What to put into finished basement to make guests love it?

challahchallah

Mon, Aug 23 2021, 12:55 pm

I think a good night’s sleep makes a huge difference, so anything you can do to facilitate that—comfortable beds & linen, blackout curtains for any windows, white noise machine, etc.

Also to reiterate hangers. I feel like this is a touch that is often forgotten but is very cheap to remedy.

amother

Lotus

Mon, Aug 23 2021, 1:06 pm

Toys, books magazines
I would love to come to their guest room! When am I invited??

zaq

Mon, Aug 23 2021, 1:26 pm

GOOD LIGHTING most important, including a Kosher Lamp or equivalent
an LED clock
good mirrors
plenty of soap, tissues, TP and towels in plain view
generously-sized wastebaskets
plenty of empty surfaces to park belongings
clothes hangers including skirt hangers
conveniently-placed outlets

amother

Mintcream

Mon, Aug 23 2021, 1:37 pm

I went away a lot as a newlywed precovid. We loved when there was a kosher lamp. Also one place had a mini fridge that had milk and water plus a hot water tub with coffee and sugar. If it’s a basement or inner room with no window a fan or some form of ventilation is appreciated (since you don’t like to sleep with an open door as a guest).

Blessing1

Mon, Aug 23 2021, 1:42 pm

What I found missing many times as a guest was:
A FULL LENGTH MIRROR (in all caps because so many guest rooms we've stayed at don't have mirrors and I couldn't see how I look before going to a simcha.) We had a simcha this shabbos and afew people mentioned that there's no full length mirror in the room.
Shabbos lamp
Clock
Lock on the door
Extra tissues
Trash can
AC that's working well

amother

Mintcream

Mon, Aug 23 2021, 1:54 pm

Oh...a plunger in the bathroom. I remember once I went to the bathroom as a guest and I flushed (no tissues) and it didn’t go down. Was so thankful that there was a plunger there and DH fixed it. When we left the host said “oh I hope the bathroom didn’t give you trouble we are having issue with that bathroom”. I smiled sweetly in return lol. But imagine how embarrassing it is when you poop in someone’s toilet and you can’t get it to go down. Plungers!!

challahchallah

Mon, Aug 23 2021, 2:01 pm

zaq wrote:

Outlets is a great one. Adding a power strip / extension cord is another cheap fix that can make things much more convenient.

amother

Salmon

Mon, Aug 23 2021, 2:04 pm

challahchallah wrote:

Also to reiterate hangers. I feel like this is a touch that is often forgotten but is very cheap to remedy.

Enough hangers are so rarely provided that I save wire hangers from the cleaners and bring several with me every time I go away, then leave them there for future guests.

amother

Mint

Mon, Aug 23 2021, 2:05 pm

Paper towels
Tissues
clock
extra blankets if it gets cold
water bottles
mouthwash with cups
liquid soap

acemom

Mon, Aug 23 2021, 5:58 pm

Recently went away several times for Shabbos so here is my list:

-Digital clock somewhere in the room so guests could see the time in the dark

- full length mirror was really appreciated

- Shabbos lamp is nice

- space to put luggage/ hang up clothing

- sheitel head is nice although I always travel with a foldable one

- bal simcha provided us with a map of the area with key addresses highlighted- was really helpful

Either way, I was really appreciative of all our hosts!
I noted these things to myself for future reference, when we'll eventually be able to host.

applebutter

Mon, Aug 23 2021, 7:06 pm

I host and have everything except for a full length mirror ! I have a measly one in my room and kids don’t have one bc I never get around to buying but it’s good to know! I know when I go somewhere I hate not seeing what I look like…. I do leave toiletries in the drawers I also buy a pack of loufas from the dollar store bc most people will use once and then throw out so it doesn’t have to be fancy …