Create a rental website: top tools, costs & tips (2026)

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Top 3 website tools for holiday rentals

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Are you looking to create a website for your holiday apartment or holiday home? In this guide, I walk you through both options — building it yourself using a website builder or WordPress, or having it created by professional service providers.

For each approach, you’ll find suitable recommendations that work particularly well for owners of holiday apartments, holiday homes, tiny houses or small guesthouses. I also explain what costs to expect and what really matters when it comes to planning, design, data protection and related topics.

Practical examples help you avoid common mistakes — whether you’re promoting a single property or managing an entire holiday complex.

• Top website builders
• Get a web design quote

In this article:

• Introduction
• Website builder
• Web designer
• Costs
• Planning
• Legal basics
• Conclusion
• Questions & answers

At a glance

• Methods: You can either create a website for your holiday rental yourself or have it built professionally. Website builders and WordPress are also suitable for beginners.
• Key point: A strong website shows authentic photos, includes complete property descriptions, clear booking and contact information — and, if helpful, tips for things to do nearby. Don’t forget the legal basics such as a legal notice and data protection information.
• Costs: If you build it yourself, prices start at around £5 per month. A professionally built website typically starts at around £2,000.

A convincing website is an ideal complement to booking platforms. Whether you build your site yourself using a website builder or WordPress, or you prefer to work with a professional service provider — here you’ll find recommendations for both routes. I also show you which tools are particularly suitable for holiday apartments, holiday homes or small guesthouses — and what it typically costs.

Typical goals:

• Increase visibility and become more independent from platforms
• Enable direct bookings via your website
• Build trust through a professional presentation
• Reduce enquiries with clearly structured information
• Appeal to applicants or cleaning staff

A good website for your rental offer needs more than attractive photos. In this guide, I also show you how to meet basic legal requirements and plan your content in a sensible way.

 – Jörn Brien, WebsiteAdvisor.co.uk

Well-designed holiday rental websites

City HostelHoliday Home with Sea ViewBed & BreakfastBarbosaSuffolk

City Hostel

The “City Hostel” template is a modern design that stands out with detailed photos and short, clear text. In addition to presenting the hostel effectively, the website design includes several useful features.

Nearby attractions and leisure activities are clearly listed. There is also a detailed description of how to get there, along with an integrated contact form. Guests can contact the hostel owners directly via a built-in chat function.

The only missing element is a booking system — but with Wix, this can easily be added to any template. The template is also suitable for holiday apartments or holiday homes.

Go to Wix*

Holiday Home with Sea View

When looking at the Villa Aphrodite example in the Wix template “Holiday Home with Sea View”, you instantly feel like travelling to Greece and staying there for a few nights. This impression comes not only from the appealing images and concise descriptions, but also from the overall design.

The layout makes booking straightforward. A booking button is clearly visible in the main menu. The booking system includes availability, room descriptions and prices.

This Wix template is therefore a good example of a holiday home or holiday apartment website with an integrated availability overview. The best holiday rental websites usually include a booking system like this.

An integrated Google map shows the location of Villa Aphrodite on Mykonos. Guests can get in touch via a built-in contact form, and the phone number is clearly displayed.

Go to Wix*

Bed & Breakfast

The “Bed & Breakfast” website design, also available in the Wix website builder, is a clean and professional-looking one-page layout.

A booking option is prominently placed in the main menu and near the top of the page, including a clearly structured booking system.

Additional features include an image gallery, the option to display guest reviews and a contact form. Links to TripAdvisor and social media platforms are also clearly integrated into the design.

Here as well, the template can easily be adapted for use as a holiday apartment website.

Go to Wix*

Barbosa

The website builder provider Squarespace is known for its particularly polished designs. This strength is evident in the “Barbosa” template, which works well for hotels as well as holiday rentals.

Large-format images and integrated image galleries with short descriptive texts create a strong first impression, supported by guest reviews.

A booking option is included, with room descriptions and pricing information. However, there is no availability calendar. Instead, bookings are made via an extended contact form that includes the number of guests and the desired dates.

The contact section features a Google map showing the location, as well as address and phone number details. Social media links are also integrated.

Go to Squarespace*

Suffolk

The “Suffolk” template from Squarespace offers a modern and stylish design. The “About us” section includes subpages that lead to information about the rooms, their amenities and prices.

A large “Book now” button appears several times on the homepage, including in the main menu. Guests can submit booking requests with details about travellers and preferred dates. There is no availability calendar showing real-time occupancy.

The design stands out for its spacious gallery layout. An integrated Google map, social media links and a contact form are also included in the template.

Go to Squarespace*

You can use these landlord websites as inspiration for your own homepage. I’ve included both self-built sites created with website builders or WordPress, as well as professionally designed websites by agencies or freelancers.

Take a close look at which content and features matter most to you — and which style fits your property.

Holiday rental website must-haves

The best websites stand out for usability, clarity and trust. Certain features not only make your work easier, but also help guests book with confidence.

• Booking system: Availability calendar and clear price overview
• Multilingual setup: For example, English and another language via a language switch
• Image presentation: High-quality photo gallery and, if available, a floor plan
• Contact options: Contact form and clearly visible contact details
• Content updates: Blog or news section for updates, events or local tips
• Legal basics: Cookie banner and a compliant data protection notice

Ways to build a holiday rental website

Building a website for your holiday home or apartment yourself is easier than many people expect — and significantly cheaper than hiring an agency. That said, both approaches come with their own strengths and limitations.

In this guide, I show you which option is the best fit for your situation — including tested tools, practical helpers, implementation tips and an overview of the costs you can expect.

Creating a website for your holiday rental yourself is easier than ever today — and in most cases significantly cheaper than hiring an agency or a web designer.

The main requirement is that you feel reasonably confident using a computer and the internet, and that you’re willing to invest some time in building and maintaining your site. In return, you keep full control over the design, the content and the ongoing costs.

How to build a holiday rental website with a website builder

You can create a website for your holiday rental without relying on an external provider. With a website builder, even beginners can design professional-looking and reliable websites for holiday accommodation.

You don’t need coding skills or a large budget. Basic computer knowledge and an internet connection are enough.

The builders presented here offer a wide range of designer-made templates specifically created for holiday rentals. Using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can customise these templates directly in your browser.

All website builders include designs that cover the essential features required for holiday rental websites. The templates are also flexible enough to be adapted to your needs — even if they were not originally designed for holiday rentals.

A virtual assistant helps guide you through the design process. You can customise pages and features to suit your requirements. Your creative freedom ranges from choosing colours and fonts to changing the overall page layout.

Use strong images, videos and clear text to present your holiday rentals effectively. It’s a good idea to gather all relevant photos and information about your property before you start building the website.

Creating the website and its content can be even faster if you choose a builder with integrated AI support. These tools can help generate content for professional websites, including those for holiday apartments and holiday homes.

Once your holiday rental website is live, website builders support you with built-in marketing and SEO tools, helping to improve your visibility in Google search results.

Pros and cons of website builders

• Advantages: Easy to get started
• Speed: Websites can go live quickly
• Quality: Professional results thanks to high-quality design templates
• Costs: Affordable plans (often cancellable monthly) and free trials available
• Flexibility: Optional add-ons such as blogs or online shop features
• Efficiency: AI assistants simplify website and content creation
• Support: Help available from support teams when issues arise

• Limitations: Restrictions when building more complex websites
• Extras: Some extensions come at an additional cost
• Dependency: Ongoing reliance on a single provider

Most templates already include the standard features needed for a holiday rental website. You can customise the design to match your preferences.

Additional features such as a blog or newsletter can be added later. Even after your website is published, changes and updates can be made easily at any time.

Top pick (best overall): Flexible WordPress with easy AI setup

IONOS’s newer WordPress hosting aims to combine the simplicity of a website builder with the advantages of WordPress, the world’s most widely used website system. With its built-in AI setup, it can feel almost as easy as a website builder.

That can make it suitable for beginners who don’t have much experience building websites. The setup assistant guides you step by step through installing WordPress and suggests a practical selection of themes and plugins.

One key difference here is the built-in AI assistant, which can generate an initial WordPress website for you. It helps you take care of the most important settings quickly and find a suitable template. Automatic updates and daily backups can also provide extra peace of mind.

Another plus is customer support, available 24/7, including phone support rather than relying only on chat or email.

Pricing for IONOS WordPress hosting starts at around £1 per month for the first six months, then around £5 per month afterwards. A domain and an email mailbox are included in this price.

Pros of IONOS WordPress hosting

• WordPress installed securely in one click
• AI assistant for building your website
• A professional-looking design within minutes
• Designs well optimised for mobile phones
• All the benefits of WordPress as the world’s most widely used website CMS
• Flexible to extend with plugins
• Blogs or online shops possible
• Switching hosting provider later is possible

Cons of IONOS WordPress hosting

• Less design freedom than drag-and-drop website builders
• The wide range of features can still feel overwhelming for beginners, despite the guided setup

Pricing

• “Start” plan: from £3/month for the first 6 months, then £5/month
• “Grow” plan: from £1/month for the first 6 months, then £10/month
• All plans include your own domain and an email address

Here you can find our detailed IONOS WordPress hosting review.

Whether it’s a tech-savvy friend, a freelancer you find online, or an agency specialising in tourism — there are many ways to have a professional website built for your holiday rental.

But how can you tell who delivers good work — and what is a reasonable price for a solid website? I reviewed different tools and providers, from budget online platforms to specialised agencies. I looked closely at the key points: Does the design feel professional? Is the technical setup done properly? And does the price match the service?

You’ll find all findings and recommendations in this guide — specifically for owners of holiday apartments, holiday homes, tiny houses or small guesthouses.

Before you hire someone, think about this

If you don’t have the time or motivation to build your website yourself, working with a professional can be the better option. To avoid ending up with a half-finished solution, good preparation is essential.

The clearer you are about what you need, the smoother the collaboration will be — and the better the website will fit your rental offer.

What to consider:

• Who do you want to reach — families, couples, international guests?
• What matters most to you: booking options, design, lots of photos?
• What content do you need (for example property details, local area info, prices, contact)?
• What page structure makes sense (home, gallery, booking, directions, etc.)?
• Which functions are important (calendar, enquiry form, multilingual setup, etc.)?
• Do you already have a logo, specific colours or fonts?
• Should the site work particularly well on mobile?
• What is the maximum you want (and can) spend?

Practical tips:

• Create a briefing: Write down what you need — for example goals, design preferences and required features (contact form, gallery, map integration, etc.).
• Plan regular check-ins: Ask to see interim versions and give feedback before everything is final.
• Prepare your materials: Clarify early what you need to provide — such as text, images, a logo or colour ideas.
• Plan realistic deadlines: Allow buffer time — in day-to-day hosting, unexpected things often come up.
• Discuss budget openly: Clear agreements on price and payment terms help prevent misunderstandings.
• Get everything in writing: A detailed written quote protects both sides from disputes later on.

Top pick (9.1 of 10): Netfame

In our comparison, Netfame stood out as a particularly capable option, combining bespoke premium design and WordPress expertise. The agency says it has delivered more than 1,000 websites across a wide range of industries. Transparent pricing was a key factor in its top position.

Many of its projects are showcased in Netfame’s portfolio and come across as modern and cleanly built. Each client receives a bespoke website design.

Another important point is its focus on WordPress as the technical foundation. Using the world’s most widely used website CMS helps keep your website easy to extend over time, and it usually means you can make content changes yourself without much trouble.

Netfame also states that its work meets GDPR / UK GDPR requirements, helping to reduce legal risk for a business website.

On-page SEO optimisation is included in the base package to support search visibility on Google.

Optional add-ons such as logo and brand design, copywriting and professional photography round out the package. Overall, Netfame combines design, build and advice in a full-service WordPress setup.

Strengths of Netfame

• Bespoke premium design
• Many positive references and completed projects
• Transparent pricing
• Professional WordPress implementation
• GDPR / UK GDPR-aligned setup
• On-page optimisation for Google

Weaknesses of Netfame

• Additional costs for services such as logo design or professional photography

Pricing

• Landing page (1 landing page + legal pages and contact) — £2,990
• Mini website (5 pages) — £3,990
• Basic website (10 pages) — £4,990
• Premium website (15 pages) — £5,990
• VIP website (25 pages) — £7,990

Save £300 with Netfame

Mention the discount code “WEBSITEADVISOR300” in your project enquiry and receive a £300 credit.

• Get a Web Design Quote
• Visit the Netfame website

The cost of a website depends heavily on what you need and how extensive your site is meant to be. As a general rule: the simpler the project, the lower the cost.

For many landlords, a straightforward website is perfectly sufficient. You present your holiday apartment or holiday home, show a few attractive photos, provide information about amenities and the surrounding area — and make it easy for interested guests to contact you or book directly. Websites like this can be created yourself for just a few pounds per month, for example using a website builder.

Costs increase if you need more advanced features — such as an integrated booking system with availability calendar, multilingual content, automatic price calculations, newsletter tools or a custom design by an agency. Professional photography, SEO optimisation or professionally written text can also add to the overall cost.

Can I build it for free?

Yes, there are tools that allow you to create a basic website at no cost.

However, this usually comes with significant limitations: you typically have to use a subdomain such as “myholidayrental.toolname.com”, your site may display ads, and important features like a dedicated email address are often not available.

If you want a professional presence that guests can genuinely trust, it’s worth budgeting for a small monthly investment of a few pounds.

Website costs at a glance

Overview: This table gives you a first idea of the minimum costs you’re likely to face:

Now that you have a suitable domain and the right tool, you can start planning your website.

A good first step is to outline the basic structure of your holiday rental site. This makes the design work much easier later on.

Follow these steps:

1. What features and information do visitors expect to find?
2. How can you organise features and content in the most sensible way?
3. How can you represent the structure clearly in a sitemap?ap abbilden?

Create a sitemap

I recommend visualising the structure of your holiday rental website in a sitemap. It makes planning the site much easier.

You can simply sketch the sitemap with pen and paper or note it down on your computer.

• Level 1: Homepage

• Level 2: 5–7 key pages (for example booking, contact)

• Level 3: Detail pages (to split up longer information, such as local area tips)

For a simple holiday rental website, you don’t need more levels. Additional layers only become useful if you want to build a more complex site.

Keep your sitemap safe. You can use it as a blueprint when setting up menus and pages in your website builder.

This way, you can design your site to match what’s needed to present holiday rentals clearly — and to suit your personal preferences.

Plan done? Register your domain name!

Once you’ve finished planning your holiday rental website, you shouldn’t wait too long before registering your domain. Many website builders do offer free plans — but these usually only include a so-called subdomain, for example:

my-holiday-rental.toolname.com

This doesn’t look particularly professional and can confuse potential guests. That’s why it’s worth securing a proper domain straight away — for example:

www.mustermann-holiday-rental.co.uk

This immediately makes your site appear more credible and trustworthy, whether you’re renting out a single apartment, a holiday home or multiple properties.

You’ll also be able to use a matching email address, such as:

contact@mustermann-holiday-rental.co.uk

This looks far more professional than a generic address from Gmail or similar providers.

By the way: I’ve put together a step-by-step guide to registering a domain, including more detailed advice on choosing a good domain name.

Always include legal details and privacy policy

As soon as you operate a website for your holiday rental, data protection regulations apply — and with them certain obligations.

You’ll need a proper legal notice, a privacy policy and, in most cases, a cookie banner if you use tools such as analytics services or embedded maps.

These requirements apply regardless of whether you rent out your property privately or as a business — and failure to comply can lead to legal issues.

Tip: To get your legal pages right, start with the ICO’s free privacy notice generator (UK GDPR) and make sure your “Company information” is complete.

More legal requirements to know

If your website allows bookings or includes a contact form, you process personal data — and you must inform visitors about this in a transparent way. An SSL certificate (https://) is also mandatory.

Here is an overview of the most important general requirements for legally compliant websites:

¹ Under UK GDPR, whether you need a DPO depends on what you do with personal data (e.g. large-scale processing or sensitive data), not simply the number of employees.

How to create a holiday rental website (guide):

You can either build your website yourself using a website builder or WordPress — or have it created professionally. In both cases, you’ll need good content, strong images and a clear structure. In this guide, you’ll find step-by-step instructions and practical recommendations.