The 8 Types Of Guest Houses [With Examples]

Guest Houses
Written By Taz Zaidi

Types Of Guest Houses

Guest houses have standard features (common areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen) but come in various forms. Regardless of their tastes or budget, there’s a guest house that fits every type of traveler out there.

In this guide, we’ll cover the 8 types of guest houses (with examples).

These include: rural, urban, budget, luxury, boutique, historic/cultural, mountain and eco-friendly. Some guest houses are a hybrid of multiple. For example, a budget guest house could be located in a rural area, boutique guest houses can be historic, and mountain guest houses are often eco-friendly.

*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.

The 8 Types Of Guest Houses

Below each description, I’ve included 5 examples of each type of guest house (also spelled “guesthouse”). To get a feel for which category any guest house falls into (if not on the list), check its property description, guest reviews and photos on Agoda.com (one of the best places to discover and book guest houses online).

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

1) Rural Guest Houses

Rural guest houses have become very popular.

Many travelers stay in rural guest houses longer than originally planned due to their serene nature and welcoming atmosphere. In remote regions that lack sufficient visitors to warrant the opening of a hotel, a rural guest house might be the only lodging option.

Rural guest houses are found in various environments, such as on beaches, in rainforests and riverside. Since many rural guest houses are off-the-beaten-track, they can be a way to connect with local culture in a relaxed setting. Many properties/hosts offer activities for their guests, such as guided hikes and wine tasting.

Rural Guest House Examples:

2) Urban Guest Houses

Urban guest houses are located in cities and towns.

Many travelers overlook this lodging option, because of the abundance of other options typically found in cities. But urban guest houses can offer a “homelier” environment compared to the more “generic” feel that many hotels provide. Some urban guest houses offer weekly and/or monthly rates to attract longer stays.

An urban guest house can make a great base if you’ll be in a destination for longer than a few nights, as it may provide many of the same features and facilities found in hotels, like free breakfast, tours and a central location. Urban guest houses sometimes host activities and/or events, like walking tours and cooking classes.

Urban Guest House Examples:

3) Budget Guest Houses

Budget guest houses offer low nightly rates.

This is because they typically forgo extra features and amenities, making them ideal for a budget-conscious traveler who doesn’t mind “no-frills accommodation”. Budget guest house rooms may be small, service may be slow(er) and properties may lack breakfast options or common spaces outside of the guest rooms.

Many budget guest houses will also offer dorm beds in addition to private rooms. It’s common for budget guest house rooms to be the cheapest lodging option in town (particularly if there are no hostels or budget hotels also available in that particular area).

Budget Guest House Examples:

4) Luxury Guest Houses

Luxury guest houses focus on providing comfort.

What’s defined as “luxury” depends on an individual traveler’s tastes and preferences, though luxury guest houses typically have modern, stylish interiors - from their common areas to their bedrooms. They aim to be comfortable and offer on-property features, such as a spa, mountain views and villa/suite options.

Expect to pay a premium nightly rate for a room in a luxury guest house. They can easily cost more than hotel rooms in that area. For example, Guest House at Graceland, built beside Graceland Mansion (which was previously Elvis Presley’s home), rivals 4 and 5-star hotels in terms of amenities, facilities and layout.

Luxury Guest House Examples:

5) Boutique Guest Houses

Boutique guest houses aim to be “memorable”.

In addition to their attention to detail, boutique guest houses typically offer more personalized services and a more homely feel than typical guest house properties. They’re usually small, non-chain establishments with an explicit or subtle local theme. Some provide many amenities for their guests, others are minimalistic.

Boutique guest houses are ideal for travelers seeking relaxation, as they provide more comfort and better overall services than a typical guest house, from their breakfasts to their amenities and tour options.

Boutique Guest House Examples:

6) Historic/Cultural Guest Houses

These are often located in historic old towns.

Modern hotels can easily disrupt the aesthetic in areas where local architecture is unique and notable - which often makes guest houses a better fit, as they typically require less renovation and maintenance. A historic guest house can operate as a standalone attraction and may offer property tours (for guests and non-guests).

Examples of historic/cultural guest houses include the unique homes in Berat, Albania as well as Ushguli, Georgia. By turning generationally-owned properties into guest houses, local families can earn income by treating their guests to a unique lodging experience. Some historic guest houses spend phases being closed to the public (such as Taipei Guest House).

Historic/Cultural Guest House Examples:

7) Mountain Guest Houses

These are also sometimes called “huts” or “cabins”.

Mountain guest houses are usually located near hiking trails or ski slopes, creating a communal atmosphere where guests can chat with others about their plans and experiences. Mountain guest houses offer facilities for guests to relax, recover and continue to (hike, ski, drive, etc.) the next day. Some host daily or weekly activities, like guided trekking or snowboard lessons.

Some are also known for the meals they provide. For example, there are guest houses along some of Nepal’s Himalayan hiking routes that serve daily breakfast and dinner. They’re a key part of hikers’ schedules, as there are few other lodging and food options available up in the highest mountain range in the world. Many mountain guest houses operate seasonally, particularly the ones located in regions prone to extreme weather.

Mountain Guest House Examples:

8) Eco-Friendly Guest Houses

Eco-friendly guest houses aim to operate sustainably.

They may employ methods like efficient energy usage, waste minimization, composting and subsistence farming. Some properties allow guests to volunteer to develop skills related to sustainability, permaculture, etc. Eco guest houses are often in popular backpacker regions, such as Central America and Southeast Asia.

While they usually aren’t luxurious, eco-friendly guest houses tend to attract guests who share certain values - which can result in a strong community spirit. For example, a guest house that promotes the plant-based lifestyle might also grow and serve vegan or vegetarian food. Some eco guest houses are urban, others rural.

Eco-Friendly Guest House Examples:

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

Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

No matter your tastes or budget, there’s a guest house for you. You’ll find all 8 types on Agoda.com. To get a feel for which category (or categories) a guest house falls into, browse property descriptions, guest reviews and listing photos on the site. 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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