FAQs
How do I become an OmStays member?
Members join OmStays via the website’s Join page.
What does an OmStays membership cost and how would I pay?
Your annual membership dues are paid using your credit card via a secure payment process. OmStays offers three levels of membership.
Membership with OmStays is individual (one person) and dues are on an annual basis based on the following three tiers:
- Yoga Students: $35 per year
- Certified Yoga Instructors: $35 per year
- Yoga Studios: $35 per year
What does an OmStays membership include?
Access to an exclusive online community of like-minded yogis seeking to deepen their practice of yoga through the interactive, affordable and eco-friendly option of a homestay.
Yoga Instructors receive the added benefit of listing their classes on the Calendar, while studio owners can add classes to the Calendar and add their studio to the Yoga Studio Directory.
What is Gratitude as Attitude?
Guests greet their hosts with a thank-you gratuity of $15.00 per night, upon arrival.
A gracious way to pay your gratuity to your host upon arrival is to place your cash into a thank-you card or envelope. Some members choose to also bring the host a small, inexpensive gift; such gestures of appreciation and friendship are encouraged, but not required.
What about additional Guests?
Additional OmStay members arriving with another OmStay member guest pay an additional gratuity of $15.00 per night, per guest. Note: Traveling members must confirm acceptance with the host of any additional guests prior to their stay.
How do I arrange an OmStay?
1. Log in to the OmStays Directory at www.omstays.com
2. Find potential host members in the OmStays Directory by searching your destination area.
3. Within that area, select a member who seems like a good match for you.
4. Contact that member to arrange your stay. When you arrange a stay, be sure to exchange phone numbers and get the actual street address of your host.
How does OmStays monitor their members?
When OmStays members are Guests or Host, they are encouraged to submit a private feedback form of their stay. The feedback form allows the member to rate their Guest or Host experience with another member as “positive,” “neutral,” or “negative,” and leave details explaining their experience. This feedback goes only to OmStays administrators; it is not displayed on a member’s profile. The feedback you submit to us on your Guest or Host experience with another member may be shared with other members upon request, but your feedback submissions will never be associated with your name. If you, as a Guest or Host, ever wish to know of prior feedback on another member from their past Host or Guest experiences, please contact OmStays via phone or email and inquire if any past feedback is available.
If two “negative” feedback reports on a member (as either Guest or Host) are submitted, that member will be notified, keeping the source of complaint confidential, and on the third complaint his/her membership will be reviewed. Misuse of OmStays will result in immediate cancellation of membership. Examples of misuse include: sharing the confidential Directory listings with someone who is not an OmStays member and using the Directory for any purpose other than making arrangements for yoga travel and homestays (i.e. email “spamming” or attempting to use the Directory as a dating service).
What security measures does OmStays provide?
OmStays has built in some safety measures to verify our members' names and addresses so you know that fellow members are who they say they are. When a member joins, they must pay membership dues using their credit card, and we ensure that the name of a member matches the name on the card.
When a member is arranging a guest or host experience with another member, they should use their best judgment. Members usually speak with one another by telephone or email several times before the actual OmStay. Members should only host when they feel comfortable and when it is convenient. If a host wishes, they may request to see a guest’s identification for verification purposes (such as a driver’s license or passport). However, this is not required. It’s a good idea to make this request in advance so that the guest has it ready for verification upon arrival.
What are general Host responsibilities?
As a Host, you provide a clean, comfortable place for your guests to stay, serve breakfast, and acquaint your Guest with the area through travel advice or accompanying your Guest on an outing.
What are some things to keep in mind?
1. Reservations made more than a month in advance are always “Tentative”. Unforeseen events can take a person away from one’s daily routine. Please realize that emergencies can and do happen; if a member cannot host at the last minute, one may have to find an alternate Host.
2. Keep the lines of communication open. The day before you arrive, call your host and confirm your arrival time.
3. Upon arrival, present your gratuity to your host. An easy way to do this is to put the gratuity in a thank-you card.
4. OmStays is based on yogic principles: Members act as both Guest and Host in order to create a successful and reciprocal traveling yoga community. When you are a Guest, please show the same consideration and courteousness that you would expect from a Guest in your own home.
Disclaimer
All arrangements for accommodations are done between OmStays members. Neither OmStays LLC, nor any of its officers or employees may be held responsible or liable for the actions of any OmStays member, or the consequences of those actions.
Confidentiality Provisions
The personal information in the OmStays Directory is supplied by each of the club members, and should be treated as confidential by all other members. This information is exclusively for use by OmStays members in arranging for lodging. Any other use of this information, including e-mail spamming, is strictly prohibited, and will result in immediate dismissal from OmStays. Disclosure of any personal member information to a third party will constitute a breach of the confidentiality agreement, will result in dismissal, and may also be subject to legal action by any harmed member. Disclosure or unauthorized use of any internet sign-on information or passwords created by a member or supplied by OmStays will result in immediate termination of the offending party’s membership, and will be subject to legal action.
Any information submitted to OmStays will be held in strictest confidence, and this information will not be disclosed, sold, or rented to any other entity outside of OmStays.
