Give your guests an extra special experience this festive season with hosting tips from the couple behind the UK’s coolest boutique hotels

Welcoming people into our home has become a joy we no longer take for granted, thanks to events of the past few years. And spending quality time in real life with people who are important to us is a staple of the Christmas season. It’s a season of happy events, from school nativities to carol concerts, that lends itself to informal gatherings. But how can you ensure yours is a memorable and welcoming one? By getting expert advice from those who create memorable guest experiences for a living.
   
Enter Justin and Charlotte Salisbury – the husband-and-wife couple behind Artist Residence, the boutique hotel brand that has a reputation for delivering a special guest experience, combining warmth with inimitable style.
   
The most crucial aspect of entertaining, says Justin, is creating an environment in which people feel comfortable and relaxed. Consider a wreath on the door and lanterns in the hallway to create a warm and welcoming entrance when guests are coming in from the cold. Ensuring that a ‘comfortable’ and ‘relaxed’ vibe suffuses your home often comes down to good preparation. This doesn’t mean redecorating or making any extravagant purchases, but working harder on the little touches. “It’s about appearing effortless in your preparations,” Justin says, “like the analogy about the swan seeming graceful on the surface but working very hard underneath the water.”

“It’s very important to know who’s coming and get the numbers right,” he says, “Being well-prepared allows you to spend more time with your guests and less time stuck in the kitchen.” If this means spending a few days in advance having a spring clean or reorganising rooms, then it will save you stress on the day. Reducing clutter will help you enjoy your own home, which will, in turn make your guests feel more at ease.
   
But there’s no one ‘right’ thing to do. “We often talk about the three-legged stool approach as a way to maintain balance in your hosting efforts,” Justin adds. “The three legs represent ambience, cleanliness and service hospitality. They all support the main goal of enjoying the company of your friends and family.” However, he says, “It’s really important not to make any one thing the focus.”

Lights and music go a long way to ensuring your guests feel welcome. Good lighting is crucial. “The oldest trick in the hospitality book is turning up the lights when you want people to leave,” says Justin, “so dimming the lights can make your space feel more welcoming.” Light candles to create a warm and festive ambience (and help banish unwanted cooking smells).
   
Similarly, if you’re showing guests to their bedroom, make sure there’s a lamp on already so they’re not going into a dark room. Getting the music right is as crucial as the lighting. “Technology really helps with this,” says Justin. “Consider allowing friends to contribute to your choices of music, and make sure your choices create the right atmosphere.” If you’re in a house with lots of rooms, use tech to ensure music is available in every room, or have small radios in guest bedrooms with music playing when your visitors arrive.

If you’re entertaining in a small space and want to ensure it stays clean, consider cooking much of the food in advance so you just have to get the dishes out. “Use a drinks trolley to serve cocktails and drinks, and this can also serve as a space to move dirty dishes and utensils out of sight quickly.” Cook single-dish meals to minimise washing up and place nibbles where you want people to gather as they’ll naturally gravitate towards them and you can carry on with entertaining or cooking.
   
However, Justin adds: “It’s also worth remembering that people don’t remember hotels because they were spotlessly clean. People expect a certain standard, sure, but they remember the little things – and they want to feel that they can fully relax.”

In the bedroom, adding throws and cushions to an otherwise functional room can elevate the visit to a more boutique experience. And don't underestimate the impact of fresh, crisp sheets, either. Towels on the bed can be a no-no in some hotel circles but, says Justin, “the main thing is to make sure your guests know exactly where their towels are and which ones are destined for them”.
   
A well-stocked tray with all the essentials (water, snacks, as well as tea and coffee if you have guests staying for longer than a couple of nights) can ensure that nobody needs to ask for anything. Likewise, make bathroom items accessible and make it obvious what’s intended for guests to use. Leave a tray of mini-toiletries with the towels (and even a note) so the intention is clear.
   
By keeping things simple, focusing on ambience and paying attention to the little details, you can ensure that your guests have a memorable and comfortable experience in your home. After all, the holiday season is about cherishing time with loved ones – and a welcoming home is the perfect backdrop for creating new, meaningful memories.

This content was first published as part of a partnership with Telegraph Media Group and published on telegraph.co.uk.