How To List Your Hotel On Booking.com

TL;DR: 

• Missing proper setup on Booking.com means losing access to 1.5 billion monthly visitors and potential bookings from 220+ countries.
• Manual calendar management across multiple platforms creates double bookings, rate inconsistencies, and guest complaints that damage your property's reputation.
• Complete registration with high-quality photos, clear policies, and accurate property details to get approved and start appearing in search results.
• Channel managers like roommaster automate Booking.com sync with other platforms, preventing overbookings and managing all reservations from one dashboard.

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Listing a hotel online can make it visible to travelers from around the world. Booking.com is one of the most popular platforms for hotels, apartments, and other accommodations.

This guide explains the process to list on Booking.com, including registration requirements, setup steps, and how to manage a listing. Whether managing a small guesthouse or a larger property, understanding this process can help maximize online presence.

This information is designed for those new to online travel agencies (OTAs) and hotel distribution. Each section breaks down the steps in clear language.

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Why list on Booking.com

Booking.com connects properties with travelers in over 220 countries. The platform gets more than 1.5 billion visits each month, giving hotels access to a massive global audience.

The commission-based model means properties pay a percentage only when guests actually book and stay. There are no upfront fees to create a booking com listing or monthly subscription costs.

Many travelers recognize the Booking.com brand, which can increase trust in your property. Your listing appears in search results alongside established hotels, giving smaller properties equal visibility.

Key benefits include:

• Global reach: Access to millions of international travelers
• No upfront costs: Pay only when you get bookings
• Brand recognition: Leverage Booking.com's trusted reputation
• Equal visibility: Compete alongside major hotel chains

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Requirements checklist before you join

Getting your information ready before starting saves time during the registration process. Booking.com asks for specific details about your property, policies, and business information.

1. Photos and room details

High-quality photos are the most important part of your listing. Travelers decide whether to book based largely on what they see in your photo gallery.

Take photos of every room type you plan to list. Include bathrooms, common areas like lobbies or breakfast rooms, and your property's exterior. Each photo needs to be at least 1024 x 683 pixels.

Photo requirements:

• Room interiors: Show beds, seating areas, and windows
• Bathrooms: Include shower/tub and vanity areas
• Common spaces: Lobby, breakfast area, pool, gym
• Exterior shots: Building front and surrounding area
• High resolution: Minimum 1024 x 683 pixels

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2. Policies and house rules

Clear policies prevent guest confusion and disputes. Booking.com requires specific information about check-in procedures, cancellation terms, and property rules.

Document your check-in and check-out times, pet policies, smoking rules, and any age restrictions. Include details about additional fees like cleaning charges or security deposits.

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3. Bank and tax information

You'll provide business bank account details for receiving payments. Booking.com also collects tax identification numbers as required by local regulations.

Prepare documentation proving you own or legally manage the property. This might include business licenses, property deeds, or management agreements.

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Eight steps to create a booking com listing

1. Create your booking com account

Go to join.booking.com and click "List your property." Enter your email address, create a password, and provide basic contact information including your name and phone number.

Booking.com allows one property owner per account initially. If you manage multiple properties, you can add them later through the same account.

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2. Choose property type and name

Select your property category from the available options. Hotels fall under "Hotel, B&B & More" while vacation rentals use "Homes" or "Apartments."

Enter your property name exactly as it appears on your business registration or signage. Avoid creative spellings or marketing language that might confuse travelers searching for your hotel.

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3. Enter location and contact details

Input your complete street address including postal code. Booking.com uses this information to place your property accurately on maps and in location-based searches.

Add your primary phone number and email address. These become the main contact methods for both Booking.com and guests who book your property.

Location accuracy matters because:

• Search visibility: Travelers filter results by specific areas
• Guest navigation: Accurate addresses prevent arrival confusion
• Local competition: You compete with nearby properties in search results

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4. Add room types and rates

Create separate listings for each type of room you offer. A small hotel might have standard doubles, king rooms, and suites as different room types.

Set your base rate for each room category. This becomes your starting price, which you can adjust later based on demand, seasons, or special events.

Include what's covered in your room rate, such as breakfast, Wi-Fi, or parking. Booking.com displays this information to help travelers compare options.

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5. Upload high-quality photos

Start with your best room photo as the main image. This appears first in search results and significantly impacts booking decisions.

Upload at least 24 photos showing different angles and areas of your property. Include wide shots that show room layouts and close-ups highlighting amenities or decor details.

Photo strategy:

• Lead with your best: Main photo should showcase your top room
• Show variety: Include different room types and angles
• Natural lighting: Take photos during daylight hours when possible
• Clean and tidy: Remove personal items and clutter before shooting

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6. Set policies and house rules

Define your cancellation policy using Booking.com's standard options. Most hotels choose flexible (free cancellation until 1-2 days before arrival) or moderate (free cancellation until 5-7 days before).

Specify check-in and check-out times, extra person fees, and policies about children or pets. Clear policies reduce guest complaints and help set proper expectations.

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7. Review commission and payment settings

Booking.com typically charges 15-18% commission on each booking, though rates vary by location and property type. This commission gets deducted from your earnings, not charged upfront.

Choose between two payment options: Payments by Booking.com (they collect from guests and pay you) or self-processing (you charge guests directly and pay Booking.com commission separately).

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8. Submit for verification

Review all your information before submitting. Booking.com checks your property details, photos, and ownership documentation during their approval process.

Verification usually takes 24-72 hours. Once approved, your property goes live and starts appearing in search results. You'll receive login details for the Extranet dashboard to manage your listing.

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Commission rates and payment flow explained

Understanding how Booking.com makes money helps you plan your pricing and cash flow. The platform uses a commission-based model rather than charging upfront listing fees.

- Standard commission structure

Most properties pay 15-18% commission on each completed booking. The exact rate depends on your location, property type, and participation in Booking.com's programs like Genius or mobile deals.

Commission applies only to bookings where guests actually arrive and check in. If someone books but doesn't show up, you don't pay commission on that reservation.

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- Payments by Booking.com versus self-processing

Payments by Booking.com means the platform collects payment from guests and transfers your earnings minus commission. This reduces administrative work but gives you less control over payment timing.

Self-processing means you charge guests directly using your own payment system. You then pay Booking.com commission separately through monthly invoicing. This option requires more setup but gives you direct control over transactions.

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- Payout schedule and invoices

With Payments by Booking.com, you typically receive money within 24 hours of guest check-in. Self-processing properties receive monthly invoices for commission owed.

All financial details appear in your Extranet dashboard under the Finance tab. You can download statements and track earnings by month, room type, or booking source.

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Sync calendars and avoid double bookings

Managing availability across multiple booking platforms requires careful coordination. Double bookings happen when two different sites sell the same room for the same night.

A. Two-way iCal sync basics

iCal syncing shares availability information between Booking.com and other platforms through calendar feeds. When someone books on one site, the calendar updates automatically on connected platforms.

Basic iCal sync has limitations. Updates can take several hours, and some changes don't transfer correctly between different booking systems.

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B. Channel manager integration with roommaster

Property management systems like roommaster automate calendar syncing across all your booking channels. When someone books on Booking.com, the system immediately blocks those dates on your direct booking website, Expedia, and other connected platforms.

Channel manager benefits:

• Real-time updates: Availability changes instantly across all platforms
• Rate management: Update prices on multiple sites simultaneously
• Centralized reservations: Manage all bookings from one dashboard
• Reduced errors: Eliminate manual calendar updates

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Boost your booking.com listing after go live

Getting your property live on Booking.com is just the beginning. Several strategies can improve your search ranking and booking conversion rate.

- Improve content score

Booking.com assigns each property a content score based on how complete and detailed your listing information is. Higher content scores typically correlate with better search visibility.

Complete all available fields in your property profile, including detailed descriptions, amenities lists, and policy information. Add photos of every room type and common area.

Keep your availability calendar updated at least weekly. Properties with accurate, current availability information rank higher in search results.

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- Activate mobile and Genius rates

Mobile rates offer small discounts to travelers booking through Booking.com's mobile app. This can help your property appear higher in mobile search results.

The Genius program provides discounts to Booking.com's frequent travelers. Participating properties get a "Genius" badge and preferential placement in search results for loyalty program members.

Special rate programs:

• Mobile rates: 5-10% discount for mobile bookings
• Genius rates: 10-15% discount for loyalty members
• Early bird rates: Discounts for advance bookings
• Last-minute deals: Reduced rates for same-day availability

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- Collect and respond to guest reviews

Guest reviews directly impact your search ranking and booking conversion rate. Properties with higher review scores and more total reviews typically appear higher in search results.

Respond professionally to all reviews, both positive and negative. Thank guests for positive feedback and address specific concerns mentioned in critical reviews.

Review management tips:

• Follow up quickly: Respond within 24-48 hours when possible
• Stay professional: Avoid defensive or emotional language
• Address specifics: Reference particular points mentioned in the review
• Show improvement: Explain changes you've made based on feedback

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Ready to grow direct bookings too

Listing on Booking.com works well alongside direct booking strategies. Many successful hotels use both approaches to maximize occupancy and reduce dependence on any single booking source.

Managing multiple booking channels creates operational complexity. You need to coordinate room availability, handle different cancellation policies, and manage guest communications across various platforms.

Hotel management software centralizes these operations by connecting your Booking.com listing with your direct booking website, property management system, and guest communication tools.

roommaster integrates with Booking.com and other major booking platforms, allowing you to manage all reservations from a single dashboard. The system automatically syncs availability, updates rates, and consolidates guest information across all your booking channels.

Ready to see how integrated hotel management can streamline your operations? Request a demo to learn more about coordinating your Booking.com listings with direct bookings.

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FAQs 

Can hotels pause their Booking.com listing without losing reviews?

Yes, you can temporarily close your listing through the Extranet dashboard while keeping all property details and guest reviews intact. The listing can be reopened anytime without losing historical data.

What types of properties can list on Booking.com besides traditional hotels?

Booking.com accepts bed & breakfasts, guesthouses, hostels, vacation rentals, and unique accommodations like boats or treehouses. Each property type must meet specific safety and quality standards.

How do hotels change payout details from personal to business accounts?

Contact Booking.com partner support to update banking information from personal to business accounts. This change requires business documentation verification and cannot be completed directly through the Extranet.

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