Filed under Entertaining on September 24th, 2009:
How to Make Your Guests Feel At Home in Your Baltimore Apartment
The days leading up to friends and family coming to town to visit can be frantic. You’re cleaning every nook and cranny you can get your hands on. And while having a clean apartment seems like an essential for the comfort of guests, there are other small things you can do to make your Baltimore apartment feel like home away from home.
1. Sleeping arrangements – Choose a place where you’re guests will sleep and make it comfortable. Provide clean sheets and an assortment of blankets to choose from.
2. Keep it fresh – Have clean towels ready in your linen closet in case your guest needs extra or would prefer new ones. Also, have a basket or place for them to put their dirty or wet linens so they don’t have to figure out what to do with them.
3. Familiar foods – Keep some of their favorite snacks in the pantry or refrigerator and let them know that they can help themselves.
4. Get acquainted – When they arrive, show them around the apartment – kitchen, bathroom, living room, pantry. This way they can function in your apartment without having to ask questions all of the time.
5. Have extras – Make sure toiletries are available in the bathroom. Have toothpaste, shampoo, soap and hand lotion around in case your guests forgot to bring their own.
6. Put it away – Have a designated place for your guests’ luggage. If they are sleeping in the guest room, place it in there for them, but if they are sleeping on the pull out sofa in the living room, make space in a closet for them to keep their belongings. This way your guest has more privacy knowing that their things aren’t out in the open.
7. Reduce allergens – In addition to having a clean apartment for your guests, vacuum and dust your guest room well if you have pets. Some people are more sensitive to pet dander and hair.
8. Give them privacy – If guests are sleeping in a common area such as the living room, treat it as if it were a bedroom. Don’t keep them up late by watching TV all night. Allow them some privacy and time alone if they need it.
9. Be courteous – If you have to work or be away from your guests for a significant period of time, leave them with a list of restaurants and attractions they may want to see to keep themselves occupied.
10. Relax – No one likes to visit someone who frets the whole time when guests are visiting. Relax and enjoy spending time with them.
Things to do in Baltimore
While your guests are in town, visit some of the great attractions Baltimore has to offer. Below are just a few to get you started:
- Maryland Science Center
- Baltimore Museum of Art
- Fell’s Point
- Baltimore Ravens
- American Visionary Art Museum
- Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
- Washington DC
- Concord Point Lighthouse
- USS Constellation