Online Reservation Systems

I am an aspiring innkeeper who wishes to rent an empty room without having to pay a big fee for some online software to keep it in order for me.
I do not wish to pay some outside operator if possible and do not want a no-show to prevent another traveler from reserving a room. Is there any device or way I can do this myself?
Any feedback appreciated.

I don't understand what you mean by "do not want a no-show to prevent another traveler from reserving a room". If someone doesn't show, you don't KNOW they aren't showing until...the next day, really. So how would another traveler reserve the room (as I understand it, you only have that one room to rent)?

Arks said:

I don't understand what you mean by "do not want a no-show to prevent another traveler from reserving a room". If someone doesn't show, you don't KNOW they aren't showing until...the next day, really. So how would another traveler reserve the room (as I understand it, you only have that one room to rent)?.

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I think what she means is how can I make sure they are coming? or at the least that I will be paid for it.
Me I would be in this case if you don't want any online travel agents is a basic diary software and make your policy you pay when you book - weeds out the no shows and if they don't come at least you have the money.

or depends on how many rooms and how you want to take bookings
ie you could have a paper diary and only take bookings over the phone and have something like square which only charges you per money taken if you are a very small or hobby operator - but it depends on your circumstances.
We are 11 rooms - love my (MYUKtravel) software - costs £45 a month - any bookings through my own site are commission free and keeps my Air, Boo in.com and Expe ia bookings lined up all automatically but I can set diary to zero commission for any dates I know I can sell myself so they can book direct but not through anything else easy.
Plus depends on what you consider "expensive software" im in a very busy and every changing area worth every penny to me not to be overbooked - can sell 4 rooms in the time it takes me to get to the shops and back.

How are travelers going to find your one room? Where are you going to advertise it?
After we know that, we'll have answers for you.

mama beria said:

1) wishes to rent an empty room without having to pay a big fee for some online software to keep it in order for me.
2) do not want a no-show to prevent another traveler from reserving a room.

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1) With 8 rooms we kept our reservations for years just using notebook and later a book I had printed (one page for each day of the year), If only 1 room you could probably use a calendar and write the guest information on the calendar, but even purchasing a calendar costs something, it just all depends on your needs.
2) One could not take reservations and only accept walk in guests, room is theirs when they have paid, but most guests desire a reservation. Accepting credit cards and taking deposits helps or all guests pay in advance when reservation is made. It is really a balance, if there are way more guests than rooms in the area you can pretty well name your deal, but if there are many more rooms available than guests, you make a deal to rent your room.

Need more info.
Are you planning to rent out just one room ?
What country are you in?

mama beria said:

I am an aspiring innkeeper who wishes to rent an empty room without having to pay a big fee for some online software to keep it in order for me.
I do not wish to pay some outside operator if possible and do not want a no-show to prevent another traveler from reserving a room. Is there any device or way I can do this myself?
Any feedback appreciated.

Click to expand...

How are you renting it out? On airbnb? Then you can use their availability calendar to make sure you are not double booked.

Yep just use air bnb simplest way to go and that is your website and marketing
sounds like you want to do,this under the table but I suggest not. Better get some insurance as home owners won't cover you and get a zoning permit and business license or take your chances with air

Jcam said:

Arks said:

I don't understand what you mean by "do not want a no-show to prevent another traveler from reserving a room". If someone doesn't show, you don't KNOW they aren't showing until...the next day, really. So how would another traveler reserve the room (as I understand it, you only have that one room to rent)?.

Click to expand...

I think what she means is how can I make sure they are coming? or at the least that I will be paid for it.
Me I would be in this case if you don't want any online travel agents is a basic diary software and make your policy you pay when you book - weeds out the no shows and if they don't come at least you have the money.
.

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Thank you for your help. Which ones would you recommend, please?

seashanty said:

Need more info.
Are you planning to rent out just one room ?
What country are you in?.

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House rental in Philippines. Thank you.

JBloggs said:

mama beria said:

I am an aspiring innkeeper who wishes to rent an empty room without having to pay a big fee for some online software to keep it in order for me.
I do not wish to pay some outside operator if possible and do not want a no-show to prevent another traveler from reserving a room. Is there any device or way I can do this myself?
Any feedback appreciated.

Click to expand...

How are you renting it out? On airbnb? Then you can use their availability calendar to make sure you are not double booked..

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It's in progress. Presently getting everything, including reservation system together. You here are the experts, so we are novices here to learn, thank you. We do not know which course is best for the above question. All feedback appreciated.

Morticia said:

How are travelers going to find your one room? Where are you going to advertise it?
After we know that, we'll have answers for you..

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I have some plans locally. You may have better ideas abroad. Lay them on me. The place is in Philippines. Thank you.

JimBoone said:

mama beria said:

1) wishes to rent an empty room without having to pay a big fee for some online software to keep it in order for me.
2) do not want a no-show to prevent another traveler from reserving a room.

Click to expand...

1) With 8 rooms we kept our reservations for years just using notebook and later a book I had printed (one page for each day of the year), If only 1 room you could probably use a calendar and write the guest information on the calendar, but even purchasing a calendar costs something, it just all depends on your needs.
2) One could not take reservations and only accept walk in guests, room is theirs when they have paid, but most guests desire a reservation. Accepting credit cards and taking deposits helps or all guests pay in advance when reservation is made. It is really a balance, if there are way more guests than rooms in the area you can pretty well name your deal, but if there are many more rooms available than guests, you make a deal to rent your room..

Click to expand...

I am glad to buy a paper calendar. If only it can be arranged that cheaply, seven-star rating. Thank you.

EmptyNest said:

Yep just use air bnb simplest way to go and that is your website and marketing
sounds like you want to do,this under the table but I suggest not. Better get some insurance as home owners won't cover you and get a zoning permit and business license or take your chances with air.

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Nothing is being done under the table. It is a rental house and we want publicity. I am only asking about a reservation system. Regulations have been and are being followed for the location. Philippines has its own rules and regulations, thank you.

mama beria said:

Jcam said:

Arks said:

I don't understand what you mean by "do not want a no-show to prevent another traveler from reserving a room". If someone doesn't show, you don't KNOW they aren't showing until...the next day, really. So how would another traveler reserve the room (as I understand it, you only have that one room to rent)?.

Click to expand...

I think what she means is how can I make sure they are coming? or at the least that I will be paid for it.
Me I would be in this case if you don't want any online travel agents is a basic diary software and make your policy you pay when you book - weeds out the no shows and if they don't come at least you have the money.
.

Click to expand...

Thank you for your help. Which ones would you recommend, please?
.

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personally I like Myuktravel - free to book is very popular and cheapest I think

If you are going to have your own website, you can always load a free Google calendar to show availability. You have to keep it current. Guests would have to call or email to reserve.
If you have square (a credit card processor) in the Philippines then you can take deposits on the room to insure guests show up.
Freetobook is an online booking engine that is free for you to use.
Where are you located? My daughter in law is from Manila!

We have been using airbnb and are quite happy with it as it's very simple and reliable. You just put in the description, address, rates, bank details etc... and you're set. Guests will pay airbnb and airbnb pays you, payments come in the day after arrival, always on time (just make sure to set your cancellation policy to strict) and you can also see the guests pictures which makes my mother happy haha.
You can always do a facebook page and manage the bookings youselve on a diary but I think airbnb is much simpler and would be visible to a broader audience.

As others suggested using airbnb to take all online reservations would likely be good enough although to maximize occupancy I would definitely still have a website so you can also be found easily through search engines.
If you want to consider other options:
ThinkReservations is $10/room per month (plus CC processing fees on each transaction charged through their system) and would likely be one of the better options if it is only a single room.
You could also look at WordPress plugins which use PayPal and generally are a relatively cheap one time payment for the plugin. The main limitation on these is you would have to take all payment up front, but if you do want immediate payment they could work well enough.

DH22 said:

As others suggested using airbnb to take all online reservations would likely be good enough although to maximize occupancy I would definitely still have a website so you can also be found easily through search engines.
If you want to consider other options:
ThinkReservations is $10/room per month (plus CC processing fees on each transaction charged through their system) and would likely be one of the better options if it is only a single room.
You could also look at WordPress plugins which use PayPal and generally are a relatively cheap one time payment for the plugin. The main limitation on these is you would have to take all payment up front, but if you do want immediate payment they could work well enough..

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Thanks to you and everyone for their feedback.