Hotel, Guesthouse, or Homestay: What to Consider When Booking Travel Lodging

Before You Book - What To Look For

Building codes, security elements, and accessibility features vary by country and even within countries.

Prioritize housing with fire safety in mind, where doors and windows lock, where you and your belongings are safe, and where you can explore your neighborhood with confidence. You might not find the perfect accommodation, but our guidance can help you make an informed decision.

Location, Location, Location

If possible, book accommodations in well-traveled, walkable, and populated areas near your place of work or study. Look for accessible and reliable access to transportation, medical services, and places to buy food and basic necessities.

Research your neighborhood options and understand the local cultural context. You may need to consider the availability of accessible lodging or laws and norms regarding room-sharing based on gender or marital status. Read country guides and security reports, contact tourist bureaus, and use tools like Google Earth or Google Maps Street View to scope out the surroundings.

Avoid areas with high crime rates and protest activity. If traveling to an area with high risk for conflict or terrorist activity, choose accommodations away from main roads, government buildings, and diplomatic buildings.

Recommendations & Reviews

Ask for lodging recommendations from local contacts and experienced travelers. Remember that travelers’ experiences can vary by the identities they hold, so a place where one traveler felt safe could have a different vibe for someone else.

Thoroughly read online reviews so you understand the amenities, services, resources, and property rules. Avoid properties with few or no reviews.

For extended stays in an unfamiliar location, consider booking a hotel initially so you can scope out your long-term housing options in person.

“Always have hotel and transportation arranged or sorted out before you land (at least the first few days)." – Harvard traveler

Services, Communication, & Payment

Opt for housing with 24/7 guest services. Verify if the property includes a safe, smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher.

Communicate directly with staff through official/verified email addresses and phone numbers, and pay directly through the accommodation’s official website or app.

If arriving late at night or before check-in, communicate directly with staff to notify them of your planned arrival time and arrange an early check-in or extra night’s stay.

Alternatives & Back-Up Plans

Research back-up accommodations so that you have vetted options if something goes awry after you arrive.

If you’re unsure about the availability of safety features, consider bringing a few small safety gadgets with you, such as a battery-operated portable smoke detector, a portable theft-alert alarm, or a door wedge. Our office has a supply of various safety gadgets for Harvard affiliates traveling on University-related trips. Contact us for more information.

Additional Tips for Rentals & Homestays

Beyond the guidance above, consider the following advice if you choose to book shared economy housing through online marketplaces like Airbnb and VRBO.

• Use established online companies with published safety standards for their hosts and properties.
• Each platform uses different terminology, but look for properties rented by verified hosts, super hosts, or premier hosts, or that have a business certification and hotel-like amenities.
• Avoid sharing apartments, bathrooms, or other common spaces with strangers.
• If you must meet a host in person, do so in a public place during daylight and, if possible, have a friend accompany you.

“Definitely contact local people about housing accommodations prior to your arrival. My friend and I lost a lot of money after getting ripped off through an online housing service.” – Harvard traveler

Special Considerations for High-Risk Environments

When traveling to a high-risk location, look for added security measures at your accommodation, such as the following features:

• Perimeter walls of a sufficient height
• Guards stationed at entrances and exits—both the site’s interior and exterior
• Vehicles inspected at entrance and away from main buildings
• Hydraulic ramp operated by a guard and away from main vehicle checkpoints
• Personnel check-ins conducted in purpose-built buildings away from main buildings
• Shatterproof glass on building façades
• Regular site patrols by security guards
• Video surveillance or CCTV throughout

Registration & Arrival - WHAT TO REMEMBER

Once you’ve booked your lodging, remember to update your accommodation in your International SOS registration.

Tell others where you’re staying and how to reach you. Include the address and, if applicable, the host’s name and contact information. Arrange to check in with a family member or friend shortly after your scheduled check-in time at the accommodation.

Consider the following measures depending on your destination, your experience in the location, and your personal feeling of safety and security.

• When you check-in, take note of the building’s security, including how easy it is for non-guests to access the building and whether the first floor has window bars or safety gates.
• Request a room between the 2nd and 6th floors—they’re high enough to mitigate easy break-ins and low enough for most fire truck ladders to reach them.
• Your room number is a matter of personal security. If it’s announced out loud during check-in, request another room.
• Scan your room when you first arrive. Block the door open and check the bathroom, under the bed, and behind any curtains. Check the door and window locks, if the phone works, and if any electronics or wires seem out of place. Look for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Locate emergency evacuation routes and doors.

During Your Stay - How To Stay Safe

While most of this advice is common sense, it’s helpful to review the basics.

• Don’t prop open doors.
• Don’t open your door to strangers. Verify the legitimacy of anyone claiming to be maintenance (or similar) with guest services or your host.
• Keep your doors locked. Use double locks—a deadbolt and a bar-latch or chain lock. Use a doorstop wedge for another layer of security.
• If you don’t have an in-room safe, or it doesn’t seem secure, ask about a hotel safe and coverage for loss; request a receipt for anything you store in a hotel safe.
• Close and lock windows when leaving. In higher risk locations, turn on the TV and a light when you leave the room.
• Assume you don’t have any privacy using your accommodation’s Wi-Fi. If it’s legal in your destination, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to create a more secure connection.
• Report any concerns or suspicious behavior to the staff, host, and/or platform you booked through. If you’re not satisfied, speak up and ask for a different room or change your accommodation.

“Traveling will never go 100% smoothly so don't feel bad when things aren't perfect. The most important things to protect at all costs is your safety and health.” – Harvard traveler

If You Feel Unsafe or Need Help

No matter where you choose to stay, if you feel unsafe for any reason, don’t remain in the accommodation. If you need medical, mental health, or security advice and evacuation support while overseas, call International SOS at +1-617-998-0000 or connect through the Assistance App. Case managers are available 24/7.