Website for Rental Hosts with Airbnb and Booking.com Synchronization

In the world of tourism, every detail matters - from outstanding property presentation and accurate availability to a seamless booking process.

Nearly every rental property is listed on leading platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com while also having its own website. And that’s fantastic! Your guests can easily find you, browse photos, and make reservations or payments in just a few clicks.

However, the "issue of double bookings" often arises - someone books a property on Airbnb, another guest reserves the same date on Booking.com or through your website, and you don’t have enough units available. What should you do? Cancel one of the reservations? Will it result in a negative review!?

Thankfully, there’s a simple solution to avoid such scenarios - calendar synchronization!

In this article, we’ll delve into how calendar synchronization works, how to set it up across multiple platforms, and how it enables better control, organization, and more secure bookings.

What is Calendar Synchronization and Why is it Important?

Calendar synchronization is the process of linking multiple rental platforms (like Airbnb, Booking.com, or your website) with a unified calendar that tracks unit availability.

Think of it as the central “pulse” of your bookings. Whenever someone books a date on one platform, the calendar is automatically updated, blocking that date across all other platforms.

Why is this important?

Without synchronization, you risk having a booking on one platform while showing the same date as available on another, leading to double or even triple bookings for the same day. This causes stress and can result in negative reviews, loss of guest trust, and harm to your business reputation.

With synchronized calendars, everything happens automatically - no need for manual updates or constant checks. This means:

• Fewer mistakes
• Less stress
• More time to focus on providing exceptional service to your guests

How to Synchronize Airbnb and Booking.com Calendars

The synchronization process typically involves exchanging iCal links between platforms.

iCal, or iCalendar, is a standard format for sharing event-based data, such as reservations and availability, across platforms.

Each platform generates a unique link for its calendar, which you simply copy and paste into the calendar of another platform.

Once the links are set up, your calendars will automatically update whenever a new reservation is made, keeping availability data aligned across all platforms without manual input.

Below is a step-by-step guide to integrating the two main platforms - Airbnb and Booking.com.

How to Link Airbnb to Other Systems

1. Open your Airbnb calendar from your account and click on Availability.
2. Under Connect calendars, select Connect to another website.
3. To export the Airbnb calendar, copy the link provided and paste it into the relevant field of another iCal-compatible calendar (e.g., Google Calendar or Booking.com Extranet).
4. To import a calendar, copy the .ics link from another platform and paste it into Airbnb’s address field.
5. Name the calendar (e.g., "Booking.com") and click Add calendar.

Note: Different platforms may have different fields for importing calendars. Detailed instructions can also be found on Airbnb’s official website.

How to Link Booking.com to Other Systems

1. Log into your Booking.com Extranet account.
2. Click on Rates & Availability and select Calendar.
3. Click Sync calendars and choose Add calendar connection.
4. Enter the iCal link of another system (e.g., Airbnb or Google Calendar).
5. Name the connection (e.g., "Airbnb") and click Next step.
6. To export the Booking.com calendar, click Copy link and paste it into the relevant field of another platform.

If you skipped a step, you can return to the Sync calendars menu later, click Complete setup, and finish the synchronization process. More details are available on Booking.com’s official website.

How to Synchronize Your Website

The most logical way to connect your website to platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com is by exporting booked dates in the iCal URL format. This requires setting up a function on your website to generate the link, which usually involves the help of a developer.

Once the link is ready, simply copy and paste it into the calendar field of other platforms. This ensures your website is automatically synchronized with other platforms, keeping availability data up to date everywhere.

Don’t Have a Website Yet? Here’s Why Now is the Right Time!

While platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com provide excellent reach and simplicity, they come with limitations and added costs (commissions, pay-to-boost packages, etc.).

With your own website, you gain full control over the design, content, and functionality, leading to more direct bookings.

Here’s Why Your Own Website is Essential:

• Greater Control – Customize your content and offerings to attract the right audience.
• No Commission Fees – Avoid high platform fees and communicate directly with guests.
• Simplified Management – Synchronization with other platforms makes tracking reservations and availability easier.
• Increased Trust – A professional website builds guest confidence, resulting in more bookings.

A dedicated website gives you full control and helps you foster long-term connections with your guests. Now is the perfect time to make it happen!

How Does a Website Increase Guest Trust?

One of the key factors in deciding to book accommodation is trust. Guests want to feel confident that the property they’re booking matches the images and descriptions provided. A dedicated website can significantly enhance guest trust for several reasons:

• Professional design and branding – A website gives your property a polished and credible look that platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com can’t fully offer.
• Detailed information and clear terms – Comprehensive descriptions, pricing, and terms make guests feel more secure when booking.
• Reviews and testimonials – Showcasing positive experiences from previous guests builds credibility and trust.
• Social media integration – Connecting your website with social media allows guests to see fresh, authentic content and impressions.

With your own website, you can fully manage all aspects of your property and offer guests an experience that assures them of your professionalism. This increases the likelihood of positive reviews, repeat bookings, and valuable word-of-mouth recommendations.

Case Study: A Website for Luxury Villas and Apartments

For our client, Boutique Residence Cosmopolis, we created an elegant, modern website that provides a premium user experience while ensuring effortless reservation management.

The website allows users to easily browse and book luxury villas and apartments, while also highlighting local attractions and activities that enhance the guest experience. An availability calendar with price displays, synchronized with platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb, ensures up-to-date booking information.

We also developed a user-friendly admin panel, enabling the client to independently manage content, images, amenities, and bookings.

With a modern design and intuitive interface, visitors can quickly and easily make a reservation, while the property owner maintains full control over their operations.

This project is a perfect example of how a high-quality website not only enhances business operations but also builds guest trust and simplifies daily processes.

To explore the Boutique Residence Cosmopolis website click here.

Conclusion

Synchronization with platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com ensures that availability data is always up-to-date, reducing the risk of double bookings and stress.

Creating your own website for your rental property is a crucial investment that provides greater control, better organization, and simpler reservation management.

A high-quality website not only improves your business operations but also increases guest trust, resulting in more bookings.

Contact us today to learn how we can help elevate your business and offer your guests an unforgettable experience.