Making Guests Feel Welcome with Small Touches

[Carl11947]

Hi everyone, I’ve been thinking about how small details can really improve a guest’s experience. I’ve tried things like leaving a welcome note, providing local snacks, and ensuring the lighting feels warm and cozy. I’ve noticed guests seem to really appreciate these little touches, even if they don’t always mention them. What small touches do you include in your listings that guests love? I’d love to hear your ideas!

[Elisa]

Hi @Carl11947 😊, 

I get your point, small details can really make a difference.

What kind of snacks do you provide for your guests?

I’m tagging other hosts to see what they can share with you: @Ryan4241, @Alex14140, @Melinda438, @Shady2 and @Lamberto-and-Enrica0.

Thank you in advance, everyone!

[Ryan4241]

@Carl11947 that's great looks like you are nailing it so far.

I am interested to see what other hosts do above and beyond, and how much it pays off?

I think there is the bare minimum- coffee & tea etc as well as  a welcome note, either printed or hand written - in some of our properties we have little chalkboard and our cleaners personalize messages to the guests ( we always ask the reasons for the stay and then feed that back to the team)

In some of our more premium stays we have cookies and cereal etc

But I think you will be amazed how well good warm, friendly communication can get you. For instance knowing the guest are coming for a Gig in Manchester we send them loads of bars and restaurants close to the gig, help them plan there nights. Or if they are coming for the snow in one of our cabins in Sweden we send them pics of the lake and forest covered in snow so they can see the weather. These small gestures also go a long way to creating a great experience.

If we know it's a special holiday we will home bake some seasonal food or bread

Coming into autumn we pull out the fire pit send them photos and leave them Marshmellows and firewood 

So think also about the seasons and make it a core memories for them.

Hope that helps 

Ryan

[Lamberto-and-Enrica0]

Hi everyone, and thanks @Elisa for the tag! 😊

I completely agree with what has been shared — the smallest gestures often shape a guest’s memory more than anything grand.

Here in Tuscany, I’ve learned that guests respond most strongly not simply to what you leave, but to how the arrival feels.
So here are a few touches that consistently create warm reactions:

🍞 A tiny taste of the local countryside
Not a full hamper — just one small local surprise, chosen depending on the season:

a little sample of our local extra-virgin olive oil (guests are always curious about it),

a small piece of fresh bread from the village bakery if we catch it just out of the oven,

or a bite of farm-made cheese from the nearby fattoria.
Never all at once — just one thoughtful item that connects them to the place.

💡 Lighting for “arrival mood”
Before guests enter, I leave a soft warm light and half-open shutters to blend the natural and indoor light.
People often say the home “feels welcoming” without knowing why.

📝 Water bedside + handwritten note
Very simple, but guests often mention it as something surprisingly personal.

🌿 A subtle natural scent
After cleaning, just a gentle citrus or herbal touch — nothing artificial.
Guests often feel the home is “fresh” without being perfumed.

For snacks or treats, I keep it minimal and intentional: something local, something comforting, and something useful (like tea or water). The goal isn’t abundance — it’s thoughtfulness.

Would love to hear more ideas from hosts in other regions! These threads really show how hospitality can be both simple and meaningful. 🙌

[Elisa]

Hi @Lamberto-and-Enrica0 😊, 

Thank you so much for helping our host!

How many guests have you welcomed so far?

[Lamberto-and-Enrica0]

@Elisa Over the years, it’s been hundreds and hundreds of guests, coming from many different countries and travelling for very different reasons.

What’s always struck me is that, no matter where they come from, the things people remember most are rarely the big features. It’s usually the small gestures and the feeling of being genuinely welcomed that stay with them.

That’s probably why I still enjoy hosting after all this time — every arrival is a little different, and you keep learning from each guest.
Thanks again for the kind words! 🌻