4 Reasons You Should Experience A Guest House [At Least Once]

Guest Houses
Written By Taz Zaidi

The Guest House Experience

Guest houses are special in a few ways.

They typically allow you to connect with local culture more closely than if you were to stay in a hotel. Guest houses (also spelled “guesthouses”) are a superb choice for any traveler seeking a unique lodging experience.

In this guide, we’ll cover why you should stay in a guest house.

We’ll explore the 4 main reasons - cultural immersion, a relaxed setting, the ability to save money, and ability to cook. Whether you book your guest house through trusted sites like Agoda.com or find one locally, these 4 reasons generally hold true in guest houses globally.

*Agoda.com is one of the best places to find and book guest houses online. To see today’s deals on guest houses in your destination, click here.

4 Reasons To Experience A Guest House

If you’re brand new to guest houses and want to learn all about them (such as how they work, their history, what they’re like inside, the various guest house types, what you should bring to your guest house stay, plus some frequently asked questions), click here.

1)  Cultural Immersion

Many travelers are seeking a cultural experience.

There are 8 different types of guest houses - rural, urban, budget, luxury, boutique, historic/cultural, mountain and eco-friendly. Each offer unique features and experiences. Some guest houses are a hybrid of multiple types. To learn all about these 8 guest house types (with 5 examples of each), click here.

Hotels are often located in a “hotel district/zone”, but guest houses can be located just about anywhere. As a guest, this allows you to immerse yourself within local neighborhoods with a “residential” feel. By doing so, you’ll see how locals live, and experience something a bit different from the “typical” lodging experience.

You can potentially learn about daily life, customs, language and cuisine from the perspective of a local resident. It’s not uncommon for guests and hosts to converse over a meal or drink. I’ve personally had countless experiences where a local host served me tea or wine, followed by an engaging hours-long chat.

*For today’s deals on guest houses in your destination, click here.

2)  Relaxed Setting

Guest houses are usually laid back establishments.

For example, breakfast in a guest house often doesn’t start as early as a hotel breakfast. It’s common for a guest house host to ask guests what time they want breakfast served, rather than assigning a time. Guest houses also tend to be smaller and service fewer guests than hotels do, which can also ease their atmosphere.

Guest houses that foster a social atmosphere can help to facilitate an environment where guests can meet interesting and like-minded travelers to share laughs, meals and travel tips with. Some properties partner with local tour guides or organize their own activities, such as walking tours, barbecues and wine tastings.

*For today’s deals on guest houses in your destination, click here.

3) You’ll Save Money

Guest houses generally cost less than hotels per night.

In my experience, guest house rooms rarely exceed the price of local 3-star hotel rooms. Hotels tend to have more overhead (expenses), they’re usually located in a leased property (often in high traffic areas), they hire staff, and are sometimes subject to different zoning rules and regulations than guest house properties are.

Guest houses are often family-owned and operated. Their “staff” usually consists of family members who help with whatever needs to get done. For example, a host’s son might handle check-in and her mother may cook breakfast. Urban guest houses also typically are not located in the most central, priciest parts of town.

Another reason why guest houses typically cost less, is that they usually provide fewer amenities than hotels do. By saving on lodging, you’ll have more to spend on things like tours, car rentals and restaurants. Many guest houses only accept cash, especially those located in cash-based economies (such as in parts of Eastern Europe, South Asia, Africa, etc.). For how to find a guest house that accepts card payment, click here.

*For today’s deals on guest houses in your destination, click here.

4)  You Can Usually Cook

Guest houses often provide a kitchen for their guests.

Some include private kitchen access for all guests (en-suite) while others offer a single, shared kitchen for guests and the host to share. Generally, guest houses with full kitchen access cost less than hotels with full kitchen access. As a guest, this also allows you save on lodging if you plan to cook your own food. To learn all about guest house kitchen etiquette, click here.

To find a guest house that has a kitchen/kitchenette, filter your search on Agoda.com by clicking “More”, then select the “Kitchen” filter below the “Room amenities” tab (screenshot below). This way, only the properties that provide kitchen access will appear in your search results. For help with booking your guest house, follow our Guest House Booking Guide.

*For today’s deals on guest houses in your destination, click here.

Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

Travel is about enjoyable, enriching, mind-opening experiences (preferably without having to break the bank). Staying in a guest house is a great way to do all of this. 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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The 8 Types Of Guest Houses [With Examples]
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