Long-form research, comparison hubs, and tactical playbooks for vacation rental managers building their direct booking funnel. Everything below is free, sourced from real operator data and CraftedStays customer outcomes.
Everything we'd tell a property manager who's just decided to go direct — branding, site launch, demand-driving, conversion playbook. 42 tactical tips compiled into a single reference.
Industry research, head-to-head comparisons, and the playbooks we use with our own customers.
Five property management brands tested across 40 vacation-rental search queries on Google + four AI engines. The conversion-stage gap, the brands winning the AI era, and what to do about it.
Read the studyA 2026 refresh of the major direct booking website builders for vacation rental operators — what each is built for, which PMSes they pair with, and how to pick.
Compare the buildersSide-by-side comparison of every major PMS-paired direct booking website builder — Hospitable Direct, Hostaway Booking Website Pro, Hostfully Sites, OwnerRez Hosted Websites, and CraftedStays.
Open the hubDirect booking websites that pair natively with Hospitable, Guesty, Hostaway, OwnerRez, and Hostfully. See partnership terms, integration depth, and customer outcomes per PMS.
See the partnersDirect booking strategy, AI search and AEO, conversion tactics, brand positioning, and PMS-specific playbooks for vacation rental operators.
Browse the blogLong-form conversations with property managers, PMS founders, and direct booking practitioners. 100+ episodes hosted by Gil Chan.
Listen to the showSee what a purpose-built direct booking platform actually looks like. Setup takes about 25 minutes.
© 2026 CraftedStays. All rights reserved.