One of the most frequently made comments in my bed and breakfast guest book was that guests loved the attention to detail.

Whilst they loved all of the unexpected extras like the fridge, fresh milk, lemon drizzle cake and homemade shortbread, they would often comment that “The room had everything they could possibly need”

In this blog I’m going to cover those little things that you put in a room that a guest wouldn’t necessarily notice - until they weren’t there! These may be the tiny step that see off a negative review!

I'll be recommending some products from the UK Hospitality Supplier Out of Eden in this blog post. For more about my collaboration with Out of Eden, read this post >> Where to shop for your hospitality supplies.
The legal bit - this is a paid sponsored post. This blog thrives on the support and trust of readers like you. Collaborating with companies like Out of Eden, and only recommending products I'd actually buy or have been recommended to me by other hospitality providers whom I trust, enables me to continue providing valuable content to you for free.

👩‍💻Karen’s Tip

I always recommend that B&B owners sleep in their own rooms regularly, and especially before you have your first guests to stay.
When we set up our 3rd room, the Barn Room, it wasn’t until we spent the night in it that I realised what was missing!

Tissue Box

In the 17 years of running my bed and breakfast, I would always leave a box of tissues in each room. And in all that time, no guest ever mentioned them in their reviews. Compare that to the whole lemon drizzle which made it into most reviews!

However, once I unexpectedly ran out of tissues - my stock control process was a little haphazard - and didn't put any in the one of the rooms. And this was one of the few times I was left a note by the guest complaining about the room . Her only complaint? No tissues!

Tissue boxes aren’t always that attractive, especially the branded ones you’d buy at the supermarket. But Out of Eden supply ones in boxes without branding. Or you could always go the extra step and buy a tissue box cover.

Click here to see  Tissue Box and Covers

Coat Hangers

The VisitBritain Assessor, also known as the Hotel Inspector, wanted to see only wooden coat hangers in the wardrobe - specifically, five per person. Unfortunately, our guests frequently left behind their wire hangers and sometimes even entire outfits, which meant a wardrobe check with each changeover.

Personally, I'm not a fan of security coat hangers when I travel. To avoid ironing, I like to hang up creased clothes in a steamy bathroom to get out the wrinkles! However, they can prove very useful if you notice coat hangers frequently disappearing with your guests.

Click here to see a selection of good value wooden  Coat Hangers

Pen and Notepad

Leaving a pen and notepad in the guest bedroom is a thoughtful touch that is often appreciated by guests. They can use these to jot down messages, reminders, or feedback for the B&B. This simple addition can prevent guests from feeling the need to take to Tripadvisor to leave feedback. And, they can be useful for noting down directions to restaurants or telephone numbers.

👩‍💻Karen’s Tip

Getting personalised pens made, with your B&B contact details, and encouraging guests to take them away is a nice little marketing tactic!

Iron and Ironing Board

As someone who doesn't enjoy either ironing or  packing, I really appreciate finding an iron in a B&B guest room. Regardless of how carefully I pack — even if I've bothered to iron — my clothing always ends up wrinkled.

If you don’t have the space or budget to provide one ironing board per room, then having an easily accessible iron for guests to use is a good idea.

Click here to see Irons and Ironing Boards designed for the B&B and hotel industry

Hairdryer

I think most guests would expect to find a decent hairdryer in their B&B room these days. An extra touch would be to provide a hair straightener heat proof mat - perfect for protecting your dressing table top too.

Click here to view Hair dryers and Hair Straightener Mats

Fan

If you run your B&B in the UK, then it’s unlikely that you have air conditioning at your B&B. Providing a fan or two for heat waves or guests experiencing hot flushes - I had several guests who would use them year round, is a great idea.

Click here for Fans

Luggage Racks

Luggage racks will reduce the risk of guests putting dirty luggage on your bed sheets and bedspreads,  and are also more convenient for guests than having to put their luggage on the floor.

Click here for a variety of metal and wooden Luggage Racks

👩‍💻Karen’s Tip

I find luggage racks also come in really useful when you're organising laundry and folding towels and sheets. I still use my B&B ones today just for that purpose!

Insulated Milk Flask

There are several advantages to having a mini fridge in your B&B guest rooms, but if you don’t have the space or budget, then consider putting milk in an insulated flask in the room so it stays fresh and cold for longer. I used an equivalent product to these before we invested in room fridges and they were very popular with guests.

Click for a great Insulated Milk Flask

Water Bottle

Many guests prefer not to drink water out of the tap from the bathroom. I was always surprised at the number who would ask me if the water was safe to drink.
You could provide bottles of mineral water, or for a cheaper more environmentally friendly option use a refillable glass water bottle or two.

Click here for a stylish Reusable Water Bottle

Motion Sensor Safety Light

If you have black out curtains or live in the middle of the countryside, it can get very dark in a B&B room. We have motion sensor safety lights at home to prevent us tripping over a dog or two if we have to get up in the night.
These are particularly useful for guests who don’t know the layout of the room and double as an emergency torch if the power goes out.

Click here for a Motion Sensor Safety Light  with detachable torch

Facecloths

Providing a facecloth, aka flannel, is always a nice touch and one that I really miss when there isn’t one when we go away.
You could also consider black makeup flannels to reduce the risk of your nice white towels and pillowcases getting covered in difficult to shift makeup

Make Up Remover Face Cloths and Flannels

👩‍💻Karen’s Tip

If you find towels or flannels do get stained, then soaking them in Napisan is a great way of restoring them back to looking pristine!

In conclusion, it's often the small details that make a big difference to a guest's experience. From tissue boxes and coat hangers to pens and notepads, these seemingly minor items can significantly contribute to a guest's comfort.

Remember, it's about anticipating your guests' needs and making their stay as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible. By sleeping in your own rooms, you can better understand what might be missing and what could enhance their stay.

As they say, the devil is in the detail, and in the hospitality industry, it's these details that can truly set you apart from the competition.