Tis the season … for hosting friends and family. We turned to a pro – Carol Heth – for advice on making guests feel at home, with some pampering added for good measure. Carol and her husband, Pete, welcome guests from all over the world to the variety of accommodations that are available on their West Hempfield Township farm.
It all began 11 years ago, when the Heths decided to explore the possibility of transforming a cottage on their property into a guest house. With Pete’s long career in construction and Carol’s interior design talents, tackling such a project was right up their alley. Carol also had an idea up her sleeve for what would become Fairview Cottage. She wanted the cottage to offer guests something she rarely found during her own travels: a large, well-equipped kitchen. “So many of the guest houses we’ve stayed in advertised a kitchen, but we discovered their idea of a well-equipped kitchen didn’t mesh with ours,” she explains. “Because so many people come to Lancaster County for the food, I wanted to give them the opportunity to prepare and enjoy it while it’s at its freshest.” Encouraging guests to go into cooking mode begins with the gift of a dozen fresh eggs that come straight from the Heths’ chicken coop. Kitchens also offer necessities such as sugar, spices and, in the summer, fresh herbs.
From there, the Heths got on a roll. They transformed a large garage into a French-inspired getaway they named The Birdhouse (complete with a lovely courtyard that features a fireplace). Next, they turned what was once a horse barn into a mid-century-inspired getaway they call the Mod Pod. Then, Pete got his hands on an Airstream travel trailer that had seen better days and spent a year rehabbing it. Décor-wise, The Glamper has a dog theme, and amenities include a separate spa-like bath area and an outdoor living area (complete with outdoor kitchen). Yet another trailer was rehabbed to accommodate guests.
All offer views of woodland and the farm’s critters, including chickens, donkeys and emus. A field has become a daycare center of sorts, as does often leave their fawns there for safekeeping during the day. “Last year we had six does do that. Guests just loved to watch the fawns playing in the field,” Carol reports.
The Fairview Cottage offers guests a cozy bedroom and a screened porch that is perfect for napping.
Of course, guests arrive with the idea of getting plenty of rest and relaxation. Thus, creating cozy and comfortable bedrooms is also high on Carol’s “must provide” list. That starts with information about the Internet, Wi-Fi, operating the televisions, etc., a helpful item that you can add to your own guest room. “We developed a QR code for all that,” Carol notes, pointing out that it reduces clutter and can make the transition to guests’ phones for easy reference. Providing guidebooks, magazines and other materials that relate to local points of interest and events is also something guests appreciate, especially if they are dealing with adjusting to time zone differences and need something to read in the middle of the night. “We’ve noticed that guests either are away all day and simply sleep here, or they arrive, and the car stays parked the entire time they are here,” Carol observes of guests’ ideas of what constitutes R&R.
Creature comforts also make all the difference. Because the farm is dog-friendly, the Heths provide four-legged guests with bowls and treats. As for the human guests, Carol finds they love to find fresh flowers in their bedrooms. “Flowers help to make people feel comfortable and welcomed,” she says. Battery-operated candles also help to ramp up the coziness factor. She also has discovered that guests enjoy having access to games and puzzles. Snacks also induce relaxation. “Nice chocolate is always appreciated, as is coffee and tea,” says Carol. However, the ultimate indulgence might be Pete’s “world-famous” scones that every guest receives upon arrival. While they are intended to be enjoyed for breakfast the next morning, I doubt they make it until then, they are that tasty. “We call them ‘world famous’ because they’ve been enjoyed by people from Scotland, Germany, Japan and Australia,” Carol says.
Such amenities and experiences have helped the Heths become Super Hosts through Airbnb and Premier Hosts through Vrbo.
During a week in September, the farm welcomes some very special guests. What began as a one-time fundraising dinner for individuals and families facing economic challenges caused by unexpected medical expenses, has grown into an organization the Heths named Lancaster County Field of Hope. Last September, the organization hosted its 10th annual farm-to-table dinner. The menu is prepared by a crew of culinary professionals who arrive from D.C. and spend days at the farm prepping for the event. The volunteer “staff” began offering their services as a result of attending one of the dinners in support of a recipient who was once their military colleague.
Information: Airbnb.com, Vrbo.com and Lancofieldofhope.com
Guest Room Savvy
We all have them … rooms we refer to as “guest rooms” but in all probability they are multitasking rooms that also function as offices, hobby rooms, gyms and catch-all spaces. How do you know if your guest room passes muster? Do a test run yourself!
We’re aware time is of the essence in getting a room guest ready for the holidays. Obviously, you don’t have time for a full-fledged makeover. However, there are creature comforts that can be added in just the “Nick” of time. Those include:
A Comfortable Mattress (maybe a mattress topper will elevate the comfort factor for now)
Plenty of Pillows (get rid of those flat-as-a-pancake relics)
Nice Sheets (your kid’s well-worn Star Wars sheets don’t qualify)
Extra Blankets (visitors from Florida will appreciate the thought)
Information about Wi-Fi, etc. (passwords and other info can be shared via a card, notebook, in a picture frame or as a QR code)
Snacks, Water (don’t forget plates, glasses, napkins)
Tissues (they solve a myriad of issues)
Towels (create a stash just for guests)
A Nightstand (or two)
A Guide to Television programming/operating the television
Reading Material (local magazines/guidebooks are entertaining and educational)
A Luggage Stand
Closet Space & Hangers
An Easy Chair or Love Seat
A variety of Lighting
From a Guest Perspective
I spent a week at my son and daughter-in-law’s home in North Carolina over Thanksgiving. How did they do? I’d give them an A and a C-. Huh?
Since Charlie and Jenn only live an hour away from North Carolina’s southern beaches, they receive their fair share of visitors. During the first two days of my Thanksgiving week stay, I took up residence in their very large guest room. It had most of the amenities listed above. The only thing lacking was closet space. The closet is filled with Charlie’s extensive T-shirt collection. Space was at a premium, as were hangers. I was tempted to move some of them to the closet in the hallway that contains his even larger sweatshirt collection, which he has carefully colorized. God forbid I mess up his swath or orange (Clemson), royal blue (Duke) or burgundy-and-gold (Washington football). Oddly enough, when I worked at The Bon-Ton, I was known as the “Queen of Colorizing,” since I was obsessed with keeping the racks of Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Tahari and Michael Kors clothing colorized. Must be genetic! My only problem was the television. I am not good with streaming. I had to keep asking him to get Landman up and running for me.
As for the C- grade, well, that occurred because Charlie’s uncle and aunt were coming for Thanksgiving, as well. As far as Charlie and Jenn were concerned, the early bird gets the bigger room and since I was first on the scene, I qualified.
To be honest, the second guest room leaves a lot to be desired. It’s a mishmash of man cave (more Clemson and Washington football), boxes filled with stuff that needs to be assembled and computer equipment. There’s no furniture except for an inflatable mattress atop a bed frame. I also had no choice but to invade the sweatshirt closet, as I had to move my clothes.
The relatives in question live in a gated community in Isle of Palms, South Carolina. The guest suite I stay in at their house has a shower that is the size of my entire bathroom. The bed is beyond hotel on the coziness scale. You get the picture. I told my daughter-in-law I would move into the smaller room. “We can’t put them in that little room,” I said, alluding to the accommodations we get treated to at their house. “I keep telling Charlie we need to do something with that room,” she replied.
Actually, the smaller room was fine. The mattress was (surprisingly) very comfortable. The bed linens bordered on luxurious. The only thing I missed was not having a TV, but thankfully I was up to date on Landman, so no biggie. I entertained myself by doing crossword puzzles on my phone. We’ve also made it a priority to get that room to an A when I’m down there in July.
I can imagine what you’re thinking: As if I don’t have enough to do at this late date and now I must worry about a guest room? Put it on your To-Do list for 2026. After all, the USA’s 250thbirthday is coming up in 2026 and I’m sure guest rooms in Lancaster County will be in high demand. So, you have homework to keep you busy in January and February.
In the meantime, have yourself a merry little Christmas!
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