1. Quickstart Configuration Flow

Setting up Modern Hotel Booking requires no developer experience. Once activated, the plugin creates the necessary database schema to manage room records. Follow this core 5-step quickstart checklist to launch your direct booking channel:

1. Create a room category (e.g. “Ocean View Suite”) via the **Rooms > Room Categories** menu.
2. Add inventory by inputting distinct room numbers inside **Rooms > Add New Room**.
3. Set base pricing rules and minimum stay limits inside the room configuration options.
4. Embed the booking form using the block editor or paste the shortcode `[modern_hotel_calendar]` on your reservation page.
5. Connect your Stripe or PayPal account to begin accepting live checkouts instantly.

2. Accommodation & Inventory Management

WordPress FSE users can customize the display of room cards on the frontend using blocks. When adding a room type, input descriptive attributes such as total square footage, max capacity (adults and children), bed types, and available amenities (WiFi, pool, bath, AC).

Our room system splits **Room Categories** (the marketing container) from **Rooms** (the actual physical assets). For instance, if you have 10 identical “Deluxe Rooms”, you only define the category once and assign 10 individual room IDs. This enables high-concurrency booking checking and prevents scheduling conflicts.

Fig 2.1: The Room inventory control table in the free version showing active room categories and status check updates.

Fig 2.2: Room inventory dashboard in the Pro edition displaying the status, rates, and occupancy calendar shortcut links for each unit.

3. Setting Up Advanced Pricing & Multi-Date Select

Modern Hotel Booking Pro features a robust pricing rules engine. You can configure seasonal rates, weekend markup multipliers, stays limits, and holiday pricing multipliers.

Interactive Multi-Date Calendar Editor: Pro users can edit pricing directly on a visual, interactive calendar dashboard. Rather than entering dates manually in a list, you simply click and drag to select any range of dates. A popup interface allows you to change base rates, override restrictions, and add special discounts for all selected days simultaneously.

Fig 3.1: The interactive pricing calendar in the Pro edition. Select multiple dates on the grid to change nightly rates and booking rules instantly.

4. Payments, Gateways & Deposit Rules

Accept credit cards and alternative payment methods directly. Stripe, PayPal, and Revolut are fully integrated to support direct reservation checkouts.

Stripe Checkout: Input your publishable and secret keys from your Stripe Dashboard under **Settings > Payments**. Enable **Stripe Checkout** to support global cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Link. Make sure to paste the Stripe Webhook URL back into your Stripe settings to automatically mark bookings as “Paid” once the charge clears.

Fig 4.1: Payments settings panel in the Pro version showing configuration fields for Stripe API credentials, Webhook endpoints, and currency settings.

Configuring Down-Payments & Deposits: You don’t have to require 100% payments at the time of booking. Inside the **Settings > Deposits** tab, you can set custom rules. Choose between a percentage deposit (e.g. 20% down-payment required to lock the room) or a flat fee (e.g. $100 security deposit). The remaining balance is marked as “Due on Arrival” and logged in the invoice.

Fig 4.2: Deposit options tab in settings. Define deposit types (fixed amount or percentage) and payment rules.

5. 2-Way Calendar Synchronization (iCal)

Prevent overlapping bookings across Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO. Our synchronization engine matches calendars automatically using standard iCal URLs:

1. Navigate to **Rooms > Sync Calendars** inside your WordPress dashboard.
2. Copy the unique calendar export URL for the desired Room Category.
3. Paste this URL into the “iCal Import” settings of your Airbnb or Booking.com host account.
4. Export the Airbnb/Booking calendar feed URL, and add it as an “External Sync Source” inside the plugin dashboard.

Fig 5.1: iCal Synch settings panel in the Pro version showing connections for Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO import/export feeds.

6. Deploying the 24/7 AI Receptionist & Kids Mode

The AI Concierge functions as a digital front desk assistant. It reads your site’s room pricing, policies (e.g. check-in rules, pet rules, cancellations), and local guide content to assist guests.

To configure: Navigate to **Settings > AI Receptionist**. Input your property’s custom rules (such as breakfast details or pool guidelines) under the **Knowledge Base** tab. Enable the floating chat widget, and it will overlay automatically on all frontend room pages.

Fig 6.1: AI Concierge Persona rules setting tab in the Pro edition. Enables you to adjust receptionist voice tone, customize answers, and input key policies.

Configuring Child Pricing & Kids Mode: Under the Room Type configuration, you can activate child age options. Define the child capacity of the room, input the age threshold below which children stay free (e.g. under 5 years old), and specify child rate surcharges for extra young guests.

Fig 6.2: Room Type editor showing child configuration options including Child Capacity, Child Free Age, and Extra Child Rate.

7. Managing Reservations & Booking Edits

Track guest reservations easily via the **Bookings** menu. The plugin displays all current check-ins, check-outs, and pending requests in a list view.

Interactive Booking Editor: Inside the booking dashboard, you can open any reservation card. You can edit guest names, adjust check-in/check-out dates, log manual payments (e.g. if the guest paid in cash), modify transaction logs, and generate PDF invoices or receipts. Changing booking statuses automatically triggers email notification alerts to the guest.

Fig 7.1: Reservation edit card in the Pro dashboard. View payment history, edit room assignment, and update checkout transaction details manually.

8. GDPR Compliance & Guest Data Privacy

Unlike third-party booking systems that store client data in external clouds, Modern Hotel Booking saves all records directly inside your WordPress database database. We provide tools to remain fully GDPR-compliant:

• Consent Checkboxes: Add mandatory checkboxes to checkouts to confirm guest approval of privacy rules.
• PII Data Erasure: Anonymize or permanently delete guest history (names, emails, phone numbers) from the booking records upon formal guest request via the **Settings > GDPR** panel.