Question 1

What is a direct booking website for vacation rentals?

Accepted Answer

A direct booking website allows vacation rental owners to accept bookings directly from guests without going through OTAs like Airbnb or VRBO. This saves 15-20% in OTA fees and gives you ownership of the guest relationship.

Question 2

Can BuffStays connect to multiple property management systems?

Accepted Answer

Yes, BuffStays specializes in multi-PMS integration. You can connect Hostaway, Guesty, OwnerRez, Hospitable, Lodgify, Smoobu, and more—all to a single branded booking website. Each property syncs with its own PMS while guests see one unified experience.

Question 3

How much can I save by using direct bookings instead of Airbnb?

Accepted Answer

Airbnb and VRBO typically charge 15-20% in fees per booking. On a $200/night property, that's $30+ per night going to OTAs. With direct bookings, you keep that revenue (minus standard payment processing fees of around 2.9%).

Question 4

Will my calendars stay synchronized across all platforms?

Accepted Answer

Yes, BuffStays provides real-time calendar synchronization. When a booking comes in from any channel (your direct site, Airbnb, or others), all calendars update within seconds. This prevents double bookings and keeps rates consistent.

Question 5

What PMS systems does BuffStays integrate with?

Accepted Answer

BuffStays integrates with Hostaway, Hospitable, OwnerRez, Guesty, Lodgify, Smoobu, and more. We're constantly adding new integrations. If your PMS isn't listed, contact us—we may be able to add it.

Blog

How Direct Bookings Save Hosts Money (Even With PMS Fees)