Many apartment and small hotel owners in the Czech Republic work with Booking.com, Airbnb and other platforms. It’s certainly convenient, as these platforms provide access to a large audience. However, there is a downside – the commissions.
Partnerships with Booking and Airbnb mean ongoing commissions
The commission charged by these services is usually around 15% of the booking price. In addition, in the Czech Republic you also pay VAT on that commission, which means your actual costs increase even further.
In the long run, this can significantly affect your profit, especially if you have many regular guests or a steady flow of bookings.
Are there any alternatives to Booking.com and Airbnb in the Czech Republic?
Yes, this means creating your own hotel website with a direct booking function.
This does not mean that you have to completely abandon Booking or Airbnb. But a website gives you the opportunity to receive some of your bookings directly, without commissions.
Benefits of having your own website:
- Direct bookings – no extra fees.
- Control over your own content – room descriptions, photos, house rules, booking policies – everything is yours.
- Better communication with guests – you receive their contact details directly, rather than through a third-party platform.
- Increased trust – having your own website creates a professional image and strengthens your hotel’s brand.
- Ability to offer special deals and promo codes for regular guests.
The first steps in creating a hotel website:
1. Clarify your goal
Consider what role your website will need to fulfil:
- Provide information
- Accept reservations
- Process payments
- Collect contact details
- Promote your brand
This will help you decide on the right layout and features.
2. Select a platform or developer
There are several options:
- – WordPress website + booking plugin – suitable not only for simple setups, but also offers a wide range of plugins and the ability to connect payment systems such as Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc.
- – Professional development – ideal if you need a custom design, integrations, automation, or a more complex booking system.
3. Create a website structure
- Home
- About the hotel
- Rooms/apartments
- Reservations
- Gallery
- Contacts and location
- Frequently asked questions
- Description of services (parking, Wi-Fi, shuttle service, etc.)
4. Add a booking system
This is a key element. It’s important that the system allows you to:
- – Check date availability
- – Automatically synchronise calendars (iCal) with Booking.com / Airbnb
- – Accept online payments
5. Connect Google Business
This will help guests find you on Google Maps, see your photos, contact details, and read reviews.
6. Optimise your site for basic SEO
This is especially important for hotels, as people often search using local queries (“hotel near…”, “apartment in…”, “ubytování…”, “hotel in Prague”, etc.). Optimising your website will help you showcase your property to potential guests and attract more direct bookings
7. Start advertising your hotel
Even the best website won’t work effectively without traffic. Therefore, after launch, it’s important to focus on promotion.
What to set up:
Google Ads
Advertising on search engines is one of the most effective ways to attract guests who are already looking to book accommodation. People often search for specific terms such as “apartment Prague,” “hotel near the city centre,” “ubytování Praha,” or “hotel in Český Krumlov.”
Properly configured campaigns can help your website receive booking requests, even when you are competing with well-known platforms.
Google Hotel Ads
This is a special format for hotels that lets you display your prices and availability directly in Google Search or on Google Maps.
Advantage: guests visit your website and book directly, with no commission fees.
Disadvantages: configuration is only possible through paid partner integrations, which incurs additional costs.
Conclusion
Having your own website is an investment that can significantly reduce commission costs and make your business less dependent on large booking platforms.
It is also a way to enhance guest engagement, build trust in your hotel, and develop your own brand in the long term.
If you are planning to create a website or want to update an existing one, it’s important to choose a reliable partner who understands the specifics of the hotel business.
BoWeb helps apartment and hotel owners in the Czech Republic create modern websites with a booking system, online payments, calendar integration, and full SEO optimisation.
We also set up Google Business, Google Ads, Google Hotel Ads, and assist with advertising so that you start receiving direct bookings from the very first weeks.
Creating your own website is a step towards independence, stable income, and building your brand. If you need support at any stage, from the initial idea to promotion, BoWeb will be a trustworthy partner throughout the process.