The Ultimate Guest Room Checklist:

How to Create a 5-Star Experience for Your Guests

When getting ready for overnight guests, it’s all about the little things, right? I mean, there’s a ton of stuff to remember! Even after hosting overnight guests dozens of times, it’s still a challenge to remember every little detail every time. That’s why I swear by my trusty guest room checklist—I tick off each item to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Putting together a welcoming guest room might take a little elbow grease, but let me tell you, it’s totally worth it! A bit of prep work goes a loooong way in ensuring your guests have the best time ever and takes the stress off you, the host.

So, without further ado, here’s my ultimate checklist for hosting overnight guests. Don’t worry about copying anything down. I’ve got you covered with a free PDF at the end of this post—print it out as many times as you want and welcome guests like a pro for years to come!

 

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Guest Room Prep: Cleaning Checklist

The most important step in creating the perfect guest room is to start with a clean slate. This step is absolutely non-negotiable because it will set the tone for your guests’ stay. Decluttering will make the room feel instantly brighter and roomier, even in a small space.

Here is a cleaning checklist to ensure every last nook and cranny is spotless:

General Cleaning:

• Remove and discard any trash or personal belongings your last guest may have left behind.
• Dust all surfaces, including furniture, shelves, and decor.
• Vacuum or sweep the floors, including under the bed and furniture.
• Mop any hard flooring.
• Wipe down light switches, doorknobs, and other high-touch surfaces with disinfectant.
• Clean windows and mirrors.
• Empty trash cans and replace liners.

 

Bedding and Linens:

• Strip the bed of all bedding, including: sheets, pillowcases, duvet, and duvet covers.
• Wash and replace all bedding with fresh linens.
  • Tip: Keep multiple sets of clean bedding for the guest room that you can change bed sheets right away without waiting for the bedding to finish in the laundry.
• Check for any stains or damages on bedding and linens and address as needed.
• Fluff pillows and cushions.
• Steam duvet cover and curtains, if needed.

 

Guest Bathroom Cleaning:

• Clean and disinfect all surfaces in the bathroom, including the sink, countertop, toilet, and shower/bathtub.
• Wash towels and washcloths
• Refill toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap) as needed.
• Empty and clean the trash can in the bathroom.
• Check for any leaks or plumbing issues and address as needed.
• Polish any mirrors and fixtures in the bathroom.
• Sweep and mop the floors.
• Wash any rugs or bathmats.

 

Organization and Amenities:

• Organize bathroom medicine cabinet and drawers – throw out anything that is old, used, or expired. These are my favorite drawer organizers.
• Check that all electronics and appliances (such as the TV, alarm clock, and charging stations) are in working order and clean.
• Replace any lightbulbs that are burned out

Guest Room Essentials Checklist

These are the must-have guest bedroom essentials that will make your overnight guest feel right at home. Feel free to tailor this list to fit the needs of your guest in any way that works for you.

Welcome Amenities

These are the essentials you should provide within about an hour of your guests’ arrival. These are likely the first things they will reach for/ask for, so have these items available and in plain sight immediately upon entering.

• Snacks and water on arrival
• Welcome note
• Wi-fi password
• Local activities information
• Welcome basket of essentials (You can find everything you need for your guest room welcome basket here).

 

Bedding and Comfort

Never underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep. It’s is critical that your guest space has an ultra cozy bed with a comfortable mattress, soft linens, and plenty of pillows.

• Bedside table
• Nightlight
• Clean room
• Extra blankets and bed linen
• Extra pillows
• Coasters
• Notepad and pen
• Reading lamp/book
• Room fragrance/scented candle (skip this if your guests have sensitivities!)
• Ceiling or box fan
• Space heater
• Room Darkening/blackout curtains

 

Organization and Convenience

• Trash can
• Cell phone chargers (iPhone and android)
• Universal adapter (I have this one and love it for traveling too!)
• Luggage rack
• Alarm clock
• Closet space with empty hangers and/or empty drawer space
• Room darkening shades/blackout curtains
• Power strip/surge protector
• Iron or steamer
• Ironing board – this one is perfect for storing in the closet
• Full-length mirror
• Ceiling fan or portable fan
• Space heater
• Umbrella/rain gear
• Laundry bag
• Mini fridge/minibar
• Safe/lockbox
• Welcome guidebook/map
• Side table lamp

 

 

Bathroom Essentials

Making sure the bathroom is stocked and ready to go is just as important as the guest bedroom itself. Here’s everything your need:

 

Toiletries

• Hand soap
• Body wash
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Face wash
• Lotion/moisturizer

 

Personal Care & Hygiene

• Makeup remover wipes
• Shower cap
• Feminine hygiene products
• Box of tissues
• Cotton balls

 

Essentials

• Poo-Pourri (trust me on this one)
• Blow dryer
• Extra toilet paper

 

Linens

• Bath towels
• Hand towels
• Washcloths

 

Comfort & Convenience

• Wall hooks or door hooks for hanging towels
• First aid kit
• Bathrobe
• Slippers

 

Special Requests

Every guest is different and will require slightly unique accommodations. Here are some special add-ons to consider for unique situations.

• Guests with Allergies: air purifier, humidifier, anti-allergen sheets

 

• Guests with Children: Baby crib or toddler bed, changing station, small toys or coloring pages, safety plug covers for outlets, protective corner guards for furniture, white noise machine.

 

• Pet amenities: Relief area, poop bags, space for a crate.

 

• Special celebrations: Fresh flowers, balloons, a bottle of wine, or a small gift are perfect for setting a festive mood for guests celebrating a special occasion.

 

• Accessibility: If you have guests with mobility issues or special needs, make sure the guest room and bathroom are accessible and equipped with necessary amenities such as grab bars, shower chairs, or ramps.

 

• Entertainment: Provide entertainment options such as books, magazines, board games, or access to streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.

 

• Privacy: Ensure your guests have privacy during their stay. Provide them with a spare key or access code if they need to come and go independently. Make sure any windows have appropriate coverings (like blinds, curtains, or shades).

 

• Guests working from home: A desk area (space permitting) with comfortable desk chair, extra pens, extra notepad, additional power strip.

Click here for your Free Guest Bedroom Checklist PDF.  Have an idea for a must-have that you don’t see on this list? Drop it below in the comments!

xo, tjp