Legal Definitions - guest

Definition: A guest is a person who is entertained or to whom hospitality is extended.

In general, a guest is someone who pays to stay in a hotel, motel, or inn for a short time. For example, if you book a room in a hotel for a weekend, you are a guest of that hotel.

A guest can also be a person staying at someone else's residence without charge, called a "social guest." For instance, if you visit a friend and stay at their house for a few days, you are a social guest.

It's important to note that a non-paying guest is not owed the duty of being provided a safe boarding space, as is a paying customer. For example, if a social guest trips on a slippery rug, they have no right to sue for negligence, but a paying guest might.

Another type of guest is an "automobile" guest, which is someone who is a passenger without paying, as distinguished from a taxi fare, bus rider, or one who has paid a friend to drive. However, the so-called "guest statute" may give a non-paying passenger the right to sue. An automobile guest is somewhat (but not entirely) analogous to the "social guest" in a residence.

Examples:

• A paying guest at a hotel
• A social guest staying at a friend's house
• An automobile guest riding in someone's car without paying

The examples illustrate the different types of guests and the situations in which they may be found. A paying guest is someone who has paid for a service, while a social guest is someone who is staying with someone else without paying. An automobile guest is someone who is riding in a car without paying, which is different from someone who has paid for a taxi or bus ride.