14 Tips to Be The Perfect Host w/ Hampton #HamptonHoliday
We’re entering the most stressful time of the year. Kids will be bouncing off the walls with 2-3 weeks off school, flights and roads will be packed with stressed out…
We’re entering the most stressful time of the year. Kids will be bouncing off the walls with 2-3 weeks off school, flights and roads will be packed with stressed out travelers, and homes will be bustling with family and friends constantly shuffling in and out. To top it off, some are even having a multitude of out-of-town guests staying with them and trying to figure out where to put everyone. Are you among them? How in the world will you retain your sanity let alone manage to be a gracious host? Hampton Hotels is coming to your rescue!
By bringing their ‘Hamptonality’ home, you can ensure that everyone, including you, has a wonderful time together.
Hampton Hotel’s Hamptonality
Hamptonality is Hampton-style hospitality. The five tenets of ‘Hamptonality’ are:
- Unexpected delight
- Being anticipatory
- Sharing a compliment
- Providing a moment of humor
- Showing empathy
Helpful Tips from Hampton and Jenny Steffens
You can imagine how these will lighten a mood and make any stay run smoother. Hampton has partnered with entertaining expert, Jenny Steffens Hobick, to share some useful tips in making these tenets work for you:
- Be the best OFF-SITE host ever . . .
It may be less stressful and more comfortable to book your guests at the closest Hampton. There are 1,900 locations to choose from.
- Surprise your guests with welcome treats
Jenny likes to greet her guests with something personalized with their name on it, like a decorated sugar cookie or a decorated welcome sign. Hampton does something similar by adding a personal touch for a guest’s stay by offering a favorite local snack or fun local item when guests check in.
- Be prepared with lots of snacks
No one’s happy when they’re hungry. Have afternoon and pre-dinner snacks available, including fresh options.
- Post the plan
Make a schedule so everyone knows what to expect but include a lot of free time for guests, maybe even providing them with a list of nearby activities to try.
- Make time for exercise and fresh air
Get that blood pumping and get reinvigorated. Most Hampton locations include complimentary fitness centers and swimming pools for guests.
- Make time for resting
Guests will definitely appreciate some scheduled down time in the afternoons or early evenings. Naps are a traveler’s best friend.
- Plan a daily ritual
After breakfast, you can let everyone go out and explore. Meet up later for music, games for the kids, and wine and cheese for the adults while sharing the day’s experiences.
- Plan one special night for the adults
Hire a babysitter for the night so the parents can let their hair down.
- Big breakfasts
Start the day right with a big breakfast. Hampton offers a free, hot breakfast every morning with fresh-baked waffles – yum!
- Stock up on extras
Get extra toiletries just in case someone forgets theirs.
- Make your home “help yourself” friendly
Instead of them feel like they’re in the way, set up an area for guests to easily get coffee, water bottles, portable snacks, etc. with a quick list of local places to check out. Jenny even mentions making a few extra sets of keys for them to come and go as they please.
- Plan fun games
Games everyone can participate in can help make new memories of ‘relaxing, laughing, and having a great time’.
- Make your guests do some work
Let guests help with tasks they’ll enjoy (i.e. decorating, cooking, etc.). It’s better to be a part of the fun than just a spectator.
- Prepare!
Do what you can before they come. Plan menus for freezer-friendly, one-dish mealsl Do your laundry so the washer and dryer are free for your guests.
Start the Fun, Avoid the Stress
Let’s face it, very few can navigate all this without a few extra gray hairs but at least Hampton can help lessen them as you make new happy memories with your loved ones.
Enter below to win a Hampton Hotels “Be My Guest” Card which is good for one (1) FREE night stay at a U.S. Hampton location.
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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.
