A guesthouse is a small house or building where visitors can stay, separate from the main house on a property. Think of it like a mini-hotel on someone's land: it has its own entrance, usually a bedroom and bathroom, and sometimes a small kitchen. When grandparents visit for a week, they might stay in the guesthouse instead of squeezing into the main house with everyone else.

Families with guesthouses can offer privacy to visitors while still keeping them close by. A guesthouse might be a cottage in the backyard, an apartment over the garage, or a converted barn. Some people rent out their guesthouses to travelers, similar to how hotels work but more home-like and personal.

The word can also refer to a small hotel or boarding house, especially in other countries. In England or South Africa, for example, a guesthouse might be a cozy place where travelers pay to stay, somewhere between a hotel and someone's home. The owner usually lives on the property and may serve breakfast to guests each morning.