(4.8 / 5)1719+ Ratings

Homestay Reviews

Are you looking for ways to save money when shopping at Homestay. Our Homestay coupon codes can help you do just that! Over 1719 customers have already used our coupons to save an average of $58 with Homestay discount codes. There are currently 27 coupons available, so now is the perfect time to join in on the savings.
Get Coupons

Overall Rating

4.8
13 Reviews
  • 558%
  • 442%
  • 30%
  • 20%
  • 10%

About Homestay

Homestay.com is a platform that connects host families with students and independent travellers looking for accommodation. The service offers a wide selection of rooms for both long and short term accommodation. The unique aspect of Homestay.com is the opportunity it provides to live with a local and truly discover your destination. It promotes sustainable local tourism by ensuring spending stays within local communities, thereby minimising environmental impact. The platform also allows homeowners to monetise their spare rooms by renting them out to international students, tourists, and professionals. The accommodations often include amenities such as private bedrooms and shared living spaces, providing a home-like environment. In addition to accommodation, they provide health insurance options, airport transportation and more to help create stress-free homestay experiences from start to finish. Homestay.com also offers support and assistance through their help center for any queries or issues related to the homestay sign up or booking process. The platform aims to provide true value for money by offering an authentic experience in real homes with local hosts.

Homestay Pros & Cons

Pros of Homestay.com:

  • Cultural Immersion: Homestay.com offers the opportunity to experience local culture by living with a host family, which can lead to meaningful interactions and a deeper understanding of the host country's customs and way of life.
  • Affordable: Homestay accommodations can be less expensive compared to other forms of accommodation, as they often include amenities like food and laundry services.
  • Language Learning: Living with a host family can facilitate language learning, as you are immersed in the local language and culture.

Cons of Homestay.com:

  • Safety Concerns: There are reports of hosts behaving in a controlling or verbally abusive manner, which can create a hostile environment for guests.
  • Unpredictable Experience: The quality of the stay can vary significantly depending on the host family, with some experiences being described as unbearable due to strict rules and lack of privacy.
  • Customer Service Issues: There have been instances where the website's customer service was unhelpful, and refunds were not provided despite problematic situations.
  • Variability in Hosts: The platform does not verify hosts, which can lead to safety concerns and unpredictable experiences.

Important Note: While Homestay.com offers the potential for cultural immersion and affordability, the safety and quality of the experience can vary significantly based on the host family. It is crucial to exercise caution and thoroughly research the host before booking.

Homestay Coupon & Discount Codes

Bring Many Needed Items Home Starting from Only $43

Verified 5 days ago1020 Uses
GREATOFFER

Book Tokyo Host Tomoko starting from $36

Verified 6 days ago800 Uses
GREATOFFER

Sign up to day and get the insider travel tips Inspiration, homestay recommendations and Homestay coupon

Verified 2 days ago2080 Uses
GREATOFFER

Homestay Customer Reviews (13)

Sort by: Most recent
  • Most recent
  • Oldest
Rating: All
  • All
  • 5 stars
  • 4 stars
  • 3 stars
  • 2 stars
  • 1 star
Hazel Debusk
Hazel Debusk
verifyVerified Buyer

Feb 14, 2023
Marguerite Lefèbvre
Marguerite Lefèbvre
verifyVerified Buyer

Feb 14, 2023
Walter Beneventi
Walter Beneventi
verifyVerified Buyer

Feb 14, 2023
Terry Sontag
Terry Sontag
verifyVerified Buyer

Feb 14, 2023
Adone Lori
Adone Lori
verifyVerified Buyer

Feb 13, 2023
Maddison Austin
Maddison Austin
verifyVerified Buyer

Feb 13, 2023
Ray Allaire
Ray Allaire
verifyVerified Buyer

Feb 12, 2023
Kyle Redding
Kyle Redding
verifyVerified Buyer

Feb 12, 2023
Ryan Edwards
Ryan Edwards
verifyVerified Buyer

Feb 10, 2023
Lorie Underwood
Lorie Underwood
verifyVerified Buyer

Feb 10, 2023

Homestay Customer’s Q&A

user-name
no-comment
No question yet

Homestay Features and Benefits

Key Features and Benefits of Homestay.com:

  1. Unique Cultural Experience:

    • Cultural Immersion: Guests can experience local customs, traditions, and daily life by staying with a host who lives in the community.
  2. Personalized Interaction:

    • Host Interaction: Guests can build meaningful personal connections with their hosts, who provide insider tips and assistance during the stay.
  3. Affordable Accommodation:

    • Cost Effectiveness: Homestays are often less expensive than hotels or rental apartments, including utilities and sometimes meals and laundry services.
  4. Language Learning:

    • Language Practice: Guests can practice speaking a foreign language in a real-time environment, improving their proficiency and confidence.
  5. Instant Accept Feature:

    • Convenience: The Instant Accept feature allows guests to book a homestay immediately, saving time and effort for both guests and hosts.
  6. Local Knowledge:

    • Host’s Local Knowledge: Hosts provide guests with local knowledge, helping them see beyond the usual tourist trail and experience the authentic side of the place.
  7. Customizable Amenities:

    • Tailored Amenities: Homestays often offer customizable amenities such as home-cooked meals and personalized services, catering to individual preferences.
  8. Global Reach:

    • Wide Availability: Homestay.com offers a selection of over 63,000 rooms in over 176 countries, providing a global accommodation option.

Homestay Pricing

Homestay.com Pricing:

  • Room Pricing:

    • Nightly: The price is for a 1-night stay.
    • Weekly: The system calculates the average nightly room price based on the weekly price divided by 7 nights.
    • Monthly: The system calculates the average nightly room price based on the monthly price divided by 30 nights.
  • Booking Fee:

    • Guests pay a 15% booking fee to Homestay.com to secure the booking (maximum of 250 $£€ for longer term bookings).
  • Payment Methods:

    • The booking fee can be paid using various methods such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, Laser, JCB, and PayPal.
  • Payment to Host:

    • The total price of stay is paid directly to the host, either on arrival or in advance, as specified by the host.

About Homestay.com Payment Method?

On Homestay.com, once a host confirms availability, a 15% booking fee is paid to secure the booking (maximum fee of 250 $£€) using a choice of payment methods. These methods include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, Laser, JCB & PayPal. Some hosts avail of the Deposit payment option where a 25% deposit of the price of stay is paid in advance at the time of booking. This deposit payment is transferred to the host directly, if cancellation occurs less than 7 days in advance. For a refund of this deposit payment, cancellation must be made at least 7 full days prior to arrival. The balance of the price of stay is paid to the host on arrival or as stated by the host on their profile and agreed by the guest on booking. Each host should inform the guest how they would like to be paid, for instance by cash, bank transfer, PayPal or another payment method. It is strongly advised that if a guest is asked for part or full payment of accommodation prior to arrival, they should contact the Homestay Support Team BEFORE actioning any payment. The total accommodation cost owed is paid directly to the host, either on arrival or in advance. The host will let the guest know how they want to receive the balance when the booking has been confirmed. The online booking fee is currently charged in either EUR €, GBP £ or USD $. The outstanding amount is paid to the host in the host’s local currency.

Homestay FAQs

FAQ

Homestay Alternatives

Based on the provided sources, here are the top 10 homestay.com alternatives:

  1. Homestayin.com - Similar to homestay.com, with a focus on international exchange and host families.
  2. Homestayweb.com - Another platform for finding host families and exchange students.
  3. Likibu.com - Offers dorms, hostels, and coworking spaces for students and travelers.
  4. Dorms.com - Specializes in safe student accommodations and cheap hostels.
  5. Homestaykorea.com - Provides online bookings for backpacker hostels and offers city guides.
  6. Hostelworld.com - A popular platform for booking various types of student accommodations and hostels.
  7. Gomfy.com - Helps find student housing and residences at the lowest possible price.
  8. VRBO.com - Offers entire homes and apartments for rent, with a focus on extended stays.
  9. HomeToGo.com - A metasearch engine for vacation rentals, offering a wide range of listings from various providers.
  10. Plum Guide - Curates high-end vacation rentals, ensuring only the best properties are listed.

These alternatives offer a variety of options for finding homestays and student accommodations, catering to different needs and preferences.

FAQ

How To Open A Homestay Account?

To open an account on Homestay.com, follow these steps:

  1. Log on to the Homestay.com website.
  2. Click on 'Become a Host' at the top right side of the page.
  3. Sign up directly using a Facebook profile or enter name, surname, phone number, email address, and password.
  4. Accept the Terms and Conditions and click on 'Create Account'.
  5. Follow the 7 step wizard making sure to provide accurate information about the house, family, location, rules, and upload photos, especially of the bed and room.
  6. The support team will review the profile and notify by email if it is completed correctly and ready to be set live. If there is something missing, they will go back explaining the best way to improve the listing to become a host.

Once the profile is in tip-top shape, start to receive requests and be ready to make online bookings. As a host, set and manage own rates, availability, and requests from potential guests. Changes in the profile can be made from the Homestay.com account. Note: Each section should be completed before going back and editing any information in the profile. It’s free to create an account on Homestay.com. Homestay.com welcomes people from everywhere in the world to become a host. The platform is all about the host being present during the guest’s homestay experience to make it as local and unique as possible. So, if having one or more spare rooms, simply become a host by registering the details.

FAQ

What are the benefits of using Homestay.com?

Homestay.com offers travelers a unique and immersive cultural experience, as well as the opportunity to connect with locals and learn about their way of life. Homestay.com can also be a more affordable accommodation option than hotels or vacation rentals
FAQ

What is the cancellation policy for Homestay.com?

The cancellation policy for Homestay.com can vary depending on the host and type of accommodation. It's important for travelers to carefully read the cancellation policy before booking.
FAQ

What is the payment process for Homestay.com?

Travelers can pay for their homestay accommodations through Homestay.com using a credit card or PayPal. The payment is held in escrow until the traveler checks in, and then released to the host.
FAQ

Can I request specific accommodations or preferences through Homestay.com?

Yes, travelers can often request specific accommodations or preferences, such as dietary restrictions, smoking preferences, or pet-friendly accommodations. It's important to communicate these requests with the host before booking.
FAQ

Homestay.com Return Policy?

Homestay.com allows guests to cancel a booking before arrival. However, the booking fee paid at the time of booking is non-refundable as per the terms and conditions agreed upon booking. If the host must cancel the booking, the booking fee will be refunded. For any issues with the accommodation or the host, contact must be made with Homestay Technologies Limited within 48 hours after check-in-date for a refund of the booking fee to be considered. Failure to make contact within this timeframe means a review into the issue cannot be undertaken.

If any balance owed has been paid directly to the host in advance of arrival, this cancellation is subject to the cancellation terms stated on the host profile and agreed upon booking. If the host cancels a booking on behalf of the guest, the Homestay.com booking fee is non-refundable as per the terms and conditions agreed upon booking a homestay.

Some hosts offer a Deposit Payment option. For these hosts, 25% of the booking price and the booking fee must be paid to confirm the booking. For a refund of this deposit payment, cancellation must be made at least 7 full days prior to arrival. If cancellation occurs less than 7 days in advance, the 25% deposit payment is made to the host 2 business days after the scheduled arrival date. However, the booking fee is non-refundable.

As for a shipping policy, no relevant information was found. Homestay.com is a platform for booking accommodations with local hosts, and as such, a shipping policy may not be applicable.

FAQ

Are there any additional services offered by Homestay.com?

Homestay.com offers a range of services. It connects host families with students and independent travellers looking for accommodation. The platform provides the opportunity to live with a local and truly discover the destination. It offers a wide selection of rooms for both long and short term accommodation. Hosts can monetise their spare room by renting it out to international students, tourists, and professionals. The platform promotes sustainable local tourism by ensuring spending stays within local communities. Additionally, it provides support and answers to any questions about the homestay sign up or booking process. Hosts can also request an additional deposit, which must be made explicit in their profile.

FAQ

How do I contact Homestay.com support?

For booking or guest enquiries, or if further assistance is needed after making a booking, the contact email is support@homestay.com. For host enquiries, the contact email is hosts@homestay.com. For partner enquiries, the contact email is partners@homestay.com. For general enquiries, the contact email is info@homestay.com. The Homestay.com Head Office can be reached at phone number +353 (0)1 6753010. The office is located at 77 Camden Street Lower, D02 XE80, Dublin 2, Ireland. Remember, Homestay.com is a global website that lets you book accommodation in a local person’s home for an authentic travel experience.

FAQ

How do I become a host on Homestay.com?

To become a host on Homestay.com, follow these steps:

  1. Log on to the Homestay.com website.
  2. Click on 'Become a Host' at the top right side of the page.
  3. Sign up directly using your Facebook profile or enter your name, surname, phone number, email address and password.
  4. Accept the Terms and Conditions and click on 'Create Account'. By accepting the conditions, you agree that you are living in the property.
  5. Follow the 7 step wizard making sure that you are providing accurate information about your house, your family, your location, your rules and, last but not least, upload the greatest photos of all you mentioned, especially the bed and room.
  6. The support team will carefully review your profile and notify you by email if it is completed correctly and ready to be set live. If there is something missing, they will go back to you explaining the best way to improve your listing to become a host.
  7. Once your profile is in tip-top shape, you'll start to receive requests and be ready to make online bookings. As a host you set and manage your own rates, availability and requests from potential guests. You can also make changes in your profile from your own Homestay.com account.

Remember, it's free to create an account on Homestay.com and they welcome people from everywhere in the world to become a host. Their platform is all about the host being present during the guest’s homestay experience to make it as local and unique as possible. So, if you have one or more spare rooms, you can simply become a host by registering your details with them. Good luck!

Explore Similar Stores

See All Stores
store-name

Bloomingdales

(4 / 5)Add rating
Dresses
Socks
store-name

Naturalizer

(4 / 5)Add rating
Clothing & Shoes
store-name

Calendars

(4.5 / 5)Add rating
Office Products
Calendars
store-name

Vince Camuto

(5 / 5)Add rating
Clothing & Shoes
Sandals
store-name

Pep Boys

(4.5 / 5)Add rating
Brakes
Batteries
store-name

The Shelving Store

(5 / 5)Add rating
Furniture
Storage
store-name

Microsoft Store

(4 / 5)Add rating
Windows
Desktop Computers
store-name

Kenneth Cole

(5 / 5)Add rating
Fitness
Bags