In hospitality, most guest reservations are now made online — and a large share of those reservations come from platforms like Booking, at a high commission. A good hotel / guesthouse website directs the guest straight to you, keeping that commission in your pocket — and strengthening your brand and guest relationship.
The essentials of a good hotel website
- Direct online booking: Guests should be able to see availability and reserve a room directly from your site — without paying commission to a third-party platform.
- Availability and price calendar: Available rooms and current prices by date should appear instantly.
- Visual emphasis: Rooms, the property, the surroundings — professional photos are the heart of the accommodation decision.
- Multiple languages: For foreign guests, an English (and if needed Arabic/other) version of your site is essential — tourists want to read in their own language.
- Location and amenities: Map, transport and facilities (pool, breakfast, parking) should be clear.
- Mobile-first: Most reservations are made on a phone; the site must be fast and easy on mobile.
OTA commission, or direct booking?
Platforms like Booking provide visibility but take a serious commission on every reservation. On reservations that come through your own site, that share stays with you. The healthiest approach: use platforms for visibility, but build a strong site that draws guests to direct booking. For the online payment side, see How to Build an E-Commerce Website; for booking systems, Custom Web Panel / Automation.
For a website tailored to your hotel/guesthouse — with direct booking and multiple languages — get in touch. Let's plan a site that cuts commissions and brings guests directly to you.