Community-based travel is one of the most rewarding ways to see the world. Not only do you get to experience a new place, but you get to step into someone else's world while doing it. You get to live in their neighbourhood, understand their routines, explore their favourite spots, and see the world from a completely different perspective. The connections you make during the stay can last long after your booking ends.
However, community-based travel works differently than traditional hotel or short-term rental stays. Your host isn't a service provider, concierge, or cleaner. They're a real person who's decided to open their home to you because they believe you share something in common: community, values, beliefs, or something more. That changes the dynamics, but for the better.
If you're new to community-based travel, this guide will help you show up as the kind of guest hosts love to welcome back — and arrive with the mindset to make the most of it.
Before you start your community-based travel journey, you'll need to put a little more work in than you normally would with a hotel or hostel — by being open, honest, and communicative with your host from the beginning. You won’t regret it.
, a solo traveler and StayingBee guest, frames it like this: "I want to be less of a tourist and more of a visitor — someone who can really deep dive into the life of a city." Choosing your stay with intention is the first step toward that.
- Read your host's profile properly. Check out their bio, their interests, what languages they speak, and whether there's something that will instantly connect you.
- Make bookings intentionally. If it's your first stay, book a place that feels right and ticks all the boxes.
- Introduce yourself meaningfully. Open communication from the beginning helps build trust. Be honest about who you are, your expectations, your travel plans, and what's drawn you to their space.
- Confirm the practical details early. Your arrival time, their address, check-in instructions, and anything else you need to sort out before your arrival.
- Be honest about your plans. Do you need a quiet space to work or have an early morning flight? Let your host know ahead of time so they can work with you.
- Trust the process. If you're feeling nervous about staying with someone new, know that every StayingBee member goes through a verification process. mentions that: "StayingBee's community verification process added an extra layer of trust and gave me the assurance that my host had good intentions."
- Don't send a generic booking request. Give your host some insight into who you are and what you're looking for — it makes it much easier for them to say yes with confidence.
- Don't make assumptions about what's fair game. Just because your host has offered to share their space doesn't mean everything in it is available to you. Always ask before using something, especially if it's not mentioned in the listing.
- Don't go silent after booking. If your flight is delayed or your plans change, let your host know as soon as possible so they can plan accordingly too.
Be a good sport. Lean into the community stay and get to know your host and the place they call home. Be open, positive, and above all, grateful. It takes a lot of trust to open your home to someone new.
- First impressions count. Greet your host warmly and go in with a positive attitude. It sets the tone for everything that follows.
- Be open and personable. Get to know your host and share a bit about yourself. You chose a community stay for a reason — lean into it.
- Respect your host's space. Tidy up after yourself, follow the house rules, and treat the space the way you'd want someone to treat yours.
- Respect their privacy and boundaries. We all need time to unwind. Be mindful of when your host needs space and give it to them without taking it personally.
- Ask for local recommendations. This is your chance to get insider knowledge about a city that you'd never find online. Your host is the best resource.
- Don't disappear into your room for the whole stay. As puts it: "I don't want awkward situations where you arrive, sleep, and leave without ever connecting." Neither do we. A community stay only works if you show up for the community part.
- Don't treat your host like hotel reception. They'll be glad to help where they can, but remember — this is about connection over convenience.
- Don't ignore the house rules. If your host has asked you to remove your shoes or keep noise down after certain hours, respect it. Their home, their rules.
Even though your stay has come to an end, that doesn't mean the experience or the connection has to. Take time for some final housekeeping, thank your host, and leave an honest review. A positive ending keeps the community thriving for you, your host, and every traveler who comes after you.
- Leave the place clean and tidy. If asked, strip the bed, wash up, and take your rubbish with you before you leave.
- Write an honest review. Reviews help future guests and hosts make informed decisions. Take five minutes to share what was special about your stay. Offer constructive feedback if something could be improved.
- Stay in touch if it felt right. Some of the best StayingBee connections don't end at checkout. If you made a real connection, keep it going — follow up, stay in touch, and try to meet again.
- Pay it forward. If you had a great experience, tell people about it. The more people understand what community-based travel really feels like, the better it gets for everyone.
- Don't leave without saying goodbye. Even if you have an early checkout, leave a note or send a message to thank your host. End on a warm, friendly note.
- Don't skip the review. Hosts rely on reviews to attract future guests and keep their profile visible. It only takes a few minutes and it matters more than you think.
- Don't leave anything behind. Whether that's belongings, rubbish, or any unpaid balances — don't let your host clean up after you.
The real secret to being a great StayingBee guest won’t be found in any checklist or do’s and don’t list like this. It’s actually much simpler: show up with a giving mindset.
As Alex, one of our community members and StayingBee guests, puts it: "The secret to life is giving. Go into the experience with a giving mode — offer your host positive energy, gratitude, and your authentic self."
Reciprocity is what keeps community-based travel going. When you trade your expectations for appreciation, your mindset shifts. You let yourself be open to what a stay could be, rather than what you expected it to be. With that mindset, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Community-based travel works when both sides bring something real to the table. Be the kind of guest you'd want to host — and see how the world of travel opens up.
and connect with a community that already shares your values.
