Our Ultimate Host Checklist

As a Freebird host, you’ll be in an amazing position to meet a wide variety of similar minded travellers who you’ll undoubtedly want to make feel welcome.

Whether you’re a perennial entertainer, or your hospitality skills are a bit rusty, there’s something to be said for having a list ready of steps to do when you’re expecting someone to stay in your home.

We covered a few things to do in our guide to hosting different cultures but to make it as easy as possible, we’ve collated a list of all the basics you should prepare before and during their stay to help them – and you – during their visit.

1. Before they arrive

– Send them a welcome email.

This should ask them about their dietary requirements and if you plan on cooking, confirm any meals you’ll be catering for. Ask about any allergies, confirm their arrival and departure dates. It’s also a good excuse to get in touch with them and finalise some details. Provide a local weather forecast so they know what clothes to arrive with (and in!). You could even send them our Ultimate Travel Checklist to help them remember everything they need.

Also confirm with them how they’re getting to your house, and provide some options (public transport routes, cab numbers etc). If you want, you can also swap phone numbers for easier communication.

– Plan any meals

You could provide breakfast – but if you’ve offered to provide, or cook any other meals then make sure you take this into account when thinking about the days they’re staying. Are you going to provide a local delicacy or dust off an unused recipe?

– Stock the fridge / larder

If you want to go above and beyond, don’t just get the food that’s been pre-arranged, but add all manner of little picky snacks. Olives, breadsticks etc, that you can bring out before dinner or at lunch. Imagine it’s Christmas and there’s food everywhere. It’s a wonderful feeling, picking at some peanuts.

– Print or send a Welcome Pack

It’s a nice touch (and will make your life easier) to prepare a welcome pack for your guests. This could contain information about your home (such as alarm codes, wifi info, even creaky floorboards!), as well as some recommendations of places to eat and drink locally, sights to see and even nearby walks.

Answer all the questions that you’d have on arrival in a new place – everything you’d get in a hotel or B’n’B listing.

– Clean the house

It should go without saying, but as we’re covering everything, we’re mentioning it. Whether you hire some help, or do it yourself – ensure the house is clean and tidy and ready for guests. Empty the bins, clean the surfaces and get some air fresheners to make the whole place feel new.

Also use this point to make sure there’s enough shower gel, shampoo and conditioner and soap in the bathroom – as well as toilet paper!

– Prepare the guest room

Put on new bedding: sheets, duvet cover and pillows. Two clean towels – one for hair and one for body. Maybe even get a face cloth ready. If you want, you could create the hotel bedding experience at home by increasing the thread count on your linen, and buying some natural down pillows. Do pay attention to allergy sufferers though!

Check all the lightbulbs and sockets work. Consider getting some adaptors if your guest is flying in from a different country.

You could provide a welcome hamper with some bottled water, sweet and savoury snack, tissues and the welcome pack. If your walls are thin and the sun rises early (or even if you think it’s thoughtful), add an eye mask and ear plugs.

Put some flowers in their room, or light a scented candle – you could also provide an iPhone (or Multi) charger. All of these little touches add finesse to the experience.

This is going to be their space for the next few days so it’s nice to make it feel inviting.

2. When they arrive

– Offer them a drink, and give them a tour of the house. Perhaps start with their room so they can leave their bag(s) there.

– Show them the key areas of the house they’ll be using, and where they can get any extras they might need (towels, tissues etc) as well as where the first aid kid is kept..

– If you’re happy for them to help themselves to items from the fridge or cupboard, or if you have set aside a specific area for them to, show them where this is.

– Offer to go through the welcome pack with them – and make any specific recommendations you have. Run through the itinerary for the next few days and then leave them to it.

3. After they’ve gone

Clean the house again. You could hire a cleaner for this. It means the room will be ready for the next guest, and the place will feel reset after they’ve gone.

Send a follow up email thanking them for coming and hoping everything was to their satisfaction. Do ask for feedback – both positive and negative. It’s always good to know that your actions and gestures were well received, or if there’s anything you can do to make the next person even more comfortable!

Hopefully you’ll have struck up a friendship that will last long beyond this visit, and you might even be lucky enough to be invited to experience your guest’s hospitality.

If you’d like to find out more and speak with our members about where they’re from, you can join Freebird Club’s vibrant travel club for the over 50s here.

Pre-Arrival Checklist:

• – Welcome Email
• – Dietary Requirements
• – Allergies
• – Weather
• – Welcome Pack
• – Travel Checklist
• – Arrival / Departure dates
• – Plan Meals
• – Breakfasts
• – Lunches
• – Dinners
• – Stock Fridge
• – Meals
• – Snacks
• – Print/Send Welcome pack
• – Clean House
• – Guest Room
• – Bathroom
• – Kitchen
• – Living Area
• – Prepare guest room
• – Bulbs / sockets
• – Bedding
• – Towels
• – Welcome Hamper
• – Candle / Flowers
• – Welcome Hamper
• – Water
• – Snacks
• – Charger
• – Eyemask
• – Ear Plugs