I’ve had wonderful, kind and caring Host pet sits. Most important to me is respect, privacy, clear concise instructions, communication and a detailed profile on the pet(s). Icing on the cake would be a neat tidy clean home, clear instructions of what foods/items I can or cannot use and a “Welcome bottle of wine”.
In return I always make sure my returning host(s) have a meal awaiting in the fridge with their preferred beverage. ( with a conversation of preferences pre-return home).
Yes, a room clear of knock knacks. Whenever we go and visit our parents, their rooms have so many photos, figurines, etc on every surface that we have no where to put a phone even. It charges on top of our suitcase. Very inconvenient.
When we decorated our guest room a lot of our inspiration was from uncomfortable guest rooms that we’ve stayed in - space to open a suitcase and a luggage rack (we have 2 actually), outlets on the lamps on the nightstands (no reaching into a strange crevice to unplug a lamp to have one outlet free), hangars and space in the closet, empty drawers, extra charging cables, reading lights, a small seat to sit to put on socks, a full length mirror, some hooks and cubbies for keys and sunglasses.
We love our family but the older we get the more uncomfortable - literally - the visits become. Our guest room is small but we always get rave reviews for how thoughtfully laid out, the very comfortable premium pillow-top mattress with extra pillows and blankets, ceiling fan to stay cool, and the fun, California-themed decor that is hung on walls - all surfaces have zero knock knacks on them!!!
Wow, I wish all HO’s were as considerate as you 
As a few people have already mentioned providing plenty of storage space is really important, whether its in the fridge, pantry, bathroom or bedroom. There’s is nothing more frustrating than finding every surface cluttered with knick knacks and every drawer or hanging rack crammed to capacity.
A few basic grocery items are always appreciated, or a home cooked meal on the night they arrive.
A pet hate of mine is the HO telling you about all the amazing cycling trails nearby but then not offering you the loan of a bike!
If you are planning a care pack then something local to the area is always appreciated. We once housesat in Ottawa during the winter and the HO gave us a little gift of some maple syrup, maple flavoured cookies as well as some ice cleats from the $2 store.
The bike trail info with no offer of a bike made me chuckle 
, sorry @PawsomePetsitters! On a different tack, we’ve just arrived on a month long sit & the host was super surprised we didn’t have our own towels 
That’s 65ish sits in over 25ish countries and the first time it’s happened. We can go & buy some no problem, but has anyone else had this happen? Also she’s had at least a dozen sitters before us and no one mentions it? Host is lovely but the towel offering was essentially a flannel each. #newdaynewlearningcurve
We’ve always been provided with towels — most often a set each consisting of a bath towel and hand towel, laid out proudly on the guest bed like in a posh hotel.
What does the amenities section say - @Cuttlefish
didn’t they tick bathroom essentials?
I always travel with my own towel as I like to swim, pool, river, sea, lake it doesn’t matter. But it’s strange that a HO didn’t provide any for you. I wonder what they do if friends or family visit, ask them to bring their own.
Great ideas, and I especially appreciate the reminder to leave some surfaces, clean and available for the sitter’s use. Thank you.
If a HO wants to have a meal or leave perishables it’s wise to ask about dietary preferences first! As a vegan sitter I’ve had a couple instances where a thoughtful gestures (grandma’s famous meatloaf!) got the sit off to a very awkward, uncomfortable start. Unless the host brings up sharing a meal or leaving food beforehand, it’s awkward to mention that I’m vegan out of the blue “just in case.”
I also appreciate HOs remembering to leave freezer space. Most sits I’ve done have fridge space but the freezer seems forgotten frequently. One sit I did had negative freezer space–I wrestled the door open and could not get it closed again!
We would not mind at all if someone enjoyed an occasional glass of any kind of alcohol in our home. However, since we do not drink alcohol ourselves, we would prefer to offer sparkling cider, a collection of sparkling and still flavored waters, coffee pods for the Keurig and a variety of teas. I don’t think it necessary to state any of that in our listing, and would hope it wouldn’t prevent applications.
I find these statements contradictory.
Oooooh lovely, we’d happily apply to Sit for you…brilliant, take a bow, Hosts!!
Agreed. And I would avoid such hosts, because who knows what else they’d say and then contradict later. Things could easily go sideways when doing such sits.
I agree about the No Alcohol rule should be noted in the listing. I am by no means an Alcoholic but I always bring some with me, currently on day 4 of a sit and not had a drink yet, but would not like to be told that I couldn’t, I find that quite bizarre and Draconian.
It is not the lack of alcohol that would bother me, but someone telling me that I am not allowed it. I am a mature adult, and I make my own decisions..
No smoking , No drugs, No parties, I totally get.
We were once asked upon arrival Did we bring our own hoover? They said their usual repeat sitters always brought their own!
We have sarongs for the same reason as you but a nice fluffy cotton towel for a month is way better 
#offtobuytwo
Now that request wins hands down!! #hooverhappy
They did yes but there’s a picture of a loo roll 
on there so in fairness it doesn’t mention towels specifically. Just fascinated by the thinking behind it. Doubly so as she bought us new bedding for our sit. #takesallsorts
I think there was a mention by you early on that you wanted someone who didn’t drink at all. If that’s the case, please put it in the initial listing. I love a glass of wine 
and wouldn’t sit somewhere that said I couldn’t enjoy that small pleasure. #clearcomms
I’ve never sat where towels weren’t provided. To me, it’s such a given, I wouldn’t even know to check a listing for that.
