A guest house is a separate space from a main home that provides accommodations for guests, family members, or even renters. A guest house can range in size from a small 200 square foot studio with a kitchenette to a large two-bedroom, two-bathroom space with a full-sized kitchen, living room, and dining area.

In some parts of the world (such as the Caribbean), a guest house is a type of inexpensive hotel-like lodging. In others, it is a private home that has been converted for the exclusive use of visitor accommodation.

The owner most often lives in the guest house, or on the property in a separate dwelling. Guests can be any age, but some younger travelers prefer the lower prices of hostels. Guests are primarily international travellers - individuals and couples - not large groups, families in general, or large families specifically.

A guest house is a small, separate building on the grounds of a larger building. It always has at least a bedroom area, almost always has its own bathroom, and often has some small kitchen facilities.