Gharvas — Homestays and small guest houses: how a rented | gharvas.com
Six steps in order, from fixing the bed size to writing down the 24–48 hour cancellation deadline — each step names the failure it prevents.
The checklist runs in order, from the physical to the contractual. Each step names the typical failure it prevents — the disputes that fill complaint boxes: the narrow double, the missing dinner, the locked door, the no-show charge, the checkout surprise and the verbal promise.
Step one is the bed: a European single is 90×200 cm, a double 140–160×200 cm and a UK double 135×190 cm — confirm which 'double' the listing means to avoid the narrow-double complaint. Step two is the meal plan: room-only 0, bed and breakfast 1, half board 2, full board 3 meals a day — booking a one-meal rate and expecting dinner is the missing-dinner dispute.
Step three is arrival. Standard check-in runs 14:00–16:00 and homestays are usually unstaffed at night, so any arrival after the window must be agreed with the host in advance — the typical failure is the locked-door arrival.
On narrow screens, swipe or scroll the plate sideways.
Step four is the cancellation clock. Free cancellation ends 24–48 hours before the 14:00 check-in, and a no-show is charged at 100% of the first night — the deadline is tied to the check-in hour, not to midnight.
Step five is the tax line: overnight stays carry 7% VAT in Germany, 10% in France and 8% in Turkey, so check whether the quote shows it — the failure is the checkout surprise. Step six is written confirmation of bed size, meal plan, arrival time and the cancellation deadline — the failure it prevents is the verbal promise no one honours.
For the ten head-to-head differences see /homestay-vs-hotel; to sort homestays from hotels, hostels and guest houses first, start at /types-of-lodging.
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