Living with and like Locals Enriches Cultural Experience; Stylish, Comfortable Accommodations, Friendly, Knowledgeable Hosts, Astonishingly Affordable Rates

NEW YORK, NY, February 23, 2016 – With the lifting of the travel ban to Cuba in 2015, US travelers are flocking to taste a forbidden culture, still preserved in mid-20th century amber, before the tides of modernization rush in. Travelers are finding, however, that the time warp experience comes with a price – a very limited number of hotel rooms. Enter Homestay.com, the online accommodation marketplace where travelers can rent rooms in private homes, with hosts present throughout the stay to ensure their comfort and security while sharing insider knowledge of all things Cuban.

Since its founding in 2013, Homestay.com has grown to 50,000 listings in more than 150 countries – and Havana leads the top 10 most popular cities for US travelers, followed by cities in Asia, Europe and South America. Fortunately for travelers to Cuba, Homestay.com boasts hundreds of rooms throughout the island nation. Mainly concentrated in bustling Havana, they are also found in the artistic enclave of Trinidad and in rural Vinales, where majestic karst domes tower over rolling tobacco fields. As part of the Homestay.com family, these Cuban hosts cater to travelers from all over the world -- couples, families and solo travelers alike. Now, US travelers frustrated by hotel room shortages are discovering Homestay.com as the answer to their prayers.

They are also discovering the perks that come with the personal touch, such as attentive service and prices far below hotel rates. Many hosts go out of their way to arrange airport transfers, tours, visits to attractions, bicycle rentals, restaurant reservations, transportation to other Cuban locales and more. Hosts usually speak several languages, including English. Accommodations, often in renovated colonial buildings, are comfortable and stylish, many with cool tile floors and balconies. Breakfast is always included, and many hosts are happy to provide optional meals.

Hosts at Heart of Cuban Homestay Experience
For Homestay.com travelers, finding the right host is crucial, and Homestay.com makes onscreen searching easy by destination and dates, with filters for desired amenities, catering, pets and hobbies. During the booking process, guests and hosts can get acquainted via the online messaging system that includes a videophone option. Hosts like to know guests' reasons for traveling, age, interests and special requirements to prepare a proper welcome, and guests can get all their questions answered.

In Havana, a search might turn up great homestays such as these and many more:

Maritza and her two daughters, trained engineers all, offer two double rooms with private bath starting at $27 per night in their fully renovated spacious apartment in Havana's Vedado district, a 10-minute walk from the Malecon sea wall. They are into bicycling, football, photography, computer games and mountain biking, and have hosted guests from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand, earning rave reviews on their Homestay.com page:

“I could not have hoped for a better family to stay with. I feel I have made life-long friends and am so grateful for the fantastic memories, meals, conversations, laughter and hugs. I have never before been made to feel so welcome and at home.” Louise, New Zealand

Also in Havana, Pedro's Casa S is just a block from the sea. He and his wife enjoy learning languages, sports and travel. They rent two double rooms with new air conditioning sleeping a total of six in a Spanish colonial house. Artistic and environmentally aware, they offer yoga mats for meditation and asanas. Charges start at $27 per night. They too get rave reviews from their international guests:

“Pedro collected us from the airport which was a great bonus. We were made to feel very welcome and were treated like family. Breakfast was lovely with nice bread, eggs and fruit and plenty of tea and coffee. The beds were very comfortable, always a hot shower and all very clean.” Helen, Ireland

In Vinales, a lovely detached house is hosted by Idaisys, who enjoys gardening, learning languages, baseball, nature and socializing. She offers an air conditioned double room with separate entrance, two big beds and en suite bathroom, starting at $21 per night. Several terraces are available for playing dominos with the family or admiring the garden brimming with orchids and medicinal herbs. The rooftop terrace offers dazzling views of the high mogotes hills by day and the panoply of stars by night. Idaisys is a fount of information about hiking, horse riding, biking, canopy zipline tours, beaches and dance clubs. Her guests always feel that they've gotten the most out of their time in Cuba:

“Our very clean and comfortable room exceeded expectations. We spent an evening on the rooftop terrace with a cold beer admiring the breathtaking Vinales landscape. We would highly recommend Casa Idaisys.” Michael & Aisling, Ireland

Hi-res images of these and many other Cuban properties are available upon request. Interviews with these Homestay Heroes and others can also be arranged.

About Homestay.com                                                                                                                                   
Homestay.com is an accommodation marketplace dedicated to the homestay travel experience, where the host is present for every stay. With more than 50,000 hosts offering places to stay across some 150 countries, Homestay.com enables travelers to stay in the home of a local resident while they are there. Focused as much on people as it is on places, Homestay.com puts hosts at the heart of amazing travel experiences. The company was founded in 2013 by Tom Kennedy, co-founder of HostelWorld.com, and Debbie Flynn, a veteran of the education travel industry. Homestay.com is funded by Delta Partners Ltd.

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Contact: Spring O'Brien
Lauren Kaufman: (212) 402-1611 / laurenk@spring-obrien.com
Jil Krusemann: (212) 402-1675 / jilk@spring-obrien.com