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.
You can connect with Hampton Hotels on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and YouTube.
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.
119 comments
Thanks you for a great contest!
We would redeem it at the Hampton in Hilton Head.
in columbia, md!
Hubby and I could use a night without the kids and grand parents live in Branson MO. We would do the one at the Landing!
Coralville, Iowa
I’d redeem mine in Lincoln, NE or WPB, FL. 🙂
Hampton Inn Dallas/Lewisville – have stayed there before and love it!
In Savannah GA.
Traverse City Michigan.
I’d use mine in Kansas City.
I would stay at the Cape Cod Yarmouth location.
I would use it in Baltimore
In Tilton, New Hampshire or one of the other New Hampshire locations. We are relocating and looking for a house in New Hampshire.
I think I would like to go to Lancaster PA
New york city
I think I’d use it in New Orleans!
I’d go to the one in Hermosa Beach!
I would use it in PA!
I would love to stay in denver, co
In Aspen or Vail to see the snow and being warm at the same time.
I have been wanting to explore downtown Chicago for a while now, so I would want to stay there. Thank you Cookies and Clogs and Hampton! I would have so much fun
I would use it in San Francisco
Columbus Ohio
I would stay in Ontario, CA when I go to visit my relatives
[…] CLICK TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY! –> […]
I’d LOVE to use it in Galveston, TX…but I would probably use it near family in Missouri.
I would use it in San Francisco. I live in that area but would love to have an overnight staycation!
Milwaukee,WI is where I’d redeem it.
I would redeem it in San Francisco, CA.
In Palmdale, CA when I visit family next year. 🙂
In Minneapolis.
in daytona beach florida
Hilton Head SC, when I visit family.
I would redeem it somewhere in NH. Would make a great girl’s getaway.
Somewhere in North Carolina when we go on vacation.
i would use my free night in south carolina.
seattle –for sure
probably morgan hill, CA — need to visit a old friend . . .
I would like to stay at the Hampton Inn Manhattan-Times Square North
New york city
I’d go for the Hampton Inn Boston/Cambridge — thanks for the chance!
Biloxi, Mississippi is where I would redeem it!
Louisville, KY
i would like to redeem my room in wisconsin.
grand rapids michigan
I would use it in Asheville NC to visit Biltmore Estate.
I am not sure where I would redeem this voucher at! I would love to go on a vacation, but realistically the finances aren’t there. Maybe my husband and I could get a baby sitter for the night and stay at a local (Detroit, MI) Hampton and enjoy some adult time!
I would go to the nearest one just to get a night out…but if I could I would go to the beach
Williamsburg VA
In the Orlando, FL area
The Hampton Inn at Myrtle Beach
Atlanta, GA
pittsburgh, pa
kport207 at gmail dot com
I would redeem a free night in Front Royal, VA when I go to visit my sister and my newborn niece.
In Sacramento California, my cousin works there.
I’d want to redeem my night in San Francisco!
I would stay in Dallas, Texas.
I would love to stay at the Hampton Inn in Pigeon Forge TN!
I would use mine in Florida.
I would redeem it at their Fayetteville TN location.
I would use it in either Tyler or Dallas, TX.
san francisco for me. love it there.
I would use it in Orlando Fla.
I would stay at the Hampton in Chicago, Illinois for this upcoming 2014 Valentines day holiday with my girlfriend. Please pick me it is only four day from my birthday so it would also make an unforgettable birthday memory.
I’d use it in San Francisco
In Omaha to visit my family.
We’d go to Columbus!
I would use my free night at the Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks/Corolla.
We stay at the closest one to Disney in Orlando.
Myrtle Beach, SC
I’d use it while in FL this year!
I would use it somewhere on my road trip from VA to MI! 🙂
1400 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas, 66111
I’d probably take an overnight trip to Ann Arbor.
Close to the Smoky Mountains, maybe Gatlinburg.
Fond memories…my late husband & I would escape from the family for one nite every other month or so. Always ended up at the Hampton Inn on Hwy 100 in Milwaukee, WI. Loved the pool and jacuzzi!
i would use it in Philly
I would use it in Washington DC
I would use it while we went to visit family.
If I would be the chosen lucky winner I would redeem it for a weekend stay at the Hampton in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Ohio
Virginia Beach!!
i would love to go to new york city
In Honolulu
I’d redeem it in my home town!
I would use it somewhere in California on a break from work.
I would use it for Valentines Day.
I’d see if there is a property on Long Island so that I could visit a friend.
In Ohio!
I need a day someplace warm!
I would spend the night in Minneapolis
I would use it for Branson (only 2 hours away). Thank you
Traverse City, MI
i would use it in indiana
Mrtinsburg WV
somewhere in OHIO
In Daytona Beach florida
Maybe somewhere in Maine….I’ve always wanted to take a road trip up that way 🙂
I would either use it in the fantasy land that is Boise Idaho or I would take a break for a night from my life and stay in the Hampton Inn down the street.
Probably Annapolis MD, we go there quite a bit.
I would redeem my free night in North Carolina, near Biltmore.
in Il or in WI
In Virginia beach!
I’d stay in Orlando, fl
I would stay at the Hampton Inn St. Louis/Sunset Hills location!
I would use it in Pittsburgh Pa!
Cherokee NC
Oh my gosh anywhere I need a vacation
I’d use it in Des Moines so I can go see my bestie for my birthday!
Boston, MA…my home away from home!
I would go to San Luis Obispo, CA.
We have a handful of friends we are hoping to visit this Summer, and our friends live in Missouri, Minnesota, and North Carolina. We would either use it while visiting them there are travelling to visit them. (as a halfway/resting spot for the night)
Probably in SD.
I’d probably redeem it at Myrtle Beach, SC.
I would choose the Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville-Green Hills!
I would redeem my free night at the Birch Run/Frankenmuth location in Michigan.
longbarb11@aol.com
I’d like to stay at Hampton Inn & Suites Los Angeles/Anaheim-Garden Grove
If I were lucky enough to win, I would redeem it in North Conway, New Hampshire so I could go on a tax free shopping spree. Thanks for the super giveaway opportunity. Keep up the terrific blogging.
I would use it at Hampton Inn Los Angeles/Arcadia/Pasadena.
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