"I've never found one myself that I didn't find welcoming." Of course it may just be that I'm insensitive and don't pick up the hostility...

But I think so long as you recognise that you are a guest, and that that means respecting the way people do things and not try to bounce in and take over and show off, it's very rare for newcomers to find anything but a friendly welcome.

That applies to guest and GUESTS.