Practical guide
The welcome supplies that change an arrival
The law requires nothing. But a guest who arrives late and tired and finds a way to wash their hands and make a cup of tea starts off on the right foot. Here is what we check, visit after visit.
Updated 18 September 2026 · 2 min read
The essentials
- toilet paper, with a spare roll in each toilet;
- soap by every basin;
- something to do the washing-up: liquid or tablets, and a new sponge;
- bin bags.
These are the basics: if one is missing, the guest notices on the first evening, and will not always find a shop open to replace it.
The comforts
- tea, coffee and sugar, depending on the number of guests;
- kitchen basics: salt, pepper, oil, vinegar;
- a multi-purpose cleaner, a cloth, a dustpan and brush;
- shower gel and shampoo.
Match the length of the stay
For one or two nights, the essentials are enough: a guest passing through cooks little and leaves quickly. Beyond a week, the property becomes a real home: plan a bigger reserve, laundry detergent if there is a washing machine, tablets if there is a dishwasher, and a second set of sponges.
For a family, a few simple touches make the difference: a gentle soap, an extra flannel, a spare roll of kitchen paper.
Large refillable bottles rather than miniatures
Miniatures feel like a hotel, but they often end up half full in the bin, and a nearly empty bottle makes a poor impression. Refillable dispensers in the bathroom and by the sink look neater, are easier to check and create less waste.
In Lyon, tap water is safe to drink: a jug in the fridge does the job better than plastic bottles.
The thoughtful touch
A handwritten note, a Lyon speciality, a bottle of water in the fridge: small things, and often what reviews remember. Adapt it to the length of the stay and the property.
A few pralines, the address of the nearest bakery or of the local market: a local touch is remembered better than an expensive gift.
What to avoid
- products opened by the previous guest: an opened jar does not inspire confidence, so it goes;
- fresh food, which does not keep between stays;
- strong air fresheners: some guests are sensitive to them, and a clean home does not need them.
The real issue: never running out
Choosing the products is easy. Making sure they never run out is less so. A small reserve on site, always kept in the same place, and a glance at every visit at what is running low, are enough.
That is what we do at every visit: we top up what is missing, and the report flags what needs buying. Also mention where the reserve is in the welcome book, so the guest finds the spare roll on their own. For the rest of the arrival, see our guide Welcoming your guests.
This guide gives general pointers. It is not legal advice, and the obligations that come with letting a property remain its owner's. The law that applies is French law; legal texts are cited in French.