How can you increase bookings for your hotel or guest house?

Getting more bookings doesn't depend on a single trick. The traveler first needs to find your property, quickly understand what you offer, check that the stay meets their needs, and feel reassured enough to book.

It's not about promising more than other accommodations. A clear presentation, reliable availability, and understandable terms are often more effective than a long sales pitch.

Start with the traveler you want to welcome

A hotel located near a train station, a country guesthouse, and a family apartment don’t match the same searches. Before changing your listing, ask yourself which traveler will actually benefit from your property.

These can include:

• couples looking for a short stay;
• families needing multiple beds;
• business travelers;
• groups wanting to share the same accommodation;
• people looking for peace, nature, or a local experience;
• travelers with specific accessibility needs.

Your ad will be more convincing if it clearly speaks to the people the accommodation is right for, without trying to please everyone.

Take care of the first visible information

The title, main photo, price, and location give the first impression. They should make it easy to immediately understand what’s being offered.

A useful title indicates the type of accommodation and its main feature. Avoid vague phrases or a string of superlatives. Concrete information is easier to remember.

For example, naturally specify if your place stands out for:

• its proximity to a city center, a train station, or a tourist spot;
• its quiet surroundings;
• its family rooms;
• its garden, terrace, or view;
• its parking;
• its welcome suited to business stays.

The highlighted feature must be real and visible in the rest of the listing.

Use photos that answer the questions

Photos are not just to decorate a listing. They should help travelers imagine their stay.

Start with a bright main image that is true to the accommodation. Then add photos showing:

• each type of room or accommodation;
• beds and their arrangement;
• bathroom;
• common areas;
• outside and the entrance of the property;
• important amenities;
• the actual view when it’s an advantage;
• special services like breakfast or parking.

Tidy up the rooms, open the curtains, and favor natural light. Avoid heavy filters, angles that distort space, and pictures that no longer reflect the current state of the home.

An honest photo reduces bad surprises and helps attract travelers genuinely interested in your property.

Write an accurate and easy-to-scan description

A good description doesn’t just repeat the title. It answers the questions a traveler might have before booking.

Start with the essentials:

• the type of property;
• the kind of guests it’s suitable for;
• its location;
• its main amenities;
• the vibe of the place;
• any special features to know before arrival.

Then add the practical info: access, parking, transport, floor, elevator, shared spaces, hours, and important rules.

Don't try to hide a constraint. A busy street, a staircase without an elevator, or a limited check-in time may not suit everyone, but clearly announcing them avoids misunderstandings and unsuitable bookings.

Describe the rooms and beds correctly

Travelers should be able to tell how many people can be accommodated, the number of beds, and the number of rooms actually available.

Specifically, mention:

• the type and quantity of each bed;
• the maximum capacity excluding babies;
• the presence of a pull-out sofa;
• whether the bathroom is private or shared;
• if multiple rooms or configurations can be booked;
• the amenities and services associated with each configuration.

A traveler should not find out after booking that a listed bed is in the living room or that a bathroom is shared between several rooms.

Present the services clearly

Breakfast, parking, pets, air conditioning, or access to a relaxation area can influence the choice of accommodation. For each service, clearly indicate whether it is:

• included in the price;
• free but optional;
• paid;
• unavailable for certain rooms or certain periods.

This distinction allows the traveler to compare the actual cost of the stay and limits discussions at the time of arrival.

Keep your availability up to date

An attractive listing is useless if its calendar isn’t reliable. A booking denied because a date is already taken disappoints the traveler and wastes the host’s time.

When your property shows up on multiple sites, iCalendar synchronization lets you exchange occupied or unavailable periods. This synchronization is periodic: it doesn’t replace regular calendar checks.

After receiving a booking directly, by phone, or through another channel, quickly block off the relevant period. Check out our guide on syncing calendars with iCalendar.

Set your rates without always looking for the lowest price

A traveler doesn’t always choose the cheapest accommodation. They also compare location, presentation quality, services, cancellation policies, and the trust inspired by the listing.

Your price should stay consistent with:

• the type and capacity of the accommodation;
• the time of year;
• the length of the stay;
• events organized nearby;
• included services;
• real constraints and qualities of the establishment.

Rate rules may allow you to adjust the price depending on the periods. Always check the final preview before publishing a modification. An already confirmed booking keeps the conditions and the price recorded at the time of its validation.

Offer understandable cancellation conditions

A very strict policy can reassure the host but discourage some travelers. A more flexible policy can make booking easier while increasing the risk of cancellation.

The right choice depends on your activity, your season, and your ability to replace a canceled booking.

The traveler should be able to understand before confirming:

• until what date they can cancel;
• what will be refunded;
• what might still be owed after a late cancellation;
• the consequences of a no-show.

To go further, check out the guide Cancellation, no-show and refund: who gets what?.

Choose a suitable payment process

A professional host can, depending on how their listing is set up, offer online payment or payment on site. An individual host uses on-site payment with the guarantee provided by the platform.

Online payment makes it easy to pay for a booking before arrival. Payment on site allows the host to collect the stay directly, while a card verified by Stripe can guarantee the booking under the conditions accepted by the traveler.

Whatever the method offered, the price, currency, and conditions must be clearly visible. Find the differences in the guide. Online payment, on-site payment, or using a guarantee card.

Answer travelers clearly

A question before booking often reveals information missing from the listing. Answer precisely, and if the same question keeps coming up, update your listing accordingly.

It's better to give a simple answer about access, schedules, or amenities rather than sending a long promotional message.

After confirmation, share useful information at the right time: arrival procedure, meeting point, parking, key handover, and planned contact method.

Build a reputation true to reality

Reviews can reassure a traveler when they are linked to a real experience. A good reputation starts with accurate information and services that match what was advertised.

After each stay:

• check that the photos still represent the property;
• correct any information that has become inaccurate;
• take into account recurring comments;
• never post or buy fake reviews.

A helpful review can highlight an easy-to-fix point: unclear arrival instructions, poorly explained amenities, or a service travelers expected to be included.

Improve your local presence

If your business meets the eligibility criteria, a verified Google business listing can help travelers find your address in search and on the map.

Keep consistent information across your different online presences:

• the name of the business;
• the address and contact details;
• the opening and contact hours;
• photos;
• important amenities;
• the link to the page where the stay can be viewed or booked.

Different information from one site to another can create doubts when booking.

Check your listing like a traveler

Before publishing, open the listing on a phone and try to quickly find the answers to these questions:

• Where is the accommodation located?
• How many people can it host?
• What beds are available?
• Which services are included?
• What is the price for the chosen dates?
• How and when should the stay be paid for?
• What happens in case of cancellation?
• How does check-in work?

If an answer is hard to find, complete the listing before waiting for the first inquiries.

What GoMyRoof brings together for the host

GoMyRoof allows you to showcase a hotel, a guesthouse, a holiday cottage, an apartment, or another type of accommodation in a space separate from real estate listings.

From their space, hosts can, in particular, organize:

• their listings and their different setups;
• the rooms, beds, amenities, and services;
• the prices and availability;
• the synchronization of calendars;
• the booking and cancellation conditions;
• payments or guarantees handled through Stripe;
• tracking reservations;
• earnings, commissions, payouts, and documents.

The platform cannot guarantee a number of bookings. However, it provides the necessary tools to clearly present your property, receive bookings, and track activity without mixing up essential information.

Your action plan

1. Define the travelers your accommodation truly suits.
2. Choose a clear and true-to-life main photo.
3. Review the title and the first lines of the description.
4. Check rooms, beds, capacities, and services.
5. Update your prices and availability.
6. Review the payment and cancellation conditions.
7. Check the full listing on both computer and phone.

An effective listing doesn’t try to impress everyone. It helps the right traveler quickly understand that the accommodation fits their stay.

You can start by checking out the guide Posting your hotel or guesthouse onlineand then create your host area once your presentation is ready.

Sources and references

1. Create your GoMyRoof host area
2. How does GoMyRoof work?
3. Terms applicable to hosts
4. Platform transparency and operation
5. Google — Create useful and reliable content
6. Google — Getting started with a business listing for a hotel