WHAT IS A GUEST HOUSE?

In our language there are several synonyms to refer to the same word. And this happens not only with expressions used on a daily basis, but also with terms applied in areas such as the hotel industry.

The example we bring today is the term “hostel”. Those who believe that the word has a meaning that only those who work in the field understand are wrong, the meaning is more common than you might think!

What is a guest house?
So for those who are wondering, “what is a hostel after all?”, we explain: the term refers to establishments where guests are accepted for a certain price. In other words, hostelry is nothing more than places where people pay to stay!

In this case, hotels, inns, rental houses, hostels, pensions and hostels are considered types of inns.

Origin of guesthouses
Although the term is little used today, it has existed since antiquity. During the Middle Ages, in regions such as Ancient Egypt, India, Greece and Rome, they were essential for pilgrims who followed religious routes, towards, for example, Rome, Santiago de Compostela, or even the Holy Land.

In addition, the inns served to exchange commercially with European cities in the Mediterranean region. The first establishments, managed in an artisanal way, were just rooms that functioned as lodgings and with a large number of beds. In them, not all the guests who shared the accommodations knew each other. (Sounds familiar doesn't it?)

It was in the Roman Empire that the hostellum – term used for this type of accommodation – gained its luxury reputation, as it hosted only the nobles. Throughout history, we see the emergence of some services – such as offering private bathrooms, food and skilled labor -, and later the emergence of accommodation categories.

As a result, we realized that inns grew at each period in history, and today we have different models available for each traveler profile.

Accommodation Means
Means of Accommodation are commercial establishments that carry out the function of receiving and offering accommodation, among other services, to tourists and travelers around the world.

According to the records obtained, it is believed that the first accommodation in history was a large inn built to receive visitors during the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece.

Since then, until the present day, various means of hosting have emerged around the world.

Although there are several types of accommodation, the Ministry of Tourism (Mtur) developed a Brazilian Classification System for Accommodation, the SBClass. The objective of this system, in addition to organizing the hotel sector, is to establish a standard in the country's accommodation services.

According to the SBClass classification, hosting facilities are categorized into 7 types, and vary in categories from 1 to 5 stars, depending on the services offered. The system suggests that the accommodation facilities register with the Mtur, in order to receive an official classification.

Rental houses
Among the various means of accommodation, we are registered as a Rental House. In this category are commercial or residential properties, offered as a stay, mainly in periods of high season.

This accommodation model is the most popular option for families and groups of friends who intend to spend a vacation in a certain city.