This post is Sponsored by Hampton Hotels but my opinions are 100% my own!
Like most people, we have friends and family that visit us from out-of-state during the holidays. We have one extra bed here, but that’s all. If we need more room than that, they have to stay else where. Hampton Hotels invites everyone who needs a place to stay this holiday, to stay with them. There are over 1900 properties all over so chances are, there is a Hampton near you.
Of course, getting a hotel room for your guests means spending more money. Yes, however it doesn’t have to break the bank and with Hampton Hotels, it wont! The Hampton Hotels brand, including Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites and Hampton by Hilton, is an award-winning leader in the mid-priced hotel segment, serving value-conscious and quality-driven travelers. That’s me!
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And it’ll be like they are staying in your home, only you won’t have to clean. Because all Hampton hotels offer comfortable surroundings and a friendly service culture, defined as “Hamptonality,” delivered by over 50,000 Team Members and supported by the 100% Hampton Guarantee®, reinforcing its commitment to providing excellent service to both business and leisure travelers alike. This happens all year round, even at the holidays.
It’s a full service hotel and they offer FREE wi-fi, FREE Hot Breakfast and the latest technology and innovations such as mulit-unit Power Cubes. I’ve been to hotels that don’t have enough outlets to charge all my electronic so I love this feature!
Here are some tips to help you make your out-of-town guests as comfortable and to have as much fun as they can:
Tip 1: Be the best OFF-SITE host ever…
Let’s be honest. You love your friends and family, but cramming everyone into your house for days at a time can be stressful and add to your already lengthy holiday host to-do list! If you simply don’t have enough room to host all of your holiday guests or you just think everyone would be happier with their own, comfortable space, consider booking them at your local Hampton. With more than 1,900 locations, Hampton is the perfect place to stay no matter where your guests may be traveling from.
Tip 2: Surprise your guests with welcome treats
I always like to make sure my guests know how excited we are to have them for a visit by surprising them with a little treat when they arrive. One of my favorite ways to greet them is with something personalized with their name on it, like a decorated sugar cookie or a festive welcome sign. I love staying at Hampton Hotels because they take a similar approach. They often add a personal touch for a guest’s stay by offering a favorite local snack or fun local item when guests check in.
Tip 3: Be prepared with lots of snacks
We all get a little grouchy when we’re hungry – adults and kids alike! Anticipate those moments by having snacks planned for afternoons and before dinner to keep everyone happy. Be sure to include fresh options like fruit and crunchy veggies, along with filling cheeses and more decadent treats so you have something for everyone!
Tip 4: Post the plan
I post a schedule for everyone to see so they’ll know what to expect during their stay. Don’t overbook your guests, schedule plenty of free time for them to do their own exploring or relaxing. Channel your local Hampton front desk concierge and be your guest’s hometown concierge by providing them with a list of activities to do in the area.
Tip 5: Make time for exercise and fresh air
We all feel better with some fresh air in our lungs. I’d be lost without my daily exercise to clear my head and invigorate my spirit. Invite your guests on a walk with hot coffee (or hot cocoa!) and everyone will feel refreshed! Suggest an evening stroll through your local neighborhood to check out the holiday decorations. Guests at Hampton can also get energized and make time for a workout as most locations boast fitness centers and swimming pools.
Tip 6: Make time for resting
The holidays can be very exhausting – especially for your guests who have traveled near and far. Make sure to schedule down time for resting in the afternoons or early evenings. An afternoon nap can feel like an indulgent treat for exhausted guests.
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Tip 7: Plan a daily ritual
I like our guests to feel like they’re on vacation, so after our big breakfast, I let them explore during the day, then invite everyone to meet up for an “at home happy hour.” I play holiday music, have a game for the kids, and the adults can enjoy some nice wine and cheese while everyone swaps stories from the day.
Tip 8: Plan one special night for the adults
The holidays are really all about the kids, but it can be really nice for the adults to get some time for themselves, too. Hire a babysitter for the night for the children (or let the grandparents take over), so the parents can enjoy a special night out on the town. Everyone (even the kids!) will appreciate a night of
freedom.
Tip 9: Big breakfasts
Serving a big breakfast in the morning seems to make everyone happy! When we host guests, I prepare big bowls of fresh fruit for nibbling on in the morning, and then make some fresh waffles because really, who doesn’t love waffles?!? Hampton offers a free, hot breakfast every morning with fresh-baked waffles – the perfect thing to get your day started!
Tip 10: Stock up on extras
Don’t forget to stock up on extra necessities like shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, contact solution, and other toiletries that guests tend to forget! Take a cue from your local Hampton and anticipate everything that your guests may need and put a basket chock full of products right in their bathroom or bedroom.
Tip 11: Make your home “help yourself” friendly
Guests oftentimes feel like they are “in the way,” so make sure that your home is “guest-friendly” before they arrive. Set up a refreshment center that is available to them daily – coffee in the mornings, bottles of water to take for the day, portable snacks to have at home or on the road, etc. Make a list of local area “hot spots” with their phone numbers and websites that they can easily reference and tack it on the refrigerator. Make a few sets of spare keys, so that people can easily come and go as they please. Basically, be their “at home” concierge.
Tip 12: Plan fun games
The best memories over the holidays are when everyone is relaxing, laughing and having a great time. You can help orchestrate these moments by planning fun games in which everyone can participate. You can host an Ugly Sweater Contest, A Christmas Carol Sing-Off, or Gingerbread House Competition during one of your “at home happy hours.”
Tip 13: Celebrate past holidays
Another sure way to have everyone in stitches is to get out old home videos and pictures. Everyone will love reminiscing about past holidays… the bad clothes and questionable hair styles always make for great holiday conversation and laughs. Perhaps dig up some old holiday photos of your guests and use that as their “personal touch” when they arrive at your home for their stay.
Tip 14: Make your guests do some work
Make your guests feel useful by asking them to help with tasks you know they’ll enjoy. Give your mother-in-law the ultimate compliment by asking her to help you make her famous chocolate pie for dessert. If you’re hosting young nieces, ask them to help make the table decorations because they’re such great crafters. It’s a great compliment to your guests to make them feel like they are PART of the activities, rather than just watching.
Tip 15: Prepare!
Do as much preparation in advance as you can. Plan menus around recipes that can be made ahead of time – freezer-friendly, one-dish meals like lasagna, or a hearty-braised beef stew are great options when serving a crowd. Run a supermarket sweep a few days before for toiletries. Do your own laundry before guests arrive, so that the washer and dryer can be available for them, if necessary. The ultimate holiday hosts know that being prepared is the absolute best way to make your guests feel welcome in your home because you can actually enjoy them while they are there!
Be sure to connect with Hampton Hotels on the following social media channels:
Hampton Hotels is all about celebrating the little moments that make a big difference through what the brand refers to as Hamptonality.
(1) Koupon Karen reader will win nights stay at a Hampton Hotel!
To enter the giveaway just leave a comment on this post about why you’d like to win a night away. Would you go someplace for a weekend or would you get a sitter and stay at your local Hampton, just for a night away with your spouse? Or would you give it to a family member to come visit you?
Disclaimer: Compensation was provided by Hampton Hotel via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Hampton or Momtrends.
I don’t want I NEED a day, a weekend getaway! Life has been very stressful lately and a diagnosed of Fibromyalgia has been the cherry on top… I would love to take my husband and escape away for a little time for us.
Need a night away because my boyfriend has been working so hard at work and studying for an exam, he needs a break.
We have our 15th wedding anniversary coming up and it would be great to get away. Thanks!
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
I would go away for the weekend.
I could use a weekend away, but a night away be good, too. I have been so stressed that it would just be nice to get away.
I’d love it for myself and my hubby. It would be wonderful to take a trip a little further out of the area and have a nice warm bed to sleep in.
I would like to give this to my parents to use when they travel.
I would love to win a night away because we have lots of day trip ideas but most are four hours or so away so too far for our children to drive there and back in one day.
I would like to go on vacation with my husband for Valentine’s Day
elena150980 at yahoo dot com
I would love a night away with my hubby! Life has been so stressful and crazy lately an our third baby will arrive soon. It would be wonderful to step away for a night and relax
I could use a free night as a single dad for time to bond with my daughters
I would love to win this and use it on vacation this summer to the Smoky Mountains.
I’d like a night away from everyday!
we need a night away for fun and bonding.
I would love a night away with my husband. We have a 2 and a 5 year old and a little time alone would be wonderful!
We’ve never actually been on any sort of family vacation, so a night away would be a lot of fun 🙂
I would love to win this to get away for the weekend with my husband! I’m not too sure where we will go yet; I will have to think about that!!
I would take the night away with just my husband. We need a date night!!
I would love to use this on one of our hockey road trips. I have heard great things.
i would give it to my son in law he works over a hour away and when we get nasty weather he woud not have to drive home
Our kids and grandkids live out of state so this would be used to visit them.
I would probably take my husband for a weekend away, but if we can’t find a time we can both go, my son and I would love to spend a weekend at the beach together!
I need a night away because I just started a new job and moved in the same weekend and I am exhausted.
I would love to win a night out with my husband and leave the kids with my parents!!
My husband and I have been married 23 yrs…..and we have never once went for a weekend alone. If I won,id use it for some time with my husband
Just had twins, would love a night away to sleep
Nannypanpan@gmail.com
We need at least a night away from the kids and sickness!
I would love to win a night’s stay because my husband and I have not had a night alone since we had our son three years ago. This would be such a nice treat!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
I would love to take my boys to visit my brother.
My husband and I really need a weekend to ourselves! A night at a hotel would be perfect.
Although I love taking my kids away to hotels and using the indoor pool etc I think if I won I’d surprise my husband with a night away. We’d have the kids stay with their aunt and uncle and go away alone! We don’t spend enough time alone and I do think it’s important, we just don’t have the extra money to keep paying sitters and spend money going out too. We got a dinner gift certificate recently so this would be a perfect night out. Dinner and a night away. We never celebrated our 10 yr anniversary in oct so this really would be great!!!!
I would like to use it toward a weekend gether with my hubby
I would like to go away for a weekend with the kids. Yes, I said WITH the kids. They are teenagers now and I’m getting ready to send the first one to college and regret not taking more vacations because I know once she leaves it will be very hard to get everyone together for a family vacation.
I would love to stay one night to get away from my children. A friend of mine and I are planning on staying in a hotel in a few weeks for one night, just her and I, in hopes to get some actual sleep. Then our husbands can deal with the children waking up many time at night!
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
Our son loves staying at hotels and swimming. I would love to win this so our family could go away for the weekend. We like to go to either Chicago or Indy and take advantage of the museums, zoos, etc that those cities have to offer.
This would be perfect for a quick weekend getaway in the hill country here in Texas. Beautiful drive from where we live, but we rarely go because it’s too far for a one day trip. There is some shopping and wine I need to check out down there!
I would go for a weekend getaway, I have two crazy little boys, that I would love a weekend of rest from them! 🙂
I’d love to win a night away so I can have some time to decompress and relax! I need some time just for myself!!
My husband and I are going back to visit family next year, and this would be perfect to use then!!
I’d like to win because I’d like to plan a weekend with my wife to celebrate our 1-year wedding anniversary.
I’d like to win to celebrate the 1-year wedding anniversary with my wife.
Sorry if double-posted…
i would go to Baltimore with my family
I’d LOVE a night away! My hubs and I work so hard and never take time to enjoy each other alone! We wouldn’t have to go far to get away from home!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I would love to go out for a night with just my husband. I would definitely get a sitter, and celebrate for the night! =)
My mom and I have been talking about taking my kids to visit Lancaster PA, so I think this is what I would do.
I would like to win to save money
i really need a break from school
This would be awesome to use for a night in New Orleans the next time I drive from MO to FL!
this is an easy answer, I haven’t been away in years
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
just for a night away with my spouse
honestly I would love a weekend or even a night away ! I would indulge in a nice meal out, a nap, a bubble bath and some tv viewing (no cable here at the house)
I’d love to use this to take a weekend getaway with my husband.
I would like to win a night away so I can go up to Maine for a weekend and spend some quality ocean time!
I’d love to win a night away so we could plan our next mini road trip
I would love to use this towards our upcoming trip to colorado!
I would love to spend a night at Hampton Hotel over a weekend to get away.
I would want to use it for my boyfriend and I’s 4 year anniversary. We have always wanted to take a trip up to Chicago and this would allow us to do so. There are so many fun things we could do there. Thank you Koupon Karen and Hampton!!
elizzzzzabeth at yahoo dot com
I’d use it to spend a weekend away with my husband!
I would use the free night as a get away date night 🙂
I would give it to anyone of my family that would come for a visit. They are all in Illinois and Indiana and we are here in Southern Texas. Would be great to see them.
I would use it for a weekend get-a-way with my husband to reignite our flame.
I could really use at least a day away.
A weekend away would be great.