How to break free from OTA dependency and take back control | STAY

Running a hotel chain and building a brand that guests trust takes years of hard work. Every detail — from the design of your rooms to the warmth of your staff — is crafted to create a world-class experience.

So, it’s frustrating to see third-party platforms like Booking.com and Expedia not only handle your bookings but also take a significant cut of your revenue.

It’s time to reclaim what’s yours: control over your guest experience, your brand, and your profitability.

The hidden costs of OTA dependency

OTAs are positioned as essential distribution partners — but what do they really bring beyond a reservation?

Do they enhance your guest experience? Build guest loyalty? Help you create personalized journeys?

In most cases, the answer is no. In fact, their presence often creates distance between you and your guests at every step of the journey.

The three biggest drawbacks of relying on OTAs

1. Loss of direct communication

Guest preferences are filtered through a third party, which limits your ability to personalize their stay or deliver proactive service.

2. Missed revenue opportunities

You lose upselling potential. Guests booking through OTAs are less likely to see or accept room upgrades, spa packages, or F&B promotions.

3. Limited control over loyalty and feedback

Reviews live on third-party platforms. Loyalty programs are disconnected from the booking process. Your ability to build a lasting relationship is weakened.

Taking back control with STAY 360

Now imagine replacing all those roadblocks with a solution that lets you own the entire guest journey — from the moment they discover your hotel to the time they leave a review on your platform.

That’s exactly what STAY 360 enables:

A fully connected, hotel-branded SaaS platform that unifies direct booking, communication, upselling, and in-stay services — all in one easy-to-use interface.

The power of direct bookings

When guests book directly through your branded app or web portal:

•  You save on OTA commissions
•  You offer personalized pre-arrival and in-stay services
•  You build long-term loyalty, not just one-time transactions
•  You increase the average revenue per guest through timely, relevant upsells

A digital-first, guest-first experience

With STAY 360, you’re not just enabling direct bookings. You’re creating a connected, seamless guest experience across the entire journey:

• Before arrival: Guests check in, choose their room, and receive tailored pre-stay offers.
  
  
• During the stay: They order room service, book spa treatments, or message the front desk — all from their phone.
  
  
• After check-out: They leave feedback directly, get invited to loyalty programs, and receive exclusive offers for future stays.

Built for growth — no custom dev required

Some hotel groups attempt to build this level of connectivity in-house. But custom technology is expensive, slow, and hard to scale.

STAY 360 is a plug-and-play solution for medium and large hotel chains. Whether you manage a single property or dozens, you’ll have one centralized platform to manage every guest interaction, brand experience, and upsell opportunity.

The future of hospitality is direct, personalized, and connected

OTAs may help fill rooms, but they don’t help build relationships. And in today’s hospitality landscape, relationships are everything. The most forward-thinking hotel brands are already making the shift:

•  From filling rooms to owning the guest journey.
   
• From third-party reliance to direct digital engagement.
  
  
•  From one-time bookings to loyal, repeat guests.

With STAY 360, the tools to break free from OTA dependency already exist.

The only question that remains is:

Will your hotel be among the ones leading the change?