Holiday let websites that take direct bookings
I build websites for holiday cottages, B&Bs, glamping sites and tourism businesses in Powys and Mid Wales. They show off your place properly and let guests book with you directly, so more of every stay stays with you.
Holiday letting at a glance
15.5%
is the host-only service fee most Airbnb hosts now pay; UK hosts switched in June 2026
Source: Rental Scale-Up, 2026
4.8 million
visitors came to Powys in 2022, worth £1.12 billion to the local economy
Source: STEAM 2022, Powys County Council
182 days
a year is how often a Welsh holiday let must be let to be rated as a business, currently under review
Source: Welsh Government, 2026
Why direct bookings matter
Keep more of every booking
On a £1,000 week, a 15.5% fee is £155. When a guest books through your own website, you only pay your card processing fees, so even a handful of direct bookings a year can cover the cost of a website.
Build your own guest list
Guests who book through a big platform belong to that platform. When they book with you, you can welcome them back next year, offer returning-guest discounts and fill quiet weeks with an email.
Keep the big sites too
Airbnb and Booking.com are great for being found. Your website works alongside them: a calendar that syncs with your listings avoids double bookings, and returning guests and word-of-mouth referrals can book with you directly.
Show what makes your place special
Listings all look the same. Your own site can tell the story of your place, the walks from the door, the dark skies and the pub down the lane, with photos that do it justice.
What your website can include
Everything a guest needs to book with confidence
Every project is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Depending on your business, your website can include:
- A live availability calendar and secure online booking
- Calendar sync with Airbnb, Booking.com and other listings
- Room, cottage or pitch pages with honest photos
- Clear prices, deposits and cancellation terms
- A local area guide: walks, food and things to do
- Your reviews from past guests
- Gift vouchers and returning-guest offers
- Fast loading for guests on patchy rural signal
How I can help
Websites and photos for places to stay
Web design
A fast, clear website planned around the questions your customers actually ask, that you can update yourself.
Brand photography
Bright, honest photos of your rooms, views and surroundings, taken in the right light so guests can picture themselves there.
Local SEO
A complete Google Business Profile and pages that clearly say where you are and who you serve.
Website care
Updates, backups and friendly help after launch, so your site keeps working while you get on with the day job.
Questions
Holiday let websites: common questions
Can my website take bookings and payments?
Yes. I set up a booking system with a live calendar and secure card payments or deposits, so guests can check dates and book without emailing back and forth.
Will I still need Airbnb and Booking.com?
Probably, yes, at least at first. They help new guests find you. Your own website lets returning guests and referrals book directly, and a synced calendar keeps everything in step so you don’t get double bookings.
How much could I save with direct bookings?
It depends on your prices and how many guests book directly. As an example, Airbnb’s host-only fee is 15.5% for most hosts, so a £1,000 week booked directly saves around £155, minus your card processing fees.
Do I need to register my holiday let in Wales?
Anyone in Wales who takes bookings for overnight stays will need to register with the Welsh Revenue Authority. Registration opened in October 2026 and must be done by 31 March 2027. Councils can also choose to charge a visitor levy from April 2027. Check the Welsh Revenue Authority and Powys County Council for the latest. This is general information, not tax advice.
Can you photograph my cottage?
Yes. Good photos are the single biggest thing that sells a stay. I photograph rooms, outdoor spaces and the surrounding area, and plan the shoot for the best light.
You might also find useful
Sources
- Rental Scale-Up: Airbnb’s 15.5% host-only fee
- Beyond Pricing: How much booking channels charge UK hosts (October 2026)
- Powys County Council: STEAM Annual Report 2022
- Welsh Government: Classification of self-catering properties for local tax purposes
- ACCA: Visitor Levy in Wales (September 2026)
Figures checked October 2026.
Great ideas grow here
Let's make something worth finding.
Tell me a little about your business and what you need, and I'll get back to you for a proper chat.