Stayhaus Field Guide — No. 03

How Stayhaus works, from first search to front-door key.

Two sides of one ledger: guests looking for places that feel found, and hosts with spaces worth sharing. Here is exactly how each journey unfolds — no fine print, no surprises.

01 / Guests

Book a stay in four moves

  1. 01

    Search like a local

    Filter by city, dates, guests and stay type — city flats, private rooms or countryside retreats. Every listing shows honest nightly pricing before you click.

  2. 02

    Read the ledger

    Each stay carries verified reviews, a full amenity list and monospaced location coordinates, so you know the exact corner of the map you are booking.

  3. 03

    Book with one confirmation

    Secure checkout, instant confirmation, and a message thread with your host. The total you see is the total you pay — cleaning and service fees included upfront.

  4. 04

    Arrive and exhale

    Self check-in or a warm handover at the door. Fresh linen, local recommendations, and support on call for the whole stay.

Morning coffee on a balcony overlooking an old-town street
LIS — 38.72°N / 09.13°W · Alfama, golden hour
02 / Hosts

List your space in four steps

A host handing a key to a guest at the doorway
PAR — 48.85°N / 02.35°E · Key handover, Le Marais
  1. 01

    Tell us about the space

    Address, rooms, sleeping arrangements and what makes it yours. Our listing editor takes about fifteen minutes.

  2. 02

    Set your price and calendar

    We suggest a nightly rate from comparable stays nearby — you keep final say on price, availability and house rules.

  3. 03

    Photograph it honestly

    Natural light, real rooms, no wide-angle tricks. Guests book what they see, which is why our review scores stay high.

  4. 04

    Welcome your first guest

    Payouts land 24 hours after check-in. Our host team and €1M protection cover every booking, start to finish.

03 / Trust

Built-in protection, both directions

Verified identities

Every guest and host confirms ID before the first booking is accepted.

€1M host guarantee

Property damage protection on every stay, at no extra cost to hosts.

Secure payments

Funds are held safely and released to hosts after check-in — never before.

24/7 human support

Real people on the line, in English, German, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

04 / Questions

Asked often, answered plainly

When do I pay for a booking?

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You pay in full at checkout. The money is held securely and released to your host 24 hours after you check in, so both sides are covered.

Can I cancel a stay?

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Each listing shows its cancellation policy before you book — flexible, moderate or firm. Flexible stays refund in full up to 48 hours before arrival.

How much does hosting cost?

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Listing is free. Stayhaus takes a 3% service fee from hosts and a small guest fee shown upfront in the total price. No subscriptions, no hidden charges.

What if something goes wrong during a stay?

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Message your host first — most things are solved in minutes. If not, our support team steps in around the clock, with rebooking or refund options when needed.

Do I need to meet my host in person?

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Only if you want to. Many stays offer self check-in with a lockbox or smart lock; others include a personal welcome and local tips at the door.