Hostaway centralizes communication from Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO and direct bookings, so you can configure registration once and let Hostaway deliver it. Best Guest connects in two ways:

  • Automated messages — Hostaway Automated Messages deliver your registration link.
  • iCal sync — Best Guest imports every reservation Hostaway manages.

Estimated setup time: 5–10 minutes.

Before you start

  • An active Hostaway account with connected channels
  • A Best Guest account
  • Your Best Guest registration link, e.g.
https://app.bestguestapp.com/l/your-listing?channel=hostaway

(Use your real link. ?channel=hostaway records the reservation origin.)

Using the right link: every listing — each apartment, room, tent, RV, or whatever counts as your smallest bookable unit — has its own unique registration link. If you manage more than one listing, double-check you’re copying the correct one. Find all your links in Best Guest under Properties → [property] → Listings → Copy listing link, or grab them during the Listings step of onboarding.

Path 1 — Automated message

  1. Go to Dashboard → Messages → Automated messages.
  2. Create automated message named “Best Guest Registration”.
  3. Recipient Guest, trigger 2 days before check-in (1 day for short stays; immediately for same-day).
  4. Delivery channel: start with Booking channel (add email later).
  5. Condition: reservation status Confirmed (keep it simple at first).
  6. Paste the template and insert Hostaway’s guest-name field from the editor.
Hello (guest first name),

Before arrival, please complete your online guest registration:
https://app.bestguestapp.com/l/your-listing

The process takes under 2 minutes. We look forward to welcoming you.

Best Guest automatically reminds the main guest if they started registration but haven’t finished it. If a guest never opens the form at all, though, that reminder can’t reach them — so it’s worth scheduling a second Automated Message, timed 1 day after arrival instead of before it, using only the link:

Hello (guest first name),

Everything alright? Did you fill out all your forms and is the data correct?
Please follow this link if you still need to add/change some information:
https://app.bestguestapp.com/l/your-listing

Path 2 — iCal sync

To import Hostaway reservations into Best Guest’s Reservation Verification, copy the property’s iCal / calendar export link from Hostaway and paste it into Best Guest. Reservations from every connected channel then appear in one calendar, with missing registrations flagged.

  • Reservation confirmed → confirmation only
  • 2 days before arrival → registration link
  • Arrival day → access instructions
  • 1 day after arrival → reminder for guests who haven’t completed registration
  • Day before departure → checkout reminder

Avoid combining registration with access instructions. For large portfolios, group automations (e.g. one per portfolio) to keep reporting clean.

Troubleshooting

Message didn’t send — check the automation is enabled, listing assignment, conditions, and trigger timing.

Behaves differently across channels — some OTAs impose their own messaging rules; test a direct, Airbnb and Booking.com reservation through Hostaway.

Reservation missing in Best Guest — verify the URL and ?channel=hostaway.

Next steps

Informational only

This page is provided for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Rates, deadlines and exemptions are set by law and municipal ordinances and can change — always verify current requirements with your municipality or a qualified advisor.