A local person is contemplating opening a Homestay operation.

Its a nice room detached from the main family home.

It offers ensuite,hot water shower,proper toilet (not squat).

Fan room only

Breakfast,evening meal (Thai food).

Private fishing pond.

The price they are thinking of is Bht 350 a night.

I think it should be nearer Bht 650.a night.

Has anyone any experience of a Homestay,as a guest.

The area is Phitsanulok

Truthfully - in all of Thailand I cannot think of anywhere I'd rather not stay than there........ outside of one temple - not much to offer.....

Truthfully - in all of Thailand I cannot think of anywhere I'd rather not stay than there........ outside of one temple - not much to offer.....

Everyone to their own.

Many people use the town as a stopping off point.

When travelling between Bkk and CM viseversa.

It is also handy for Sukothai.

Depends what you are looking for.

Its not my enterprise so no skin off my nose (so to speak).

But personally speaking its a great place to live.

^{So many factors to consider of course, but I would suggest 500 baht as a reasonable amount per night. 350 baht is more akin to 'dorm' accommodation}

How is the landlord/lady going to advertise?

We do run a small homestay just a couple of double rooms including TV Aircon our bathrooms are

connected to the building and have hot showers of course and western toilets.

We do charge 480 baht per room.

The best place to advertise is hostelworld.com or hostelbookers.com

Now our home stay is not in your area we are down in Ratchaburi

My wife and I stay in PHS twice a year and would be interested in a clean, fairly spacious, secure, quiet and centrally located homestay. There isn't room at the in-laws for both of us so we stay in a local hotel and are here now for our second visit of the year.

What I would say, for us at least, is air-con. I couldn't cope with just a fan and sure that goes for the majority of westerners. My wife is Thai and even she couldn't cope now that she's lived in UK for over four years. A little investment in an air-con unit would undoubtedly be a sales point and the investment could obviously be clawed back through rental including the price of electric.

Personally, we've no requirement for full-board but breakfast is good for us. Okay, the world doesn't revolve around us, but I'm sure you can see what I'm getting at for a foreign visitor.

It would depend on the size of the room, can you hang your clothes somewhere. Without a fridge and tv 650 is to much.

The going rate without food around here is... approx 600baht per day....air/con and fridge. long stay is cheaper of course.

Hope this gives you an idea of prices...

It all depends on what the target audience is and what small investments the landlord is prepared to make.

My wife and I are potential tenants for two semi-annual stays totalling about six-weeks.

Our personal requirements are space, cleanliness - including daily cleaning, a fairly central PHS location, WiFi a bonus, definitely air-con, a tasty Thai breakfast (nothing too flash), a TV and mosquito screens.

For all of the above then I've no problem settling 800+ baht a night dependent on the quality of the accommodation.

If we consider the above detail then a minimum income of 36,000 baht just for me and my wife per annum. Bear in mind that we don't loiter at the property all day and only use the air-con at night.

There's definitely more to consider than just the going rate. The bigger picture is much more interesting in maximising the potential of the property and generating repeat business.

If your friend can appeal to us as customers then they'll definitely appeal to other foreign guests without a doubt.

Edited November 25, 201411 yr by wooloomooloo

10,000 baht per month and pay for electricity used is another option around here.....min stay is looked on as 1month.

In Phitsanalok, an excellent hotel right in the centre with buffet breakfast set me back under 1000B/night (can't remember the exact amount, the hotel closest to the river on the main road that crosses the river where the famous temple is).

A homestay there would be worth 400-1000B, depending on quality of room, furnishings and breakfast.

The lower the price, the more guests they will attract. Why not let them start at 350 baht if they are satisfied with that. Then if they find themselves being booked all the time, they can raise the price.

How is the landlord/lady going to advertise?

A good point.

I have no idea I will ask.

The lower the price, the more guests they will attract. Why not let them start at 350 baht if they are satisfied with that. Then if they find themselves being booked all the time, they can raise the price.

Fair comment.

It would depend on the size of the room, can you hang your clothes somewhere. Without a fridge and tv 650 is to much.

The room is a good size.

It has a fridge,hot water heater,for Milo,coffee,tea,making (sachets supplied)easy chair,wardrobe TV.

Toiletries, Outside seating.

I didn't mention them as I thought they were a given.

My mistake.

Thanks for all the replies,very helpful.

I will pass the info on.

Particularly useful was the adverting site.

Also I was surprised how much importance people put on aircon.

Its something I never use and neither do most Thais locally.

I think the operators will have to give that some serious thought.

I will post their reaction to your comments when I have feedback.

Years ago Pylinn Hotel had an Annex off the main building where they rented very nice cheap accommodation.Worth a Phone call to check.They are on Google.

if they are happy with 350 Baht a night, why do you want them to charge more? A raisoning like yours is what is now wrong with Thailand.

Each to his own but the concept of homestay holds absolutely no appeal for me, so by extension I'd place no value on it.

Even if, as you describe, the room is self-contained and separate, to me there is no appeal in being beholden to an individual or to a family.

Give me a nice anonymous hotel room any time.

We always are looking for places in that area that is dog friendly. If you are able to accept dogs (ouside) that might be a selling point. It is hard to find a hotel that will let you take up a couple of Rots.

I rented a lovely room a while back in that area for 200 Baht a night ( new with TV,Fan,bathroom etc ) I have traveled all over Thailand and the average Thai style room is around 200 to 250 Baht a night ! ( These are standard room prices ) F.J

We run a homestay near Chiang Mai Basic twin room (Fan) with private bathroom and HD-LCD Sat. TV starts at 580 baht breakfast included ( all 2 persons) this room is located in a teakwood house on our premisses other luxury rooms from 760 Baht Double bed HD-LCD TV with True platinum Sat receiver, mini bar private bathroom,air-conditioner till 3 persons twin room apartment 1250 Baht extra person 400 baht all included breakfast.

3 rooms are located in the Teakwood house and 2 rooms in our bungalow here you stay together in the same house with the owners ( the real homestay) all buildings are less than 3 years old in rural Chiang mai size nearly 2 rai.

The homestay is registered.

Edited November 26, 201411 yr by maxisrael

We always are looking for places in that area that is dog friendly. If you are able to accept dogs (ouside) that might be a selling point. It is hard to find a hotel that will let you take up a couple of Rots.

We have cats running around ( to catch the mice from the rice-fields) so here no dogs who might eat our mice catchers................

Edited November 26, 201411 yr by maxisrael

350 for P'lok is plenty. Very little to see or do there, but for a stopover, or to recuperate from overdoing it elsewhere, that sounds about right.

Comparing it to a similar arrangement in CM is silly.

How is the landlord/lady going to advertise?

A good point.

I have no idea I will ask.

Suggest airbnb (I'll let you figure out the www)I think that will be a possible place for advertising such a place.

Edited November 26, 201411 yr by 8OA8

How is the landlord/lady going to advertise?

A good point.

I have no idea I will ask.

Suggest airbnb (I'll let you figure out the www)I think that will be a possible place for advertising such a place.

I believe they only charge the host 3% so quite competitive.

There are a few places to rent on airbnb in PHS already, not many mind you.

I would pay 450 baht incl. breakfast .

Maybe the OP should have used the word guesthouse instead of homestay. Tourists going to a homestay expect to stay with a Thai family and participate in their daily life, working on the land and going to the market with them.

Often the rooms where they stay are quite spartan, sleeping on the floor on a thin picknick mattress, experience the real Thai life.

Edited November 26, 201411 yr by keestha

Plenty of rooms available 200-400 range. 650 for regular fan room is too much.