A Compliment last night.

[Marie8425]

I rent bedrooms in a shared home that I live.  I have up to four guests at a time.  The Guests don't know each other.

They are contract workers so usually working 12 hours  when they come home every night, they know each other but they aren't hanging out.

Before I go to bed, I check all my exterior locks on my phone.  The lock report shows all my locks,  Everyone was a sleep.  Three bedrooms in use last night.  Nobody locked their bedroom door.

Wow

[Elisa]

Hi @Marie8425 

Thank you for sharing this in the community. This is a great satisfaction! 😍

You are doing such a great job with your guest. They feel definitely at home at your place. 

I am wondering if other Hosts like, @Guy991 @Zheng49 and @Robin4 had a similar situation where a guest felt at home in their place.

I look forward to reading your comments!

Warm regards🌻,

[Guy991]

Hello @Marie8425 , @Elisa ,

It’s indeed a great pleasure for a host to know that guests feel comfortable and safe, with all their basic needs met. We also have a few units within a house, but they’re more like suites with private kitchens and bathrooms. most of my guests are digital nomads, so they’re all over the place during the day—some working at the communal dining table and others outside on the sunbeds. It’s actually inspiring to see them in the garden with their coffee and laptops. During the day, most of them leave their doors open, not even closed. At night, the doors are closed and, I assume, locked, although I don’t really know, as we still use old-style keys and locks.

[Elisa]

Hello @Guy991 😊

I really appreciate your comment. It’s so interesting to see how every host’s experience is unique, but guests often have a similar positive stay.

Do your guests enjoy getting to know each other and spending time together during the day? The common area you’ve created seems to encourage socialization! 😍

Warm regards🌻,

[Marie8425]

@Elisa @Guy991 

That is why I felt complimented, they say hi to each other but because of work schedules they don't have time to bond.  I felt complimented that it displayed trust in who I approved as guests.

I make a connection with everyone before approving.  In a friendly manner I encourage communication with me.  The doors unlocked while the guests were sleeping said the guests felt a connection with me and trusted that I had a connection with the other two guests.

[Elisa]

Hi @Marie8425 😊

You have a very interesting approach!

I'm really curious, how do you connect with guests before approving them?

Do you chat with them via DM? What do you ask to build that connection?

Warm regards🌻,

[Marie8425]

@Elisa 

My Aloha Spirit Haha.  My most recent new guest, just chatting gives me a lot of insight to a persons true self.  Yes, I want to know if a good fit but it doesn't have to be approached negatively.  I don't want to interact with defensiveness.  Most of my guests are specialists for construction projects, Arizona because of temperatures the work schedule usually starts at 5 am so obviously the house is quiet very early.  I will ask do you have a predawn schedule because our house really caters to you then.  Arising at b4 am is not uncomfortable worrying about being quiet.  Then I just chit chatted about grocery stores, which also says to me probably a guest that cooks his own meals.  When he arrive I make sure to take time when showing him the kitchen.  Then we chit chatted about Hawaii, he has a friend that lives there.  That tells me he is able to just converse with a stranger, me.  That to me says a person that can just chit chat with a stranger, a guest, without causing or presenting discomfort.

Conversation tells me about the person but also tells him who I am.  We aren't adversaries before he comes.

He knows the other 2 guests weren't presented a questioner.  The other 2 guests are people, so similar to me, the guest.

[Elisa]

@Marie9 That's so impressive! 

You definitely know a lot about your future guests this way. 😍

Do you have this approach with all guests, or just when someone doesn’t seem suitable?

Warm regards🌻

[Marie8425]

@Elisa 

Especially because shared housing all guests are encourage to communicate and develop a minor connection.  If they won't communicate I decline.  Certain rooms have shared baths they share the kitchen the laundry room.  Being able to communicate doesn't eliminate all problems.  If one guest just forgets clothes in the dryer everyone is able to just communicate I want to use the dryer.  Everything isn't a war lol.  I don't need more kids I have plenty Haha.

[Elisa]

@Marie8425 😊

This is a great approach to avoid bad situations!

You should write a post in the community about this, I think other Hosts could be inspired by it.

Let me know! 😍

Warm regards 🌻

[Guy991]

Hello @Elisa @Marie8425 ,

Indeed, the communal spaces were designed to encourage socialization. We also decided to have just one coffee machine in the communal area, rather than in the suites, to give guests another excuse to gather in one place. However, my guests tend to keep to themselves and respect each other's space. Even with a full house, the atmosphere remains quiet and professional.

This led me to my next idea: a petite aperitif on Thursdays with me. I invite all my guests to join me for a bottle of wine and some nibbles at 7 PM in the garden. That worked much better, as it gave my guests the opportunity and permission to start conversations with each other. Otherwise, they are often too polite and professional to initiate.

[Elisa]

@Guy991 

I love the aperitif idea! 😍

What food and drinks would you like to offer? Are you thinking about charging the guests for this?

I feel you, I think it would be a great plot for a Woody Allen movie!

By the way, I believe it can easily happen if it's meant to be. 👀

Warm regards, 🌻

[Guy991]

Hello @Elisa,

I’m not charging the guests for that. I’m inviting them, and it’s my pleasure. My only request is that they bring the empty wine glasses from their suites. This signals that it’s a very friendly and casual gathering.

I hope it will happen one day, that two guests will meet in my house and start a meaningful relationship. That would be a story for the Festival of Hospitality 2026!

[Elisa]

Hi @Guy991 😊

Yes, it’s definitely friendly and casual, but also so charming and feels just like home!

That would be fantastic. 😍

Please don’t hesitate to let us know!

Warm regards🌻,