Video Call

Here at Homestay.com, we know that people are what make homestays so fantastic...hosts and guests sharing unique experiences together. We also know that great communication is the foundation of a great homestay experience, which is why we launched Video Call to help make it as easy as possible for our hosts and guests to communicate with each other.

What is Video Call?

This exciting new feature allows you to make video calls and voice calls before and after a booking is completed. It offers you an opportunity to break the ice, ask questions face to face and feel completely comfortable accepting a request or making a booking.

Why would I use Video Call?

Relationships matter in homestays and speaking by video to a person allows you to build rapport with your host or guest and break the ice in advance of the stay. It can also be a more efficient way to find out all the information needed before accepting a request or making a booking.

Do I have to pay to use video call?

No, using video call on Homestay.com is free and eliminates the need for expensive international phone calls.

How does it work?

Once you make a request to a host or receive a request from a guest, just follow the links in your email or SMS notifications, and on the messaging page you will see the option to ‘Video Call’ or ‘Voice Call’. You will also see if the person is online to receive a call, or when they were last online. The guest must always complete the booking on Homestay.com. Video calling requires you to be logged into your account as a guest or host. If you don’t have an account you can sign up at any stage while on the site.

What is the difference between video call and voice call?

Video calling allows the other person to see you once they join the call. Voice calling means you are just speaking with the other person but they can’t see you unless you switch your video on.

What do I need technically to use video call?

• Good internet connection is important for video calls. Try to ensure you have a strong Wi-Fi signal before calling. You could try a ‘wired’ connection by plugging your computer directly into the router.
• Make sure your microphone and camera are turned on and that your speakers (or headphones) are plugged into your computer if using them.
• When you make a call you will be asked to ‘Allow Homestay.com use your camera and microphone for Video Calls.’ Click Allow or Enable.
• Our Video Call feature is supported by the following browsers only: Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Internet Explorer 9, 10, 11. Use the latest version of one of these for the best calling experience. (If you are a Safari user on a Mac it's best to download the latest version of Chrome as Safari does not support our Video Call feature)

Do I have to use Video Call?

We recommend you give it a try to see how helpful it can be when arranging a stay. However, we also understand it's not for everyone. If you are a host on Homestay.com and don't want to use the new Video Call feature or don't have a webcam, please let us know at hostsupport@homestay.com and we will switch the feature off in your profile. If you change your mind at any stage and would like to try it, we can switch it back on for you.