Seven Rules for When Your Friends Come to Stay

Tonight we're welcoming another guest to our lovely London flat. This friend is around our tenth person to come stay since we arrived in the UK, and after hosting ten people, and spending a year traveling and enjoying the experience of being a house guest, I'd like to think we know a thing or two about having people to stay. Here are seven useful tips which we reckon have been helpful when it comes to having friends or family stay at our place. Maybe you'll find them helpful the next time you have visitors to yours!

Give good instructions.

If this is the first time someone is visiting your place, especially if you're in a city or country they're not familiar with, make sure you include as much information about how to get to you as possible. We've been known to send photos or video clips to people in the leadup to their arrival, but a precise address or postcode is usually a good start. If there is an app that your friends might find useful, like citymapper in London, let them know about it in advance, so they have a chance to download it and give it a whirl.

Be straight up about anything weird or wonderful.

This is one of those times where 'honesty is the best policy'. In our place, the shower makes some weird noises, and the bathroom light often takes three pulls before it turns on. No biggie! Make everyone comfortable with the nuances of your place, and avoid those awkward "it might just be me but..." conversations. If you're planning on hosting guests a lot, check out some of the cool things we've seen pro-level Airbnb hosts do to help out with this.

Be organised with the important stuff.

Consider what your guests might need in those first few hours at your place. Have your wifi password at hand, ensure the spare key's somewhere accessible in case they want to get out and about, and where possible, have their bed made up, so it's ready if a nap is required.

Always have tea, coffee, and some biscuits on hand.

Travel, especially long-distance travel, can be arduous work. Who knew sitting in a plane, train, or automobile could be so exhausting? Reward your guests with a cup of tea, coffee, or an ice-cold glass of water and something sweet if they need a pick-me-up when they arrive.

Let your guests know if you have some specific plans.

If you have to be out the door by a certain time for work, let your guests know. That way, when you need the bathroom beforehand, you won't need to bang the door down in the heat of the moment. If you need to make it to your weekly gym class after work, let them know your plans then too. People are usually flexible and happy to work around arrangements—especially since you've been kind enough to accommodate them in the first place!

Then, ensure you include your guests in plans where you can. Invite them to that gym class you have your heart set on, or take them to your favourite local wine bar or cafe. If you want to stay closer to home, why not book in a TV or movie date on the couch together. Catch up while you both do something you enjoy.

Keep your stuff in precise places.

Help your guests help you by putting your spare toilet roll, cleaning products, extra pillows, blankets, coffee, or whatever else they might need in a prominent or obvious place that they can easily find, especially if you're not around. Or, do a daily sweep of those items that get used all the time, and top them up yourself!

Ask questions.

Ensure your guest is comfortable by asking what they like, what they don't (or can't) like, and how you can make their stay comfortable. If you're planning to whip up a delicious meal, you're going to want to know if your guest is sticking to a specific diet, or if they're allergic to something. No-one wants to harm their house guest or punctuate someone's visit with an emergency trip to the emergency room.

So, there are our most important rules & recommendations when having family and friends over to stay. Look after them well, and they might have you over for the next visit!

Happy hosting!