May, 2014
T h e g i f t o f h o s p i ta l i t y
Luxury hotels do a great job of making their guests feel welcome. Some guests find that feeling in the friendly staff, others in the scent of fresh flowers in the common areas and others in the quality of the amenities. There is however nothing more wonderful than feeling welcome in someone’s home.
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great host/hostess makes you feel comfortable from the minute you walk through the door, you get the feeling that they are very excited to have you as a guest. From fresh flowers to a seasonal bowl
of fruit just waiting to be plucked and enjoyed to the neverending cheese and olive platters, delicious wines, stocked gourmet pantry delicacies and filled candy dishes, the care and preparation for your arrival is evident. Step into your guest room, and it feels like you’ve hit the hospitality lottery. A wrapped gift left on the bed—inside you might find a beautiful candle, a wonderful book, or a box of delicious specialty teas. There are more fresh flowers, a fancy bottle of water, irresistible chocolates, the latest magazines (with pages earmarked and with notes like, “I thought you’d like this story about…”). Make it personal! Place your favorite new beauty products in the bathroom, to create a spa experience.
What makes a great hostess? The first few minutes when someone comes into your home sets the tone for the whole weekend. Have lots of munchies out and at the ready to signal guests that they can be casual and make themselves at home. You want your guests to know they can let their hair down for the weekend. As for gifts, start with a hand-written note left in your guest’s room. When people make the effort to get on an airplane or in www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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