Why OC Adventure Homes Chose Direct Bookings: A Win-Win for Guests and Business Growth

Short-term rental businesses are constantly evolving, and one growing trend is the shift toward direct bookings. For OC Adventure Homes, located near Disneyland in Southern California, this shift has been an essential part of their business strategy. With over 20 properties, OC Adventure Homes has steadily grown over the past seven years. Their decision to incorporate a direct booking website alongside traditional OTA platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo has been a game-changer in their business journey.

Here’s how OC Adventure Homes made this shift, why it’s been successful, and what they’ve learned along the way.

Why OC Adventure Homes Launched a Direct Booking Website

One of the biggest drivers behind OC Adventure Homes’ decision to create a direct booking website was the desire for more independence and less reliance on OTAs. Over time, they faced a few tech issues and complaints that caused listings to go offline unexpectedly. This disruption made it clear how heavily their business was relying on platforms they didn’t control. A direct booking site offered a way to mitigate that risk, providing a backup channel for guests.

Beyond control and security, direct bookings also created a financial win-win. Guests could pay lower fees, while OC Adventure Homes could earn more by cutting out the middleman, without the OTA fees that typically cut into profits. This direct line of communication with guests also allowed OC Adventure Homes to offer special discounts and promotions—something that’s impossible to do through most OTAs.

The Setup Process: From Templates to Widgets

When OC Adventure Homes first launched their direct booking website, they chose Hospitable’s site templates. The setup was simple—just a few clicks—and the site was live. The ease of use allowed them to focus on their core business while the website handled direct bookings. In fact, within a day of launching, OC Adventure Homes received their first booking through the platform, proving the immediate value of offering direct bookings.

More recently, OC Adventure Homes has experimented with an external site using a widget, testing if this might improve conversion rates. While this approach required more setup, the flexibility to customize the site allowed for branding adjustments. Despite the additional effort, the initial experience of using Hospitable’s built-in templates demonstrated how easy it is to get a direct booking website up and running without the need for complicated development.

Managing Direct Bookings: Is It Riskier?

One of the initial concerns OC Adventure Homes had when moving away from OTAs was losing the protection provided by platforms like Airbnb. However, they quickly realized that direct bookings often attract better-quality guests. These are travelers motivated enough to seek out and book directly through a website, which means they are usually more committed and responsible.

In their experience, direct guests have been some of the best, with no issues or damages reported so far. To safeguard themselves, OC Adventure Homes uses a strong rental agreement and is exploring options for additional damage protection features, like adding a damage deposit.

The Marketing Side of Direct Bookings

For OC Adventure Homes, social media has been key to driving traffic to their direct booking site. With a presence on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, they frequently share content showcasing their unique properties and fun experiences. They post about three times a week to keep their brand top of mind for potential travelers. Although travel isn’t an instant-purchase decision, consistent content helps OC Adventure Homes remain visible when guests start planning their next vacation.

Their direct booking website is linked to a custom homepage, allowing them to direct potential guests either to their direct site or their listings on Airbnb. This flexibility ensures guests have a variety of options while also providing OC Adventure Homes with valuable data on where visitors are coming from.

Future Plans and Growth with Direct Bookings

Looking ahead, OC Adventure Homes is focused on scaling their business further by expanding into email marketing. While this is a new venture, they recognize the potential of email marketing to strengthen guest relationships and drive repeat bookings. Collecting email addresses through their direct site will open a new avenue for engaging with past guests and building a loyal customer base.

As OC Adventure Homes continues to grow, their direct booking website will remain a cornerstone of their strategy, giving them the freedom to operate independently, offer better deals to guests, and ensure the long-term stability of their business.

A Final Thought: The Simplicity and Power of Direct Bookings

For OC Adventure Homes, the decision to implement direct bookings has been a powerful move toward building a more sustainable and profitable short-term rental business. With Hospitable’s easy setup and powerful tools, OC Adventure Homes can focus on what they do best—providing memorable stays for guests—while enjoying the benefits of lower fees and more control over their business. As they continue to grow, direct bookings will play a key role in their success.