Homestay vs. Guesthouse — What's the Difference?

Accommodation involving cultural exchange and meals.

Operates similarly to a hotel but more personalized and smaller.

A lodging option where travelers stay in a local's home.

A small, usually budget-friendly lodging separate from the host's living quarters.

Often cheaper than hotels due to included amenities.

May or may not offer food services.

Provides an opportunity for language practice.

Often includes amenities like WiFi and private bathrooms.

May involve shared living spaces with the host family.

Suitable for travelers looking for minimal host interaction.

A system whereby students, visiting a foreign country to study, board with a local family at an affordable price.

A small house or cottage adjacent to a main house, used for lodging guests.

Homestay (also home stay and home-stay) is a form of hospitality and lodging whereby visitors share a residence with a local of the area to which they are traveling. The length of stay can vary from one night to over a year and can be provided for free (gift economy), in exchange for monetary compensation, in exchange for a stay at the guest's property either simultaneously or at another time (home exchange), or in exchange for housekeeping or work on the host's property (barter economy).

A bed-and-breakfast.

A house used primarily as the residence of the owner but with the business of accommodating paying guests.

A small house near a main house, for lodging visitors.

A private house offering accommodation to paying guests; a boarding house; a bed and breakfast.

A house separate from the main house; for housing guests

Homestays are often preferred for longer stays due to the cultural immersion and potentially lower costs with included amenities, while guesthouses might be better for shorter, more independent visits.

No, while both offer lodging, a guesthouse is more akin to a small hotel with less emphasis on included meals, whereas a bed and breakfast always includes breakfast and usually more interaction with the hosts.

A homestay involves living with a local family and often includes meals, providing a cultural experience, whereas a guesthouse is more like a small hotel offering more privacy and independence.

Meals are commonly included in homestays but rarely in guesthouses, where guests might need to arrange their own meals.

Guesthouses typically offer basic hotel amenities such as private bathrooms, WiFi, and sometimes kitchen facilities, though the extent can vary widely.

Homestays can be cheaper as they often include meals and other amenities, while guesthouses might charge separately for similar services.

Booking a homestay typically involves contacting the host directly, often through a platform that specializes in homestay arrangements to ensure a good fit with the host family.

Privacy in a homestay is limited as guests typically share the home with the host family, unlike in guesthouses where private rooms are more common.

Homestays are generally safe as they are often vetted through platforms that match hosts and guests, but it’s always advisable to read reviews and communicate clearly with the host beforehand.

Yes, many platforms allow you to choose from various host families, enabling you to select one that matches your preferences for location, family members' profiles, and interests.