Few things rival the feeling of walking into a freshly turned-down hotel room and enjoying the extra touches. So when guests come to visit, why not replicate that high-end hospitality? We asked Kerri Holden of the Four Seasons Hotel Austin to give us her secrets for rolling out the welcome mat in style.

• Put it in writing. Holden suggests placing a handwritten welcome note on the pillow; if it’s Grandma and Grandpa coming to visit, you can also display handmade drawings from the kids. “In this age of pre-printed, impersonal communications, simply taking the time to write a note shows a guest you’ve sincerely anticipated their stay,” says Holden.

• Add some local flavor. Place a few regional magazines on the nightstand, along with a few other goodies that represent your town (such as favorite local snacks or a city map). “That way, they can learn more about the city at their leisure,” says Holden.

• Get rid of the guesswork. “That 87-button television remote might make sense to you, but for out-of-town guests, such devices can be overwhelming,” says Holden. She suggests typing out simple instructions for any electronics, like TV/DVD players, iPod docking stations or alarm clocks.

• Extras, extras. Stay one step ahead of your guests by providing toiletries, extra hangers, an ironing board, and plenty of pillows and blankets. In case they need a caffeine fix, place coffee, mugs and sugar in plain sight on the kitchen counter, along with instructions for making that coveted cuppa joe.

Says Holden, “Taking the time to think of all the extras they’ll need during their visit makes you look like an uber-thoughtful host.”