Having guests over is equal parts lovely and stressful. Of course, we enjoy the company, but it also has a habit of bringing out our inner perfectionist.
Suddenly, it’s not just about a clean room – it’s about whether everything feels polished, considered, and, if we’re honest, just a little bit fancy. We want guests to feel at home, yes, but we also wouldn’t mind them wondering if they’ve accidentally checked into a boutique hotel. The good news? That luxury feel isn’t about a full renovation or a huge budget. It’s the small, thoughtful details that make the difference.
So, I’ve pulled together a list of simple, hotel-inspired tricks—the kind used by professionals—don’t ya know—that are quick and easy to recreate at home. The result? A guest bedroom that feels effortlessly elevated, and might just earn you five-star reviews.
Hospital corners
This is a trick I picked up from my extensive viewing of the excellent reality show Below Deck. Watching the chief stews bang on about the importance of “hospital corners” for the beds on their multimillion-pound yachts naturally piqued my curiosity.
The aim is to create crisp 45-degree folds at the corners of the mattress, keeping flat sheets tightly secured and looking smugly professional. (Not essential for fitted sheets, but very satisfying if you’re using a flat one.)
Start by pulling the sheet taut and tucking the end firmly under the mattress. Then, on one side, lift the hanging section of sheet (about 30–40 cm from the corner) up onto the bed to form a neat diagonal. Tuck the loose fabric underneath the mattress, then fold the angled flap down and secure it tightly for a sharp edge. Repeat on each corner.
While traditionally used for flat sheets, you can take this one step further by applying a similar folding technique to the top layer of your duvet or even a throw at the end of the bed. Tucking and smoothing the sides slightly underneath for that tightly styled, hotel-finished look. If it’s good enough for billionaire yacht guests, it’s more than good enough for yours.
Ironing
Nothing says “I’ve made an effort” quite like ironing. Specifically, ironing bedding. When done strategically, it takes minutes and makes a noticeable difference. The trick is only to focus on what guests actually see.
Use a steam iron on a medium–high (cotton) setting (around 180–200°C). Start with pillowcases, lightly dampened for a crisp finish. Then iron just the top third of the duvet cover or flat sheet—the section that folds back over the bed.
Creased curtains? A quick steam, particularly along the lower half, will instantly smarten them up. Always check care labels, and keep heat lower for synthetics (or use a steamer instead). The result is that crisp, polished finish hotels are known for – without spending your entire afternoon at the ironing board.
Secret scent hacks
For me, luxury is all in the smell. Nothing says five-star hotel quite like a subtle, clean scent—equally nothing screams budget getaway quite like that faintly stale, ‘spare bedroom’ smell. Hotels are meticulous about this and a few simple tricks make all the difference.
Start with the basics: bicarbonate of soda is brilliant at neutralizing odors. Sprinkle it over carpets or rugs, leave for 30 minutes to an hour (or overnight if you can), then vacuum it up. For an extra touch, mix in a few drops of your favorite essential oil beforehand.
Next, focus on fabrics. Lightly mist bedding, pillows, curtains, and even carpets with a linen spray. Applying scent directly to textiles helps it linger longer – and many sprays are heat-activated, meaning they work even better when worked into the ironing process.
Finally, a diffuser is your best low-effort upgrade. Whether reed or electric, it keeps a consistent, subtle fragrance ticking along in the background. Get this right, and your guests won’t quite be able to put their finger on why the room feels so good—it just will.
Toiletries
If you really want to elevate your guest room, start thinking like a guest. What would you wish you hadn’t forgotten? Hotels nail this because they assume—correctly—that someone will always leave something behind.
Stock your guest bathroom with the essentials: spare toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, shower gel, soap, sanitary products, and even a disposable razor. A hairbrush or a few hair ties won’t go amiss either.
For extra points, gather everything into a small basket or tray so it feels intentional rather than thrown together. It’s a small touch, but one that makes guests feel genuinely looked after—and far more at home.
Easy towel folds
Super quick, super easy, yet folding your towels with a little more finesse is such an impactful trick to give that spa-like look in seconds.
Lay the towel flat, fold it lengthways into thirds, then tightly roll it from one end to the other to create a neat cylinder. Place it on the bed or stack a couple in a basket for that hotel-meets-spa feel. It’s easy, space-saving, and instantly makes the room feel more considered without any complicated folding.
Toilet paper roll
Attention to detail is the key to impressing your guests and making them feel special; this extends to all areas – even the loo. I remember doing this before a friend came to stay and they couldn’t get over how funny, yet fancy it was.
First things first, make sure you’ve popped a fresh roll out. Nothing says “someone else was just here” more than a half-used roll (save that one for yourself). Make sure the roll is hanging over the front and not tucked underneath, then pull down a fresh length—about two to three sheets. Take the top right corner and fold it diagonally down toward the centre. Take the top left corner and fold it over to meet the other side, creating a pointed triangle. Smooth it down so it holds its shape. Lightly wet your tap and dab the point directly onto the spout so it sticks to the rest of the roll, creating a proper seal of approval.
Water
The less your guests have to ask you for, the better. A touch I most like to do, that almost always gets commented on, is leaving a water carafe and glasses by the bedside table for my guests. It really couldn’t be an easier task, but the impact is immediate. It is both practical and caring.
Chargers
Even hotels don’t always do this one, but I think it’s so easily done, yet easily forgotten. And works as such a thoughtful, efficient, and clever addition. Pop a phone charger or two into the nearest socket by the bed for your guests. That way, if they’ve forgotten theirs, they’ll be so grateful – but also if they hadn’t, they won’t have to go rearranging your furniture hunting for a socket.
A proper place for luggage
Nothing makes a guest feel more like they’re in the way than having to dump their suitcase on the floor—or worse, awkwardly balance it on the bed every time they need something. Hotels avoid this by always giving luggage its own designated spot, and it’s surprisingly easy to recreate at home.
If you have space, a simple luggage rack is ideal (they fold away when not in use and instantly give that ‘hotel room’ feel). No rack? No problem. A bench at the end of the bed, a spare chair, or even a clear section of floor works just as well—the key is that it looks intentional.
If you’re using a chair or surface, make sure it’s completely clutter-free so guests don’t feel like they’re displacing your things. It’s a small detail, but it makes unpacking (and repacking) far easier—and quietly signals that you’ve thought about how your guests will actually use the space, not just how it looks.
As the Household Advice Writer, Ella covers all things home – from clever cleaning tips to the organisation tricks that really do make life easier. Before joining Good Housekeeping, she was a full-time freelance writer and production journalist at The Independent’s IndyBest reviews section, where she covered reviews, roundups, and product-related news articles, focusing on areas such as homeware and lifestyle products. With a keen eye for what actually works, she’s passionate about sharing practical, well-tested advice you can rely on. You can reach her at her email address: [email protected]
