Why Stayoa instead of Airbnb or Booking.com?

With Stayoa, you receive 100% of the booking amount – no commissions. You have full control over design, pricing, and availability. Your booking page is SEO-optimized and visible to Google, leading to more direct inquiries. Independence from platforms means more freedom and higher profit margins.

How do direct bookings work without commissions?

Stayoa creates your own booking website with integrated payment system. Guests book directly with you – 100% of the money goes to your account. We use Stripe Connect for secure payments. No hidden fees, no per-booking commissions. You only pay the monthly platform fee.

How does synchronization with other platforms work?

Via iCal links, your Stayoa calendar automatically syncs with Airbnb, Booking.com, and other platforms. New bookings are imported in real-time, preventing double bookings. The synchronization runs in the background – you don't need to do anything manually.

Can I use my own domain?

Yes, from the Pro plan you can use your own domain. You keep your brand, and your guests see your own domain instead of a subdomain. We support you with the setup and ensure automatic SSL encryption.

Is my booking page SEO-optimized?

Yes, all Stayoa websites are fully SEO-optimized. Your page will be indexed by Google and can appear in search results. We use Schema.org structured data, optimized meta tags, and a clear page structure. This leads to more organic traffic and direct inquiries.

Stayoa is designed for vacation rentals, villas, and boutique accommodations that want to achieve more direct bookings through their own website. Perfect for hosts who want to be independent, maintain their brand control, and avoid the high commissions from platforms.

Blog

Inside Stayoa

The Stayoa Blog covers direct booking, own booking websites, and independent vacation rentals. We share insights, best practices, and strategies for hosts who want to achieve more direct bookings.

All posts (3)

Economics

Direct Booking vs. Platform 2026: What Does a Booking Actually Cost You?

Airbnb charges up to 15.5% host fee, Vrbo 8%, Booking.com 15–25%. What's actually left from a CHF 2,000 booking — and when does direct booking start paying off?

LMLionel Murbach · May 25, 2026 · 5 min read

Growth

Direct Bookings Matter

Direct bookings are becoming critical for vacation rentals. Why owning your website, reducing platform dependency and improving Google visibility matters more than ever.

Jan 1 · 3 min read

Product

Why we built Stayoa

Stayoa was built to give hosts back control over their bookings, pricing and guest relationships.

Dec 20 · 2 min read