Built by a host.
Powered by big-tech engineering.
DirectBookings exists because I needed it myself. As a vacation rental host frustrated by OTA fees and overcomplicated PMS software, I built the tool I wished existed.
Aleh Struneuski
Founder & CEO
The story
I'm a software engineer and vacation rental host. Before starting DirectBookings, I spent years building large-scale systems at companies like EPAM Systems and Amazon Web Services (AWS) — working on cloud infrastructure, distributed systems, and products used by millions.
When I started hosting my own rental property, I hit the same wall every host knows: Airbnb takes 15.5% of every booking, hides your guest data, and you're one policy change away from losing your listing. I wanted my own booking website — but the existing tools were either overengineered enterprise software (Guesty, Hostaway) designed for property managers with 50+ units, or they were basic WordPress plugins that broke every update.
Nothing existed for the independent host with 1-10 properties who just wants: a professional booking website, Stripe payments, calendar sync with Airbnb, and automated check-in. Simple. Reliable. Affordable.
So I built it. With the engineering discipline from AWS (reliability, scalability, security) and the user empathy of someone who actually runs a rental property. Every feature in DirectBookings exists because I needed it as a host — not because a product manager thought it would look good in a demo.
DirectBookings is intentionally focused. No bloated channel managers. No enterprise dashboards with 47 tabs. Just the tools independent hosts need to accept direct bookings, own their guest relationships, and stop paying 15.5% on every reservation.
Engineering background
The tech behind the product
Amazon Web Services
Cloud infrastructure and distributed systems. Built services handling millions of requests. Obsession with reliability and operational excellence.
EPAM Systems
Enterprise software engineering for Fortune 500 clients. Full-stack development, system architecture, and delivery at scale.
Vacation Rental Host
Running my own short-term rental property. I use DirectBookings daily. Every pain point I solve is one I've experienced firsthand.
Product principles
Built for small hosts, not property managers
1-10 properties. No enterprise complexity. Every feature earns its place by being useful to individual hosts.
Reliability over features
Your booking website needs to work 24/7. AWS-grade infrastructure. No downtime for 'new feature releases'.
Fair, transparent pricing
$9/month. No percentage of bookings. No hidden fees. No 'contact us for pricing'. You see exactly what you pay.
Own your data
Your guest emails, booking history, and reviews belong to you. Export anytime. No vendor lock-in.
Solve real problems
Every feature addresses something I struggled with as a host. No feature creep. No enterprise checkbox features.
Questions? Feedback? Just say hi.
I read every message personally. If something's broken or you need a feature, I want to hear about it.
Try DirectBookings freeTurn one-time guests into repeat direct bookings
Most hosts never see their guests again. Every OTA stay should become your next direct booking — your website accepts commission-free reservations, your WiFi keeps your brand in front of guests long after checkout.
Guest books on Airbnb
You pay the OTA commission
Stays at your property
Their only visit — for now
Connects to your WiFi
Branded splash page
Email captured
Added to your guest CRM
Automated follow-up
Offers & seasonal discounts
Books directly next trip
Zero OTA commission
Direct Booking Website
Accept commission-free reservations from day one. Your own branded site with payments, calendar sync, and automated check-in — live in 15 minutes.
- Branded booking website with custom domain
- Stripe payments — zero booking fees
- Calendar sync with Airbnb & VRBO
- Pre-signed rental agreements & waivers
Guest WiFi Marketing
Stop letting guests disappear after checkout. Capture their email when they log on to WiFi, then automatically invite them back to book direct next time.
- Branded WiFi splash page & guest email capture
- Automated rebooking campaigns & seasonal offers
- Repeat-guest discounts to win the direct booking
- Guest CRM across all your properties — any router
One repeat booking often pays for your subscription many times over — there's no OTA commission the second time around. Bundle subscribers save 30% on Guest WiFi Marketing.
Try DirectBookings for your property.
$9/month. Built by a host who understands what you need. 5-day free trial.
No credit card required · Cancel anytime