This checklist walks you through the key steps to set up Direct bookings in Hospitable. Follow each step to get your site live and ready to accept guests.
1. Choose a Direct Plan
Hospitable assigns your Direct plan based on your property location:
Direct Premium is automatically enabled for properties in the United States (including Puerto Rico), United Kingdom (including Isle of Man and Jersey), and Australia. Direct Basic is available wherever Stripe is supported.
If your properties are in the US, UK, or Australia, you will start on Direct Premium by default. You can switch to Direct Basic at any time from Settings → Plans & billing → Direct.
Direct Basic gives you more control over payment processing but removes built-in protections like chargeback coverage, damage protection, and guest vetting. Any bookings already made will not be affected.
2. Add a Payout Method
Before accepting bookings, make sure you can receive payouts.
Direct Premium: Add and verify your bank account
Direct Basic: Connect or create a Stripe account
Payments and payouts page in Hospitable showing connected bank accounts and payout methods
Payout method verification is required before you can receive your payouts.
3. Create Your Direct Booking Site or Widget
Choose how guests will book:
Create a Hospitable-hosted booking site
Or embed a booking widget on your own website
You can preview your site before publishing.
The Direct site builder in Hospitable showing a preview of a booking website.
4. Configure Your Booking Policies
Set the rules that will apply to your bookings:
Cancellation policy
Payment terms and schedule
Service fees
These policies are applied at the time of booking.
Booking policies cannot be changed after a reservation is created.
Booking policies list in Hospitable showing different cancellation and payment configurations
Also see: Booking Policies for Direct Bookings
5. Configure Taxes
Set how taxes are handled for your Direct bookings:
Direct Premium: Taxes may be calculated and remitted automatically (where supported)
Direct Basic: You define and manage your own tax rates
You are responsible for filing and remitting taxes unless automatic remittance is supported in your region.
Also see: How Taxes are Handled in Direct
6. Review Your Messaging Rules
Make sure your messaging is ready for Direct guests:
Add or update a New Reservation message for Direct
Include check-in instructions and key property details
Remove any manual payment instructions (payments are handled during booking)
7. (Optional) Configure Guest Experience Settings
Depending on your setup, you can require guests to complete additional steps:
Guest verification
Rental agreements
Security deposits
Upsells (e.g., early check-in, add-ons)
Guest verification cannot be disabled on Direct Premium.
Guest portal configuration page with upsells and guest tasks enabled
8. Publish Your Site or Enable Your Widget
Once everything is ready:
Publish your Direct booking site
Or enable your booking widget
Your Direct booking channel is now live.
9. Start Accepting Bookings
When guests book:
Reservations appear in your Hospitable inbox
Payments are processed based on your payment terms
Messages, tasks, and automations are triggered
Instant Book behavior depends on your setup. Some bookings may require approval before they are accepted.
What’s Next
After setup, you can:
Enable Instant Book
Set up cancellation policies
Create promo codes
Add your listings to Google Vacation Rentals