If you run a small hotel, guesthouse, B&B, surf camp, or boutique property, your website doesn’t need to be impressive.
It needs to:
- Look trustworthy
- Show your vibe
- Work perfectly on mobile
- Allow direct bookings
That’s it.
Most small hospitality websites fail because owners overcomplicate them. Or worse, overspend on them.
Here’s how to build your first hotel website the smart way.
Step 1: Define who your hotel is for
Before choosing tools or templates, answer this:
Who is your ideal guest?
- Couples?
- Digital nomads?
- Families?
- Retreat groups?
- Backpackers?
- Corporate teams?
Your photos, tone, layout, and even booking flow depend on this.
A family hotel website looks different from a surf lodge.
A retreat center feels different from a city boutique hotel.
Clarity converts.
Step 2: Keep it one page (seriously)
Your first website should be:
- One page
- Clear
- Scrollable
- Mobile-first
You don’t need:
- 12 subpages
- Fancy animations
- A blog
- Custom integrations
You need simplicity.
What tool should you use?
1. Carrd.co (best for simplicity & budget)
- Very cheap
- Drag-and-drop
- One page
- Fast to launch
For most small properties, this is more than enough.
Cost:
- ~$20/year
- Domain: ~$10–20/year
You can build it in a few hours.
2. Squarespace / WordPress / Wix / Tilda
- More flexible
- More complex
- Beautiful hotel templates
Choose this if:
- You want multiple pages
- You plan long-term content
- You want advanced customization
Just don’t overbuild.
3. Vibe coding platforms (Macally, Lovable, Replit)
- Easy to create language versions
- Modern and flexible
- Somewhat technical
- Hosting can be expensive
You don’t need to be a developer — but you must be comfortable experimenting.
If you get help, hire a visual person (photographer/designer), not an IT guy.
The vibe matters more than the code.
4. Custom website? Run away.
If someone proposes:
“Let’s custom design and code your hotel website.”
Run.
5. Website Builder Inside a PMS
Some PMS tools offer website builders.
It sounds convenient.
In reality:
- Terrible flexibility
- Weak design
- Locked into that PMS
- Website is their lowest priority
Your website is your marketing engine.
It shouldn’t be an afterthought.
What to put on your first hotel website
Keep it structured and simple:
1. Headline (critical for SEO)
Include:
- Hotel name
- Location
- Type of property
Example:
Casa Verde – Boutique Hotel in Granada, Spain
This is the most important SEO element.
2. Photo gallery
Professional photos of:
- Rooms
- Exterior
- Common areas
- Food
- Views
- Atmosphere
Budget expectation:
- $300–$1,500 depending on location
People book with their eyes.
3. Your concept
Explain:
- Who you’re for
- What makes you different
- Why someone should choose you
2–4 short paragraphs. Clear and specific.
4. Facilities
Bullet list:
- Free WiFi
- Pool
- Co-working space
- Sauna
- Parking
- Pet-friendly
5. Food & restaurant
If you offer:
- Breakfast
- Café
- Local cuisine
- Farm-to-table
Show it. Food sells rooms.
6. Events & private bookings
Mention clearly if guests can:
- Host retreats
- Organize weddings
- Run workshops
- Book team offsites
This can generate high-value bookings.
7. Contact Information
Must include:
- Phone
Make it easy.
8. Clear booking button
“BOOK NOW” must be:
- Visible
- Mobile-friendly
- Easy to use
Direct booking = higher profit.
9. Social Links
Usually:
- Instagram (most important)
- Facebook (older audience)
- TikTok (younger)
- Pinterest (visual concepts)
Don’t add everything. 1–2 platforms are enough.
10. Address + Google Maps Llink
Add:
- Full address
- Clickable Google Maps link
Do NOT embed the map. It breaks constantly.
Add trust signals
Guests booking direct need reassurance.
Add:
- 2–3 short guest reviews
- “Rated 4.8/5 on Google”
- Clear cancellation policy
- “Secure online payment”
Without trust, guests go back to Booking.com.
Offer a Direct Booking Incentive
Give them a reason not to return to an OTA.
Examples:
- Free breakfast
- Welcome drink
- Flexible cancellation
- Best price guarantee
- Room upgrade if available
Small perks increase direct bookings significantly.
Mobile optimization
60–80% of visitors are on mobile.
Check:
- Buttons are big
- Text is readable
- Booking works smoothly
- WhatsApp is easy to tap
Always test on your own phone.
Website speed
Avoid:
- Huge image files
- Background videos
- Heavy animations
Compress images.
Slow websites lose bookings.
Basic SEO (without an agency)
You don’t need advanced SEO.
Do this:
1. Proper Title
Include:
- Name
- Location
- Type
2. Enough Text
Don’t build a site with only pictures.
Google needs text to understand:
- What you are
- Where you are
- Who you serve
3. Connect with Google Business
Create/optimize your Google Business profile.
Make sure:
- Website link is added
- Address matches
- Photos are uploaded
- Reviews are collected
Google Maps → Website → Direct Booking.
Multilingual strategy
Only create multiple languages if:
- 30%+ of guests speak another language
Start with:
- English
- Your local language
Avoid bad auto-translations.
Add simple analytics
At minimum:
- Install Google Analytics
Know:
- How many visitors
- From which countries
- Mobile vs desktop
- Traffic sources
You don’t need advanced reports — just awareness.
Legal basics
Depending on your country, add:
- Privacy policy
- Cookie notice (especially in EU)
- Cancellation terms
Keep it simple but compliant. Chatgpt will help you.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Overwriting (too much text)
- Only using stock photos
- Hiding booking button
- Slow website
- Embedding broken widgets
- Outdated content
- Overcomplicated navigation
Keep it simple.
Rough budget expectations
- Domain: $10–20/year
- Website tool: $20–200/year
- Photographer: $300–1,500
- PMS connection: depends on provider
You do NOT need a $5,000 custom website.
Final advice
Your website is not:
- A technical project
- A design competition
- A coding exercise
It is:
- Your digital reception desk
- Your first impression
- Your positioning tool
- Your commission saver
Without a website, you’re dependent on OTAs.
With a simple, clear, mobile-friendly website connected to a booking system like Pingotel, you take back control.