How To List Your Property On Hotels.com: Complete 2025 Guide

TL;DR: 

• Missing Hotels.com means losing access to Expedia Group's global network and millions of travelers searching for accommodations worldwide.
• Manual rate and availability management across platforms creates double bookings, pricing errors, and guest disputes that hurt your property's reputation.
• Complete registration through Expedia Partner Central with proper documentation, high-quality photos, and accurate property details for approval.
• Channel managers like roommaster automate Hotels.com sync with your other booking platforms, preventing conflicts and managing all reservations centrally.

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Listing a property on Hotels.com can open new opportunities for property owners. Hotels.com is a well-known platform that connects travelers with hotels, vacation rentals, and unique stays worldwide. For those managing independent hotels, bed & breakfasts, or other accommodations, knowing the process to list on Hotels.com is important.

This guide explains each step for getting a property visible to millions of potential guests searching for their next stay. It covers requirements, account setup, property details, and best practices for managing a listing. The information here is meant to provide a clear, structured overview for anyone starting out.

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Why List Your Property on Hotels.com

Hotels.com is part of Expedia Group, one of the world's largest online travel companies. When you list your property on Hotels.com, you get access to travelers across multiple travel brands and booking channels within the Expedia network.

Your property gains international visibility, which means potential bookings from travelers around the world. The platform includes marketing tools, loyalty programs, and features that help you present accurate pricing and keep availability updated.

Integration with Expedia Group's systems allows for streamlined management of rates, inventory, and guest communications. You can also run targeted promotions to attract more bookings during slower periods.

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Documentation and Eligibility Checklist

Before starting the process to list on Hotels.com, you'll want to gather the required documents and verify that your property type is eligible in your location.

- Business License and Ownership Proof

You'll need a valid business license for your property. Evidence of ownership, such as a property deed or lease agreement, is also required. If you're an agent or third-party manager, you'll provide management authorization letters.

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- Tax and Safety Compliance Evidence

Local tax registration numbers and occupancy or hospitality tax identification are part of the documentation. Fire and safety certifications, insurance certificates, and documents showing compliance with local lodging regulations are included in this step.

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- Bank and Contact Details for Payouts

Business bank account details help Hotels.com send your payments. This includes your account number and routing information, IBAN, or SWIFT codes depending on your location. You'll also provide your legal business name and verified contact information for account security.

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Hotels.com Commission and Payout Basics

Hotels.com operates under a commission-based model, similar to other online travel agencies. The commission rate varies based on your property's location, type, and the specific terms in your contract. Commission rates are typically in line with industry standards for online travel agencies.

The payout process depends on which payment model you choose. With Expedia Collect, guests pay for their stay online when they book, and Hotels.com sends your payment according to a predetermined schedule. With Hotel Collect, guests pay directly at your property during their stay, and you send the commission amount back to Hotels.com afterward.

Your contract documents will specify the exact commission percentage, payment schedule, and invoicing details. Reviewing these documents helps you understand the financial aspects of working with Hotels.com.

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Step-By-Step Sign-Up Through Expedia Partner Central

Hotels.com listings are managed through Expedia Partner Central, which is Expedia Group's main platform for property partners. One account lets you manage content, rates, and availability for Hotels.com and other Expedia Group channels.

Step 1: Create Your Free Partner Account

Visit Expedia Group Partner Central and select "List your property" or "Join." Register using your business email and create a secure password. Enter your business details and acknowledge the initial terms.

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Step 2: Verify Property Details and Contact Info

Enter your property name, full address, and geo-location pin on the map. Provide your primary contact information, phone number, and select your property type from options like hotel, bed & breakfast, vacation rental, or boutique property.

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Step 3: Enter Room Types and Base Rates

List your different room categories and bedding options. Specify the maximum number of guests per room and include details about what's provided, such as breakfast or Wi-Fi. Set your base rate for each room type and occupancy level. Add any policies about children, extra person fees, and applicable taxes.

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Step 4: Upload Availability Calendar

Enter your property's availability for the upcoming months. Mark dates when rooms are open or closed, set minimum and maximum length-of-stay requirements, and note any blackout periods for renovations or private events.

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Step 5: Add Images and Amenities

Upload high-resolution photos of your property and rooms. Select the amenities you offer from the provided list, such as parking, pool, gym, pet-friendly accommodations, EV charging stations, and accessibility features. Make sure the amenities you list match what's actually available at your property.

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Step 6: Review, Submit, and Track Approval

Check all your submitted information for accuracy before submitting your listing for review. Monitor your listing status in Partner Central, as approval typically involves document verification and content review. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information to speed up the activation process.

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Photo and Description Guidelines That Boost Conversions

Quality photos and clear descriptions help potential guests understand what your property offers and encourage them to book.

1. Image Requirements and Best Practices

Your photos need to meet specific technical requirements:

• Minimum dimensions: 2048 x 1536 pixels (anything below 1280 x 960 pixels won't be accepted)
• File formats: JPEG or PNG with 80-90% compression quality
• Orientation: Landscape format works best for most photos
• Content guidelines: No heavy filters, watermarks, or people in the photos

Include photos of your exterior, lobby or public areas, different room types, bathrooms, dining areas, amenities like pools or gyms, and nearby attractions.

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2. Writing Property Descriptions That Connect

Your property description helps guests understand what makes your place special. Focus on specific features like room size, views, bedding options, and standout amenities such as rain showers, balconies, or dedicated workspaces.

Mention who your property works well for, whether that's business travelers, families, or couples. Use clear language that describes what guests will actually experience during their stay.

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3. Highlighting Key Amenities

Travelers often filter search results by specific amenities. Make sure to highlight the most commonly searched features:

• Free Wi-Fi and parking: Essential for most travelers
• Breakfast included: Popular filter option
• Pet-friendly policies: Important for travelers with pets
• Accessibility features: Required for guests with mobility needs
• Pool and fitness facilities: Attractive for leisure travelers
• Business amenities: 24/7 front desk, meeting spaces, business center

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How to Connect a Channel Manager or PMS Seamlessly

A channel manager or property management system (PMS) connects your property's booking system directly with Hotels.com through Expedia Group's technology. This connection automatically updates your rates, room availability, and reservations between your system and the Hotels.com platform.

Channel managers use two-way connectivity, which means changes you make to pricing or availability in your system appear on Hotels.com instantly. When guests book through Hotels.com, the reservation details automatically transfer back to your management system.

Systems like roommaster can manage updates for multiple online travel agencies at once, including Hotels.com. This keeps your information consistent across all platforms without requiring manual updates for each channel.

To set up the connection, follow the integration steps provided by your channel manager or PMS provider. After setup, test that rates, inventory, and content are syncing correctly between your system and Expedia Partner Central.

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Proven Tips to Rank Higher and Drive Bookings

Several factors influence how prominently your property appears in Hotels.com search results and how often travelers choose to book with you.

1. Keep Your Calendar Updated Daily

Real-time updates to your availability, rate restrictions, and pricing help prevent overbookings and cancellations. Automated systems that sync with Hotels.com can maintain accuracy and support higher search rankings.

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2. Respond to Guest Reviews Promptly

Engaging with guest reviews shows potential visitors that you care about the guest experience. Thank guests for positive reviews and address concerns professionally in your responses. When you mention specific improvements you've made based on feedback, it demonstrates your commitment to quality.

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3. Use Member-Only Pricing and Flash Deals

Hotels.com offers promotional tools that can help increase your bookings during slower periods. Member-only pricing gives registered users special rates, while mobile-only deals target travelers booking on their phones. Geo-targeted discounts can attract visitors from specific locations, and time-limited flash sales create urgency for potential bookers.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid After Going Live

Once your Hotels.com listing is active, ongoing maintenance helps protect your ranking and revenue.

A. Keeping Photos and Amenities Current

Update your photos seasonally and immediately when amenities change. If you complete renovations, add new facilities like EV charging stations, or temporarily close amenities like a spa or pool, update your listing right away. Outdated information leads to disappointed guests and negative reviews.

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B. Aligning Cancellation Policies Across Channels

Your cancellation policies on Hotels.com need to match what you offer on other booking platforms. If one channel shows flexible cancellation while another requires nonrefundable bookings for the same dates, guests may become confused or dispute charges.

Offer consistent policy options across all channels:

• Flexible: Full refund with advance notice
• Semi-flexible: Partial refund with restrictions
• Nonrefundable: Lower rates with no cancellation option

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C. Avoiding Manual Update Errors

Manual updates to room availability can create booking conflicts, especially as your volume grows. Channel managers and property management systems automate this process, keeping your rates and availability synchronized across all platforms and reducing the risk of double-bookings.

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Next Steps to Streamline Operations With roommaster

Managing multiple booking channels, guest communications, and daily operations can become complex as your business grows. A comprehensive hotel management platform centralizes these tasks in one system.

roommaster includes built-in channel management that connects directly with Hotels.com and other online travel agencies. The system automatically updates room rates and availability across all connected platforms, applies pricing changes to multiple channels simultaneously, and updates inventory in real time as bookings occur.

This automation reduces manual work and helps prevent overbookings or missed reservations. Properties interested in seeing how these features work together can request a demo of roommaster to view the workflows in action.

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FAQs About Listing on Hotels.com

What commission does Hotels.com charge property owners?

Commission rates vary by property location, type, and contract terms, typically aligning with standard online travel agency rates. Your specific rate and any promotional adjustments appear in your Expedia Partner Central agreement.

How long does Hotels.com approval take for new listings?

Property listing approval usually takes several business days to a few weeks, depending on your location, verification requirements, and how quickly you provide requested documentation.

Can I temporarily pause my Hotels.com listing during renovations?

You can close inventory for specific dates in Partner Central or contact your market manager to pause your listing. You can set blackout periods or stop sales temporarily without deleting your entire listing.

Does Hotels.com accept both hotels and vacation rentals?

Hotels.com lists hotels, bed and breakfasts, inns, boutique properties, and many vacation rentals through Expedia Group's platform, subject to local regulations and category requirements.

How do I receive payments from Hotels.com bookings?

Payment methods depend on your chosen model. With Expedia Collect, Expedia processes guest payments and transfers funds to your bank account on the agreed schedule. With Hotel Collect, you charge guests directly and remit commission to Expedia per your contract terms.