How To Check Into A Guest House [Traveler’s Guide]

Guest Houses
Written By Taz Zaidi

How To Check Into A Guest House

Guest houses (also spelled “guesthouses”) are generally more laid-back than hotels, so it helps to understand how check-in works before you arrive (especially if you’re accustomed to hotel service).

In this guide, we’ll cover how to check into a guest house.

After showing you how to discover and book a guest house online, we’ll cover how to find your check-in instructions, why you should consider bringing cash (in some countries/regions) and how checkout works.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted guest house rooms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on guest houses in any destination, click here.

First, Book Your Place!

Agoda.com is a great place to find guest houses.

The site shows guest houses around the world (from budget to luxury), with stays ranging from a night to a month or longer. For a step-by-step guide on how to find and book a guest house that fits your tastes and budget, use our Guest House Booking Guide.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted guest house rooms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on guest houses in any destination, click here.

Your Check-In Instructions

After booking a guest house on Agoda, you’ll receive check-in instructions. To access it, click your account icon in the upper-right corner of the page, then select “My bookings” from the drop-down menu.

Then, click “Upcoming” and select your booking.

On your booking, you’ll see check-in and checkout dates, property policies and address of the property. Click the address to see it pinned on Agoda’s map.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted guest house rooms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on guest houses in any destination, click here.

What To Expect When You Arrive

Hotels hire staff, but many guest houses don’t. Guest houses are often family-owned and operated. Many lack a reception area and only accept guests between certain hours (like 2 pm to 8 pm). Earliest check-in could be as late as 6 pm. Check-in time is shown on your booking confirmation email. Hosts often live in or nearby the same property as their guests.

In my experience, hosts typically greet guests at the entrance, give them a brief room and property tour, and explain important things they should know (like WiFi password, how to to enter the property, etc.). If you booked online, your host may ask when you plan to arrive, then prepare for you accordingly. Notify the host beforehand if you’ll be arriving late.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted guest house rooms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on guest houses in any destination, click here.

Bring Cash With You (Potentially)

Many guest houses in cash-based economies (like in parts of Eastern Europe, Africa and South America) only accept cash payment. In such cases, Agoda may require you to enter card details to hold a reservation, but you’ll pay for the booking in-person. To find a property that accepts card, simply click the “Payment options” tab, then click “Pay now” in the drop-down.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted guest house rooms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on guest houses in any destination, click here.

How To Check Out Of A Guest House

Guest house and hotel checkout processes are similar. Expect checkout hour to be sometime between 10 am and 1 pm. Some properties allow guests to store their bags to be picked up later that day. If you’ll check out early, notify your host the day prior, as many hosts do not work early morning hours (before 8 am) and may keep the front door locked overnight.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted guest house rooms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on guest houses in any destination, click here.

Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

Checking in and out of a guest house is simple. But it can feel odd for some travelers, especially if the host also lives in the property. In any case, simply follow the tips we covered above! To learn more about guest houses, explore our other guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

How To Find Great Deals On Guest Houses

Agoda.com is a great place to book a guest house online. You’ll find properties for groups, solo travelers, couples and families. For today’s deals on guest houses in your destination, click here. If you’ve never stayed in a guest house before and just prefer a step-by-step guide showing you how to find and book your ideal stay, follow our Guest House Booking Guide.

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Taz Zaidi [Author]
Taz Zaidi [Author]

Taz Zaidi is an American travel writer and the founder/creator of TRVLGUIDES.com. Connect with him on Instagram (@tazzaidi) or on his personal website, at tazzaidi.com.

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Taz Zaidi
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