ReplyDeleteI let me guests know it is their home away from home and they are special
ReplyDeleteI show my Hamptonality by stocking up on extra food and drinks
ReplyDeleteI show my Hamptonality by making my guests feel like they are at home
ReplyDeleteabfantom at yahoo dot com
Always have soft fresh towels and sheets
ReplyDeleteI definitely am one to stock up on extras for guests - whether it's their favorite foods, music, linens, etc., I try to make sure they have everything they need to feel comfortable and taken care of!
ReplyDeleteGeoff K
gkaufmanss at yahoo dot com
We always try and make sure our guests have what they need and know where to find extra items like food.
ReplyDeleteI do it with awesome breakfasts for my kids.
ReplyDeleteUnexpected Delight: We welcome all of our guests with a large Breakfast, choice of omelets, several meats, multiple egg styles, waffles (homemade)!!!
ReplyDeleteI always serve a big breakfast
ReplyDeleteGreat tips!I always serve coffee and breakfast!
ReplyDeleteI do so by stocking up on food and drink items I know they enjoy along with fresh towels and linens
ReplyDeleteI try to be anticipatory by leaving a basket in their room with toiletries and other items they may have forgotten or need while they're staying to make them feel at home. We also do the big breakfasts!
ReplyDeletehaving a big breakfast
ReplyDeletefreebiel0ve@yahoo.com
thanks for all the great info
ReplyDeleteI love giving little treat bags for all guest to take home as a welcome gift and along the way have an agenda built so no part of the day goes to waste
ReplyDeletehahaha MY guests are always family. They KNOW I do NOT do early mornings. Oh no, Gramma is retired from the crack of dawn when the kids force you to get up routine. Gma gets to sleep in until 8:30 now. BUT I DO have everything they love to make for Breakfast on hand. hahahaha. I DO still make dinner, however. And I do remember what everyone's favorites are and make them when they are here. I remember who likes what sort of pillow, what blankets, etc. We even kept more TVs on the Satellite service than we actually even need, just so they can have TV in their guest rooms. hahaha Which are their own old bedrooms!
ReplyDeleteUnexpected delight! I love to have gifts for guests!
ReplyDeletei try to have a nice welcome gift for guests
ReplyDeleteI have fresh flower on the dresser.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the most important ways you can show hospitality to your guests is to ensure that they feel comfortable. You want them to feel as if they are at home.
ReplyDeletexnicolenewbyx@hotmail.com
I always share compliments and provide moments of humor, i'm pretty hilarious!
ReplyDeletestephanie ann
By having lots of food and treats for the guests.
ReplyDeleteI serve big breakfasts with lots of fruit.
ReplyDeleteI try to have some of their favorite foods and some fun activities planned
ReplyDeletesksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net
We show Hamptonality to our guests by leaving a small bowl with assorted chocolates in their room.
ReplyDeleteI serve a great breakfast
ReplyDeleteAlways keep my sense of humor when we have guests.
ReplyDeleteWe keep it light, tell jokes and play games :)
ReplyDeletewe always have fresh towels and linens for our guests.
ReplyDeletegabbflabber at live.com
i show them the hampton hospitality we have all grown to love and expect.
ReplyDeleteI'd always have fresh sheets and freshly washed towels.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you have pets, make sure your guests know ahead of time, they may be thrilled, or maybe not.
ReplyDeleteWe stock our firdge and pantry with our guests' favorite foods and beverages to make them feel at home.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
I try to make them feel at home by having plenty of food and drinks on hand and having a comfortable place for them to sleep.
ReplyDeleteI have lots of their favorite snacks and drinks.
ReplyDeleteI make sure the room they are staying in is all clean and the linens are fresh and so clean clean.
ReplyDeleteI always try to provide a moment of humor!
ReplyDeletehd6719 at gmail dot com
I make sure to have clean sheets and towels.
ReplyDeleteMy tip is to have a variety of beverages to cover most preferences - water, soda, juice, alcohol.
ReplyDeletea happy, happy, happy comfortable bed makes a happy, happy, happy customer
ReplyDeleteI make them feel comfortable and welcome
ReplyDeleteI keep the guest bathroom stocked with travel shampoo, soap, etc. in case my guests need any.
ReplyDeleteEnsure the kitchen is spotless! Everyone spends time in the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteI show my Hamptonality to guests by stocking up on their favorite snacks
ReplyDeletekellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom
go to bed early
ReplyDeleteprovide lots of snacks and drink choices make then feel at home
ReplyDeleteI cook big meals and lots of snacks.
ReplyDeleteI try to serve them a home cooked breakfast
ReplyDeleteI always make sure I make a food item that is their favorite!
ReplyDeleteI always have something fun planned for my guests, that everyone will enjoy
ReplyDeleteDigicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
for me sharing a compliment.
ReplyDeletedanielle marie xdanimarie(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would give extra pillows
ReplyDeleteOne way I do is when my guest stay over they do get a hospitality basket I have created from free samples on sale washcloths etc. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeletei serve a big breakfast with a smile
ReplyDeleteWe try to have a special desert when guests are ver
ReplyDeleteI always leave magazines and tickets to local attractions when they visit
ReplyDeleteI try to prepare a delicious meal for my guests.
ReplyDeleteAlways try to give them a fun new experience!
ReplyDeleteI have food and drink that they like for snacks!
ReplyDeleteI like to show our Hamptonality by serving big breakfasts.
ReplyDeleteI like to serve my guests a nice breakfast with waffles, coffee, and milk!
ReplyDeleteI always share compliments with my family to make them feel better.
ReplyDeleteBrittney House BBrittBrat1398@yahoo.com
I don't have guests often, but when friends are in town I try to anticipate needs and be prepared with things or info they might need!
ReplyDeleteWe always have a fresh bed available and serve a nice big breakfast
ReplyDeletertrexel@gmail.com
It would be so awesome to win that giveaway
ReplyDeleteI try to have some of their favorite foods and some fun activities planned
ReplyDeleteI do share compliments with my guests. I always try to focus on the positive.
ReplyDeleteby serving big breakfasts
ReplyDeleteI'd be anticipatory and make sure to have extra toiletries just in case!
ReplyDeleteI always make sure my guests have enough bedding
ReplyDeletejoseph gersch
I feed them well - no one goes hungry in my house!
ReplyDeleteI do by making my guest feel like they can help themselves
ReplyDeleteI like to stock the guest room with special items like nice soaps and magazines. I also make the bed super comfy with extra pillows and nice bedding.
ReplyDeletetderosa142 at gmail dot com
I would show my Hamptonality to my guests by serving them delicious homemade meals.
ReplyDeleteLeidy R rafflecopter
To have plenty of food and drinks.
ReplyDeleteI make a big breakfast for guests.
ReplyDeleteI serve big breakfasts and remind my guests to help themselves feel comfortable
ReplyDeleteAlways keep my sense of humor when we have guests.
ReplyDeleteI always have extras on hand for my guests!
ReplyDeleteI always try to put myself in my guests shoes. I try to anticipate every need and provide every comfort I can. Big meals and lots of goodies are important as well.
ReplyDeleteI would make sure there is plenty of extra bedding. I recently stayed somewhere and there was not enough bedding to keep me warm. thank you
ReplyDeletecandieluster(at)gmail(dot)com
I like to plan fun activities for my guests including special kid busyness and a parent's night out so everyone feels special.
ReplyDeleteWe leave lots of goodies in their room for them to snack on,.
ReplyDeleteI make breakfast!
ReplyDelete