I have travelled twice to meet a man who I got on well with via email/ phone.
In one case we both realised within about ten minutes that things were not going to work out that way. We had a lovely time, no strings attached.

The other still held out hope until the minute I got back on the train - he was quite pestering and despite assuring me in advance that there was a spare room and an empty bed, tried repeatedly (only verbally I admit) to get me into his.

I think the advice the others have given is very sensible. Which I wasn't in my youth! Hotel. At the very least. And I hope it works out, even in friendship terms. My first long distance friendship survived the meeting, although there was much less banter and no flirtation. The second absolutely did not.

Thanks again, all. I've told him that I was planning on getting a hotel room. He was disappointed because he considered us friends - no other reason. He didn't have a tantrum or anything and we are still talking. We skyped the other night, too.

... suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure. ;)