Still collecting cash on arrival or waiting for wire transfers? In 2025, guests expect a smooth, secure way to pay online — and hosts deserve tools that make that simple.
Whether you’re renting out a cottage, guesthouse, or beachfront bungalow, setting up online payments doesn’t have to be complicated. In this guide, you’ll learn how to accept credit card bookings, handle deposits, and offer a better guest experience — without overhauling your entire system.
Why Accept Online Payments?
- Get paid before check-in — avoid no-shows and cancellations
- Boost guest confidence with secure, professional checkout
- Automate deposits and balance payments
- Save time compared to manual wire transfers or cash handling
What Are Your Options?
1. Peer-to-Peer Methods (Not Ideal)
Some hosts use PayPal, wire transfers, or Revolut for direct payments. These work in a pinch, but they lack automation, require manual tracking, and may feel unprofessional to guests.
2. Full Property Management Systems (Overkill for Some)
Larger PMS platforms offer online payment features — but they often come bundled with expensive plans or complex tools that aren't ideal for owners with just 1–3 properties.
3. Bookinghook — Simple, Secure Online Payments
Bookinghook gives you a lightweight booking engine with full payment capabilities built-in. It’s designed for independent hosts who want to accept online payments without dealing with platform fees or bloated software.
With Bookinghook You Can:
- Accept major credit cards securely via Stripe
- Charge deposits or full payments at time of booking
- Enable balance due later (great for longer stays)
- Automate confirmation emails and receipts
How to Set It Up
You can start accepting payments in less than 15 minutes:
- Create a free Bookinghook account
- Connect your Stripe account (or create one quickly in-app)
- Add Bookinghook’s calendar and booking widget to your website
- Choose whether to collect full payments or deposits upfront
Once it’s live, guests can book and pay directly on your site — no redirects, no friction.
What About Fees?
With Bookinghook, you get:
- No booking fees
- Only standard Stripe transaction fees
Unlike OTAs, you keep your brand, your guest relationship, and your profit margins. No commission surprises.
Final Thoughts
Accepting online payments doesn’t have to mean becoming a tech expert. With a tool like Bookinghook, you can get paid faster, offer a smoother booking process, and finally say goodbye to chasing down deposits or last-minute payment confusion.
Ready to modernize your rental? Start accepting online payments today.
