Our guide to the best website booking system for cottages
Choosing the best website booking system for cottages is a crucial decision for UK holiday let owners and agencies. A good booking system allows guests to check availability, book instantly and pay securely – all without leaving your website. What’s more, for holiday cottage rental agencies, the right system can increase direct bookings, reduce unnecessary fees as well as simplify day to day management.
In today’s competitive travel industry platforms have to work harder, with many now combining property management tools, channel managers and analytics. In this guide we’ll compare some of the most widely used systems in the UK holiday cottage rental sector, and how they can enhance your business.
Why choosing the right best website booking system for cottages matters
The UK self catering industry continues to expand at a staggering pace. With new agencies launching all the time and an increasing number of properties now available to guests.
When selecting the best website booking system for cottages, increasing direct bookings should be your primary goal. Successfully integrating one of these systems into your site simplifies the booking process, providing a positive user experience whilst steering guests away from third-party sites and other competitors.
Below are several of our top picks for website booking systems ideal for the UK holiday cottage rental market.
SuperControl
SuperControl is undoubtedly one of the most well known property management systems in the UK holiday rental sector, with many businesses finding it the best website booking system for cottages. The platform’s flexibility means that both single property owners and agencies can benefit from its features, with its direct booking engine, reporting, channel management and more.
Did you know that gloversure is a SuperControl specialist agency? We’ve worked with the booking platform since 2011, and we’re also one of the few digital agencies that they personally recommend. Our experience has seen us develop a variety of additional features, designed to take the integration to new heights.
We’ve been working on SuperControl API Integrations since 2011.
Rentals United
Rentals United is primarily a channel manager that distributes holiday property listings to many booking platforms, with 90+ channels that ensure maximum reach for agency portfolios. The system synchronises pricing, availability and reservations across channels, helping your holiday cottage business avoid double bookings.
While it is often used alongside other property management systems, it can support direct booking tools as well. With businesses focused on larger property portfolios finding it to be the best website booking system for cottages.
You can find our more about the Rentals United Integrations we’ve done here.
Freetobook
Freetobook is a popular booking system among independent holiday accommodation providers in the UK. With their core booking engine and property management tools being free to use, it’s a popular choice for property owners looking for the best website booking system for cottages.
Holiday cottage owners can add a booking engine to their website and manage reservations in a central calendar, with guests able to check availability and book directly. Optional paid add ons include channel management, payment tools and automated messaging, thus making Freetobook a good option for smaller cottage businesses.
Bookalet
Bookalet is a UK based booking system designed specifically for holiday lets and cottages. Like its competitors, it allows owners to add a live booking calendar and reservation form to your website. Guests can check availability and book directly online with payments and guest details being managed through the platform.
Furthermore, Bookalet also supports calendar synchronisation with external booking sites, which is ideal for larger holiday cottage agencies looking to expand their reach. Its simple interface makes it popular with independent cottage owners, making it suited to businesses looking for the best website booking system for cottages.
Hostaway
Hostaway is a full holiday rental management platform used by property management agencies worldwide. It combines booking management, automation and also channel distribution. The platform includes a booking engine that integrates within holiday cottage rental websites, allowing guests to book directly. What’s more, Hostaway also provides automated messaging, analytics and pricing tools. Making it a popular choice for larger UK holiday property rental businesses.
Agencies looking for the best website booking system for cottages can also benefit from 24/7 support, despite Hostaway being based in the United States.
Guesty
Guesty is another all in one property management system for short term holiday rentals. It helps rental agencies manage bookings and listings as well as guest communication from one dashboard. The platform synchronises reservations across booking platforms in real time, keeping calendars accurate and reducing manual work. Furthermore, Guesty also includes automation, reporting and financial tools.
Like Hostaway, Guesty is another provider that’s based in the United States. Offering 24/7 email support, with phone support hours between 9am-9pm.
You can see more about our work with Guesty here.
Choosing the best website booking system for cottages
The best website booking system for cottages depends on the size of your business and the features you need. Single property owners may prefer simple systems like Bookalet or Freetobook, whereas larger agencies may benefit from platforms like SuperControl, Hostaway or Guesty. It’s these systems that provide deeper automation and channel management.
Wrapping up…
Finding the best website booking system for cottages can help increase direct bookings and improve operational efficiency significantly. By integrating a strong booking system into your holiday lettings website, you’re also creating a better, more memorable experience for your guests.
As a digital agency that’s worked closely with the travel and tourism industry for decades, we’ve seen the impact that successful booking system integrations can have on holiday lettings websites firsthand. We’ve supported countless holiday rental agency clients on their booking system integration journey. Crafting websites that don’t just look great but convert.
Discover our API integration services here or contact us today.
