Guests in a private room Airbnb leaving door open while sleeping??

[Sydney150]

I have a private room Airbnb. Currently I have a guest who is sleeping but didn't close his door. I want to close it for him but idk if it would be inappropriate or invasive on my behalf. His door is right off my dining room and I'm a night owl. I'm going to be making a meal, watching TV, etc. and don't want to disturb him. Also I ha e two cats that will surely make their way into his room at some point in the night and go on the bed more than likely. Maybe he has a thing where he doesn't like to sleep with closed doors but I think it would make his stay better and my own, so I don't worry bout disturbing him. If I close it I think I should send him a message as well to see when he wakes up. I don't want him to assume that I came into his room while he was occupying the space or something horrifying. He's the first guest I've had not close the door. Very strange to me. 

[Anonymous]

@Sydney150  All of your concerns about the open door are valid, especially concerning the cats. But I think you're right that it might not go down well to close the door yourself.

Communication is the best way through this. In the morning when you're both awake, try to gently convey your preference that he shut the door at night, specifically citing the cats' curiosities as a factor. But also check whether the guest had any issues such as temperature or ventilation that still need to be addressed.

If he's truly uncomfortable with closing the door, you have to decide whether you'd rather adapt to it (e.g. retreating to a part of the home you can close off yourself) or persuade the guest to advance his checkout date and move to a home that better suits his needs.

For what it's worth, the door-open thing is unusual but not extraordinarily rare for solo travelers in homestays. It seems that some people just feel more at home that way. But I'd be extra wary if the guest was giving off a sleazy vibe, being inappropriately exposed, or otherwise showing signs of disrespect to your home. 

[Helen3]

Never had a guest do that  in six years and hundreds of guests.  I would say is highly unusual and shows a lack of social awareness.

@Sydney150  I would just have  an informal chat with the guest and ask him to keep it closed 

[Huma0]

@Helen3 

I have also hosted hundreds of guests in my home in the past five years or so and I would say it's actually not that unusual. Most guests do close their bedroom door, but quite a few don't (current guest doesn't).

Like @Sydney150 , I am a home host with private rooms, a night owl and I have THREE cats. Still, some people prefer to sleep with their door open or leave the door open when they go out.

I will occasionally close it (in the latter circumstance, not when they are in the room!) if I feel it necessary, e.g. I know they don't want the cats in their room, or like today when the cleaners were here. Not that the cleaners would go into the room (I just hire them for communal areas and I trust them), but better to be safe than sorry.

I'll just casually mention, "Oh, I noticed your door was open and I closed it to stop the cats getting in."

In @Sydney150 's case, I would follow @Anonymous 's advice and just bring it up in person in a casual, easy going way.

[Sarah977]

@Sydney150  Maybe he's claustrophobic or something. Just casually ask him if he leaves the door open for any particular reason or not, and voice your concerns about waking him up and the cats entering. He may be one of those people who can sleep through a bombing and wouldn't mind the cats in his room at all, in which case if he prefers the door open, I don't see the big deal.

Successful home-sharing is dependent on open communication, not wondering or guessing. 

[Sandra126]

I actually did this once, stayed in a house with a cat. Host warned me,  saying cat would sleep on my bed but if I wanted that, to leave door open. It was a novelty for me to have the furry mess on the bed with me so I left the door slightly open. Cat cuddles! But I agree, talk to your guest. Communication is always best!

[Julia0]

Hi, been around a long time but haven't posted for years! This reminds me of the very early days - 10 plus years- when a male guest left his door wide open.

This door was directly opposite the staircase so when I went up to bed, there he was in "all his glory" , propped up and looking directly at me.  

Luckily for me, my huge German Shepherd dog had crept up behind me and obviously did not like the look of him and went and stood on the threshold emitting a very low growl, ears back....

I said "I'll Close your door as I'm sure you don't want her on your bed....

[Gordon0]

Had a guest a few weeks ago do this. Reminded him my (nutter of a) cat would soon become his worst nightmare if he left the door open. Problem solved. 

I’m actually more perplexed by the noisy efforts people go to as they lock/unlock their door knowing I’m within earshot and my space is wide open…