Please add recent examples of hosts who go beyond basics. It would be cool to see ongoing positivity to balance all of the complaints and sits gone wrong.
I’ll kick off with hosts of a sit I just wrapped. Some of what they did:
• Saw in my profile that I include a friendly heads-up about key things that THS doesn’t allow. So before we even decided to go forward with a video chat, the host asked me if I was OK with a dog that does X. That way, I could make an informed choice. It wasn’t a problem for me, since my own dog shares such behaviors (but he’s worse, so my husband and I leave him only with professionals, not volunteer sitters).
• Repeatedly asked beforehand whether I had preferences for certain things and, because they saw in my profile that I value fridge and freezer space, cleared out room for me.
• Offered well-appointed guest quarters, with comforts like a nice B&B.
• Had their regular cleaning crew come as usual while I was sitting. I knew about this ahead of time.
• Repeatedly expressed appreciation. Then gave me treats from their travels.
• Asked whether they could contact me for repeat sitting.
I arrived at a repeat sit this morning, to find the house had been pre-heated and they left a few snack items, bottle of wine and a gift card to the dog-friendly restaurant I’ve taken the dogs to in the past. In the bedroom was a thank you note along with some fun bath products. I mentioned I have friends who will be in town for the weekend, so they also left an extensive list of local recommendations for places to visit with friends.
Great idea, @Maggie8K , to throw some positivity in
My last host, plus the current one:
✓ picked me up from the airport
✓ took me grocery shopping the same day
✓ prepared a lovely meal, with salmon; my favourite
✓ booked or prepared a guest room
✓ showed me around in the area, by car, on day two
✓ treated me on a coffee with a homemade cake
✓ made me feel welcome by spending time and chatting on other things than their pets as well
✓ were interested in my wellbeing too during the sit
✓ entrusted me completely with their beloved pets and home
✓ brought a cute tiny bag with some presents from their trip
✓ gave hugs and still send messages with little hearts
✓ left such positive vibes, I wouldn’t hesitate to come back
A sit I just wrapped and I’m returning later this Spring: Messaged me before the sit to say her kitchen is empty and she’d like to pick up basics for me. I thanked her and she grabbed eggs berries and oat milk for me. So lovely! I BYO coffee tea and breads so it was lovely to have this for me.
One dog/beach bungalow: Had their regular hot tub and garden maintenance person come while I was there for two weeks so I didn’t haven’t to worry about it and just enjoy the garden, hot tub and beach house at my leisure.
2 dog mid-century modern marvel: Let me know where I could pick the best pomelos and citrus on the grounds of the community.
2 dog seaside spot: Let me pick my own lemons and oranges from the orchards on their property.
Brilliant thread @Maggie8K !!! We’re really lucky to have had really amazing hosts. The naturally kind, and welcoming sort. The kind that has read our profile and personalises their first message to us, with sweet words that are relatable to our profile.
We’ve had yummy treats, countless bottles, beautiful meals, homemade bakes, numerous treats brought back from far and wide, and whole lot of thoughtfulness.
The most wholesome treat, is when we’re told to help ourselves to the veggie patch, fresh herbs, apple and pear trees, and oranges and lemons. Ooooo and tomatoes and peppers in the greenhouse, gorgeous!
We’ve had cleaners, gardeners, we’ve accepted lifts, and kindly been offered a place to stay if we’re in their area.
The thing we love hearing is “don’t bother washing the sheets, just strip the bed”, which is always a logisitical challenge on the day of leaving.
Pet peeve - I wish all HO’s would have SOME dishwasher proof mugs, there’s an abundance of personalised mugs, where the pattern isn’t dishwasher safe.
We’ve had fantastic HO’s, and we’ve made some amazing friends, which we didn’t expect when we started sitting, we thought it was all about their furry family.
Yes for me being treated as an equal and part of a team to ensure the sit goes well is a big relief.
Some thoughtfulness goes a long way; it’s not all about what I can do and the pet care requirements.
If I don’t come with a vehicle taking me shopping so I have everything bought in and I don’t need to leave the pets so often for daily shopping.
Use of the car is a big plus!
A cleaner visiting regularly if it’s a long sit.
Local contact if the Home Owner is some distance away, abroad.
The words Help yourself to .. basic food and drink although I never do.
Books and games available as well as tv subscriptions so I’m not bored.
Keep up contact after the sit. Interest in keeping in touch for possible repeat sit.
Some lovely things I still remember about my experiences with Home Owners:
Hand picked flowers in the guest room
Extra large eggs delivered I could enjoy
Make your own meals with ingredients being delivered all week for free.
Free toiletries
Free washing powder and dishwasher powder.
Use of dog walking equipment I didn’t have like Wellies, warm fleece walking socks ( I came from a hot country to a cold one. )
Tagging device on pet so I could relax more on walks !
A small Gift on their return to show their appreciation.
Sharing their plans to breed their dog and would I be available to help with puppy care!
Recommending me to friends and family for new adventures!
In 70+ sits I have met some lovely thoughtful people who as hosts are so pleased to have you come that they treat you as they would a friend coming to stay. I do quite a lot of repeat sits where I am booked up a year ahead because people arrange their holidays around my availability. I’m often left gifts, shopping and vouchers, one was for a visit to Highgrove.
In return I look after the beautiful homes I stay in and of course the pets. I am pretty adaptable, don’t panic in a crisis and keep in touch with photos every day.
In Covid lots of people kept in touch by email, checking if I was ok as I live alone. I have an open invitation to pop in if passing to several places I sit and I have done this in the past as we treat each other like old friends and the pets are pleased to see me.
There are a lot of negative things on here but for me this has been a lovely positive experience. Yes there are places I wouldn’t go back to but now I am very choosey about where I go.
@Chrissy I agree with all you say. I have made some wonderful friends from this site, who started off as sitters and (in my role as a sitter) have had some wonderful and generous hosts. @Maggie8K Thanks for asking the question! It is good to remember the positive, after scrolling through some of the less joyful posts
We’ve met many friendly, interesting and thoughtful hosts, and the highlights have been shared meals (both home cooked and at a restaurant) and interesting conversations, fresh flowers, local produce, wine or chocolates and thank you cards to welcome us. Many have been incredibly generous, in suggesting that we can have friends or family come to stay or visit during the sit (and what greater demonstration of trust can there be?).
On one particularly memorable sit, we were welcomed not just by the hosts but by members of their extended family, and we all went out to a restaurant where we spent a fabulous evening!
What a great topic @Maggie8K I’ve enjoyed reading through the replies so far.
I hope you don’t mind, but I added a stock photo to your post, so that I could add it to our Featured Topics on the home page. This will mean anyone looking at the home page will see the topic and hopefully come to get involved.
Our current sit is in a beautiful large home , surrounded by stunning gardens , with a very clean comfortable and well presented guest bedroom . The fridge has been cleared out in preparation for our stay and also a clear shelf in the pantry for us to use . Along with the comment help yourself to whatever you want .
The small vase of fresh flowers from the garden arranged and put in our room - shows a personal touch from the host that says we really appreciate you looking staying here to look after our pets for us .
My last sit, which was a repeat the host offered to buy my groceries before I came next time at the end of the previous sit which had been very last minute, I had explained that I take medication which has the side effect of being an appetite suppressant so it was a bit wasteful so not to worry. So instead she gave me a £50 M&S voucher which was REALLY sweet of her, and her husband left the log burner all made up and ready to go.
I’ve been offered local transport cards, which is really helpful.
Most HOs have told me to help myself to food and drink, insisting that a glass of wine in the garden is really enjoyable.
Some have given me a lift from and to the station and the airport.
I’ve been offered the use of car.
I have received some presents and food especially bought for me to taste local produce.
But what I enjoy and appreciate most is being hosted the night before and sharing a welcome dinner with a nice chat.
I have been so lucky that, when at a recent sit I wasn’t even offered a drink of water in a pre-sit visit, I was tempted to down rate hospitality but I then realized it would not be fair to use previous positive experiences as the standard. They did offer to help myself to food in the fridge during the sit.
Wow! So many thoughtful hosts! And what a great thread this is @Maggie8K. Thanks for starting this conversation.
The people I’ve sat for have, for the most, part been fabulous: met me at the airport / train station, prepared or took me out for a wonderful meal the night before they left, made a point of letting me know they cleared space for my things, provided lots of information about things to do locally, etc.
But my most heart-warming was a woman in Melbourne, Australia for whom I was scheduled to stay with 2 older Labs for 6 weeks.
A few months out, she let me know that one of the dogs had passed. She thought the other dog, who was the older dog, might follow suit. But she assured me I was still welcome to stay in her condo even if the 2nd dog passed before I arrived. Her son lived next door, so she didn’t need me there from a security perspective. She also insisted on paying for an up-scale hotel room for the night before she left when I mentioned I was planning to get a room the night before to make her travel day easier. Oh yes, and she bought a desk because she knew I worked remotely, and she didn’t have a good place for computer work.
We’re still friends, and she and her big old Lab have a special place in my
So many great hosts, so many welcoming gestures.
It’s a long list, but here are some that come to mind:
Pick up/drop off at airport or train stn
Welcome basket-everything from wine to skin care to a jigsaw puzzle
Request for preferences and ensuring a few grocery items were stocked
Cleaning services
Ensuring fridge/freezer space as well as a drawer and/or hanging space for clothes
Preparing dinner on the first night
Homemade baked goods- uh….yes please!
A booklet of recommendations for restaurants, walks, local sights and day trips
Maps and brochures for the area
Offer of fresh veggies from their garden
Use of vehicle for pet emergencies, sometimes for transporting dogs for walks and hikes
And the absolute best of:
Offering up a room before and after the sit
A loaded transit card to get you started (which I’ve always re-loaded for the next sitter)
Introductions to local friends and family
And recommending me to friends and family looking for a sitter
I am super grateful to hosts and always leave a thank you card. For my amazing hosts I often leave a small gift of appreciation- maybe a small box of their favorite chocolates, fresh flowers, a new pet toy, or one of my favorite fruit syrups made in my home town.
No need to be extravagant, but a kind gesture goes a long way.
No pressure for anyone to list everything, because I know some folks have sat for many years.
Cool if anyone wants to take time to share a long list, but my original request was for examples from recent sits, because I wasn’t expecting anyone to spend time going through all previous experiences. I cited only a few examples myself.
YAY for a positive thread, given that many of the folks on here are looking for help with problems. I sometimes think that reading some of the threads on here would put people off the whole housesit thing!
Welcome meal
Small gifts like souvenirs from their trip, lip balm, flower/pot kit…
Offered airport pickup & car
“Stay as long as you want when we get back”
Snacks for the road
“Eat whatever you find”
Invitation to drive around town with them to see the area on their pre-trip errands
Free movie pass
Relatives took me sightseeing & invited me to supper & a club activity
Set up a spare phone for me so I wouldn’t have to get a U.S. phone card
Happy New Year from Bali (Nyepi or silent day) an enforced day of chilling and reflection! You are not allowed out of your accommodation for 24 hours and we had heard that electricity and WiFi would be switched off but fortunately it isn’t.
We are in the last 10 days of our ten week trip to Singapore, New Zealand and Bali. This trip which included three amazing sits in NZ would not have been possible without the help of a couple we sit for quite regularly in the UK. Some of you that know us are aware that we sit with our elderly Bichon/Maltese dog. She is an amazing dog and everywhere we go everyone loves her. So to facilitate this trip away which has been a dream for us as we have not been back to NZ since we left after the earthquakes our hosts:
Took in our dog for the ten weeks!
Garaged and checked our car
Gave us a lift to the nearest coach station (30 mins away) for our trip to Heathrow
Spoilt our dog! Bought her a very expensive aquafleece coat (to match her dog ). We had wanted to get her one but the lead time and delivery time never worked out. Bought her a ‘snuffle mat’ so both dogs can have their supper together! And when their dog went to the groomers ours did too!!
Picking us up from the coach station on our return
Informed us that the spare room is made up in case we need a nap before heading off again
All this on top of the fact that when we sit their cleaner comes in on the morning we arrive and again on the morning we depart and takes care of the bedding.. We are always left some bottles of lovely wine and a fridge of vegetables to use up along with anything ready to be picked in the garden. Their dog is adorable, loves our dog and all the neighbours know us .
And the thing is… we have 3/4 other home owners that have offered the same/similar and would happily host us and/or our dog if we asked.
We are off to France in May/June with our dog and have been amazed that we have managed to pick up some great sits there too. The sits in NZ were amazing too with very generous hosts and a car to use on each one. Living the dream
Yes, thank you for the positivity Maggie.
I have had SUCH kindnesses!
I have almost always received transportation from and to train stations; requests ahead of time for my morning food and beverage needs & desires (coffee/cream); many restaurant dinners; navigational help with trains, buses and undergrounds in unfamiliar places; rides for food shopping prior to host’s departure; great info re special local places for eating/drinking/shopping and exploring. Also small gifts from hosts’ travel.
Most recently, I received an unsolicited invitation for my puppy to join me, and a ticket to a stage performance .
Clearly this host had paid attention to my profile when i stated some of my ‘loves’ to include live local theatre and modern dance.
It has mostly been incredible, kind, loving sits for me. And I too have gained long-term friendships which have lasted far beyond the sits.
Absolutely lovely.
I am living my best life, thanks to THS and fabulous critters and humans.
I’m just starting a 6 week sit in a small hamlet just outside of a village in the Cotswolds. I picked up from the train station a day and a half before the HO’s left and enjoyed joining them on their errands to get a better sense of the area.
I was treated to a home cooked meal the first night and one out at the local pub the night before their departure. I’ve never been given any cash before but was given a generous amount to cover some of my travel expenses, which was unexpected.
I was taken grocery shopping though I felt really uncomfortable throwing a bunch of things in the cart, even though the HO kept asking me too. I did put one thing but I’m pretty sure she overbought a few things as the fridge already had plenty of fresh milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, fruit, and veggies.
I have access to both of their cars and gratefully one is an automatic. I’m from the US and haven’t driven a stick in a while!
They have a cozy guest room and they’ve made sure I have everything I need and also encouraged to make myself at home. Couldn’t ask for much more! They’re also keeping their biweekly cleaners.
I’ve enjoyed reading through the replies so far.
I sometimes think that reading some of the threads on here would put people off the whole housesit thing!
). We had wanted to get her one but the lead time and delivery time never worked out. Bought her a ‘snuffle mat’ so both dogs can have their supper together! And when their dog went to the groomers ours did too!!
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