How to Prepare My House for Ryder Cup Guests

Knowing how to prepare my house for Ryder Cup guests is the most common question homeowners near Adare Manor ask once they decide to make their property available for 2027. The good news is that preparation is largely straightforward. Your home does not need to become a hotel. It needs to be clean, comfortable, secure, easy to use and accurately described. If you can tick those boxes, you are well ahead of the curve.

Why Preparation Matters for Ryder Cup Guests

Golf-event visitors, particularly those travelling from the United States, the United Kingdom and continental Europe, are often booking private homes specifically because they want something better than a hotel. They expect a clean, well-equipped space where a group can settle in, share meals and relax after a long day on the course. A well-prepared home that meets those expectations is far more likely to attract a straightforward, problem-free booking than one that has been photographed in a rush and partially cleared.

Preparation also protects you. A home that has been properly cleaned, photographed and documented gives you a clear record of its condition before guests arrive, which supports any future discussion about the security deposit.

Step One: Secure Your Personal Belongings

Before you do anything else, decide which rooms or storage areas guests will not have access to. Personal documents, medication, jewellery, cash, sentimental items and anything irreplaceable should be moved to a locked cupboard, a locked room or a secure storage space outside the property. This step is not about distrusting your guests. It is simply sensible for any short-term stay.

Once private items are safely stored, you will have a much clearer picture of which areas of the home need to be cleaned and presented for guests.

Step Two: Deep Clean the Entire Property

A thorough clean is the single most important thing you can do before guests arrive. Groups who have paid well for a private home notice cleanliness immediately, and a genuinely clean property makes an excellent first impression that carries through the whole stay.

Work through the following areas methodically:

• Bathrooms and toilets: scrub thoroughly, clean mirrors, replace soap and check that hand towels are fresh.
• Kitchen: clean all surfaces, inside the oven, inside the microwave, the hob and extractor. Empty and wipe the fridge.
• Bedrooms: vacuum, dust, clean mirrors and wipe down hard surfaces.
• Living areas: vacuum, mop hard floors, dust surfaces and wipe down any frequently touched areas such as light switches and door handles.
• Entrances and hallways: tidy, sweep and mop. First impressions begin at the front door.
• Outdoor areas: tidy the garden, sweep paths and clear any garden furniture of debris.

Step Three: Make Up the Beds and Prepare Linen

Provide clean bed linen for every bed that guests will use. Check mattresses for comfort and check that all beds are structurally sound. A mattress or bed base that needs attention should be addressed before guests arrive rather than mentioned apologetically in a message after check-in.

Provide at least one full set of towels per guest, ideally two sets where possible. Leave them folded clearly in the relevant bathroom or on the end of each bed. Guests arriving after a long journey appreciate not having to search for basics.

Step Four: Check All Appliances and Utilities

Work through the property systematically and test the following:

• Hot water: run each shower and tap to confirm pressure and temperature.
• Heating: test every radiator or underfloor heating zone. Early September in County Limerick can be mild, but evenings may be cool.
• Wi-Fi: connect a device and confirm the connection works reliably. Write down the network name and password clearly.
• Kitchen appliances: test the oven, hob, microwave, kettle, toaster and washing machine if provided.
• Television: confirm it turns on and that any remote controls work. Note any login details guests may need for streaming services.
• Lighting: check every light fitting and replace any blown bulbs.
• Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors: test and replace batteries if needed.

Fixing a minor issue before guests arrive takes a few minutes. Discovering it during the stay can create an unnecessary call and a frustrated group.

Step Five: Prepare the Kitchen for Guest Use

Guests staying in a private home for several nights will almost certainly use the kitchen. Ensure it is stocked with the basics: cooking oil, salt and pepper, washing-up liquid, a sponge, bin bags, kitchen roll and foil. A reasonable selection of pots, pans, chopping boards, mixing bowls, oven trays, cutlery, crockery and glasses suitable for the number of guests is important.

Empty the fridge and leave it clean and switched on, ready for guests to stock it themselves. Leave a small amount of space on shelves or in cupboards so guests can store their own food without difficulty.

Step Six: Declutter Shared Spaces

Remove personal clutter from living areas, dining areas, bathrooms and bedrooms. The home should feel spacious and welcoming rather than crowded with family items. Guests do not need the property stripped of all character, but shared spaces work best when they are clear, tidy and easy to move around.

Check that wardrobes in guest bedrooms have a reasonable amount of hanging space and a few spare hangers. Drawer space is also appreciated by groups staying for several nights.

Step Seven: Prepare Clear Property Instructions

A simple welcome document or printed sheet left in the property can save a significant number of calls and messages during the stay. Include:

• Wi-Fi network name and password.
• How to control the heating.
• How to use the hot water.
• How to operate the oven and hob.
• Bin and recycling instructions, including collection days if relevant.
• Parking instructions.
• Your contact number for any issues.
• Check-out instructions and time.
• Any other specific instructions for appliances that are not obvious.

Keep the instructions concise and friendly. A clear one-page guide is far more useful than a lengthy document that guests will not read.

Step Eight: Tidy Outdoor Areas and Confirm Parking

If your property has a driveway or off-road parking, confirm exactly how many vehicles can park safely and include this information in your listing and your welcome document. Groups travelling to the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor will often arrive by car, sometimes in multiple vehicles, particularly those staying in Clare, Tipperary or Kerry, where road access to Adare is reasonable but parking near the venue on match days is expected to be limited.

Tidy garden furniture and confirm that any outdoor seating area is clean and in good condition. A pleasant outdoor area is a genuine selling point for a group staying in the Irish countryside for several days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to spend money on renovations before Ryder Cup guests arrive?

No. Cleanliness, comfort and good presentation matter far more than expensive upgrades.

Expensive renovations are generally unnecessary before a short-term event rental. What guests value most is a genuinely clean, comfortable and well-equipped home. Focus your preparation on a thorough deep clean, fresh linen, tested appliances and a tidy outdoor area. A well-maintained home in good everyday condition is far more appealing than a recently renovated property that has not been cleaned properly or set up thoughtfully for guests.

What should I do with personal belongings before guests arrive?

Secure medicines, documents, jewellery, cash and sentimental items in a locked room or storage area before guests check in.

Before guests arrive, move any personal documents, medication, jewellery, cash, sentimental items and anything irreplaceable to a locked cupboard, a locked room or a secure storage space away from the main guest areas. This is sensible practice for any short-term stay. It protects your belongings without inconveniencing guests, and it gives you peace of mind during the rental period. Do not feel that this step reflects poorly on your guests; it is simply a practical habit for any homeowner renting their home for the first time.

Should I take photographs of the property before guests arrive?

Yes. Taking dated photographs of the property in its clean, ready condition provides a fair record before guests check in.

Photographing the property once it is clean and fully prepared is one of the most useful things you can do. Capture every room, including furniture, appliances, walls and floors. Date-stamp the images if possible. These photographs establish the property's condition at handover and provide a straightforward reference point if any discussion about damage or the security deposit arises after checkout. The process takes around thirty minutes and can save a great deal of uncertainty later.

How many towels and sets of linen should I provide?

At least one full set of towels per guest, and one complete set of bed linen per bed, with a spare set if possible.

Provide at least one clean towel set per guest for every bathroom. Two sets per guest is preferable for stays of several nights, as it allows guests to use one set while the other is being laundered. For bed linen, make up every bed guests will use with a clean, full set before arrival. Having a spare set of linen available in an accessible cupboard is helpful for longer stays. Groups travelling to the Ryder Cup may stay for three to seven nights, so adequate linen provision makes a real difference to their comfort.

Do I need a written rental agreement for a Ryder Cup guest stay?

A simple written agreement is strongly recommended, even for a short event rental.

A straightforward written agreement does not need to be complicated. It should record the lead guest's name, the property address, the arrival and departure dates, the agreed price, the payment terms, the number of guests and the main house rules. It may also note the security deposit amount and the conditions for its return. The agreement's purpose is to record what both sides have agreed, not to create a formal legal document. Clear written terms prevent misunderstandings and give both you and your guests a fair reference point if any question arises during or after the stay.

What house rules are appropriate for Ryder Cup guests?

Keep rules short and reasonable. Cover overnight guests, noise, parking, smoking, pets and checkout instructions.

Effective house rules are brief and easy to understand. A practical set might include: only the agreed guests may stay overnight; no unauthorised parties or events; respect neighbours and keep noise at a reasonable level; follow the agreed smoking policy; follow the agreed pet policy; use designated parking only; do not enter locked private areas; report any accidental damage; follow bin and recycling instructions; lock doors and windows when leaving; follow the agreed checkout time and instructions; contact the homeowner if a serious issue arises. Rules protect the property and set clear expectations without making genuine guests feel unwelcome.