”Andra Enache has lived in Romania, Italy, Costa Rica, and now London — and she knows that home is defined by the people in it. In her first StayingBee hosting experience, she welcomed a fellow AIESECer into her home and walked away with a new connection, a great story, and a reminder of why community-first travel matters.”
When Andra Enache first came across StayingBee via LinkedIn, the concept immediately caught her attention. As someone who has lived in Romania, Italy, Costa Rica, and now London, Andra knows better than most what it means to build a home somewhere new. For her, home isn't defined by four walls — it's defined by people.
That philosophy shapes everything about how she hosts. She's not interested in renting a room, but actually connecting with the people walking through her door. StayingBee's community-first model, where guests and hosts are already linked through shared networks, made it an easy decision to join.
Her first hosting experience was everything she hoped it would be. She ended up hosting a fellow AIESECer that she knew of, but never had the chance to meet, which made the experience even more personal. Before the stay, they chatted through Whatsapp and Andra shared helpful information about navigating London’s transport system and finding her home. When her guests arrived (a couple), she made sure she was home to greet them, and immediately felt like she was catching up with an old friend. Throughout the stay, she made sure her guests felt completely at home by sharing useful details about her house, giving them their own keys, and keeping her weekend free to be present.
To her, it's that level of support that sets StayingBee apart. It's not just handing over your keys and saying "see ya!" — it's giving guests a little bit more, whether that's directions, recommendations, or helping them plan their trip like only a local can.
The highlights? Morning coffee chats and evening talks with her guests and her partner, which she describes as wholesome. They've stayed in touch since, following each other on Instagram and leaving the door open to meet again.
Andra summed up the whole experience in one word: connection.
On the question of safety and trust, she was honest. Handing over her house keys still meant letting go of a little control, but StayingBee's built-in request and chat process helped put her at ease. As she puts it:
You're not really hosting strangers — you're hosting people who already share your values.
Being able to speak with guests before approving a stay, understanding why they wanted to visit, and setting clear house rules made all the difference.
So how does StayingBee stack up against other platforms? For Andra, it's in a category of its own. It's the most similar to Airbnb on the surface, but the community layer changes everything. Guests aren't customers and hosts aren't service providers — they're real people opening their homes and their lives.
However, StayingBee isn't for everyone and she’s the first to say so. It's not the right fit if you’re expecting hotel-level services or prefer to keep to yourself. But if you love meeting people, want to share a little of yourself, and value real connection over a transactional stay, it was made for you.
For anyone thinking about becoming a host, her advice is simple: just do it. It's a chance to meet new people, show them your city, help them have a great experience, and make a little extra money along the way.
When asked what makes her home special, Andra says it’s the location. Just outside central London, in 30 minutes you can be taking in the views from the London Eye, while back at home you can enjoy peace and quiet from her back garden. As a host, she believes in opening her home fully, inviting guests to help themselves to coffee, tea, and whatever they need from the kitchen. Her home is your home.
For Andra, what StayingBee is building matters. In a world that can feel increasingly disconnected, combining hosting with genuine community is not just a good idea — it's a great one. Give it a shot and see if it's for you.
Learn more about becoming a StayingBee host and opening your home to someone new.
Andra Enache Originally from Romania, Andra has called London home for six years where she works as Head of HR and is training to become a psychotherapist. She lives with her partner and loves bringing people together — whether that's hosting travelers or organising barbecues for friends and neighbours.
