Guest WiFi captive portal
for vacation rentals

A captive portal is a web page that appears when a guest connects to your WiFi network before they can access the internet. Instead of just giving out a WiFi password, you show a branded landing page that collects the guest's email address (and optionally name) before granting internet access. This builds your guest email list automatically — every guest who connects to WiFi becomes a marketing contact.

When a guest connects to your vacation rental WiFi, their device automatically opens a branded landing page (the captive portal). The page shows your property branding and asks for their email address to continue to the internet. After entering their email, they get full WiFi access. The email is automatically saved to your guest database for future marketing — direct booking offers, return visit discounts, and seasonal promotions.

Airbnb hides guest email addresses from hosts. A WiFi captive portal captures the real email of every guest who connects to WiFi — including Airbnb and VRBO guests. This builds your marketing list automatically. You can then email past guests about direct booking discounts, seasonal availability, and return visit offers. It's the most effective way to convert OTA guests into repeat direct bookers.

Yes. Airbnb guests connect to your WiFi like anyone else. When they do, the captive portal collects their real email address — not the relay address Airbnb provides. This is completely legitimate: you're providing a WiFi service and collecting an email for WiFi access, similar to any hotel, coffee shop, or airport. The guest opts in voluntarily.

You need a router that supports captive portals (UniFi, Mikrotik, OpenWrt, or similar) or a dedicated WiFi marketing device. DirectBookings Guest WiFi works with UniFi access points (the most popular choice for vacation rentals) — configure your UniFi controller to redirect to your branded portal URL. No special hardware beyond a capable router.

No — if done well. Guests expect to enter something for WiFi access (they do it at every hotel and airport). Keep the portal simple: branded page, one email field, one click. Don't ask for phone numbers or lengthy forms. Make it clear they're getting WiFi access in exchange. Most guests complete it in under 10 seconds. The experience should feel professional, not invasive.

DirectBookings Guest WiFi captive portal starts at $15/month per property. Includes branded landing page with your property logo and colors, automatic email capture, guest database, and integration with your direct booking website. Combined with DirectBookings ($9/month), your total cost for booking website + WiFi email capture is $14/month.

Yes. DirectBookings Guest WiFi lets you customize: property logo, brand colors, welcome message, background image, and the text on the submit button. The portal matches your property branding so guests have a cohesive experience. You can also add your direct booking website link on the post-login page, driving guests to explore your site after they connect.

Yes, when set up correctly. You need: a clear statement of why you're collecting the email (to provide WiFi access and send relevant offers), a link to your privacy policy, and the ability for guests to unsubscribe from marketing emails. DirectBookings Guest WiFi includes GDPR-compliant consent language by default. Guests explicitly opt in by entering their email.