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Setup guide · ~10 minutes · No coding required

Set Up a Guest WiFi Captive Portal
on UniFi for Your Vacation Rental

Capture every guest's email automatically when they connect to WiFi. This step-by-step guide walks you through setting up a UniFi access point with a branded captive portal that drives direct re-bookings.

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$15/mo per access point · Works with any UniFi AP · Cancel anytime

Why add a captive portal to your vacation rental WiFi?

Every guest connects to WiFi. Without a portal, that's a wasted marketing opportunity.

📧

Build your guest email list

Capture 80%+ of guest emails without asking at check-in. WiFi is the incentive — guests trade their email for internet access.

🔁

Drive direct re-bookings

Send automated "book direct next time" emails. Returning guests save you the 15% Airbnb commission.

🔒

Secure, isolated network

Guests get their own network with client isolation. They can't see your smart home devices or each other's devices.

What you need

  • ✓ A UniFi access point — U6-Lite ($99) or U6+ ($129)
  • ✓ Your existing router — any brand, any ISP
  • ✓ An ethernet port on your router (or a simple switch)
  • ✓ A computer with SSH — Terminal on Mac, PowerShell on Windows
  • ✓ A DirectBookings account — $15/mo per access point, cancel anytime

You do NOT need: a UniFi Cloud Key, Dream Machine, or any other Ubiquiti hardware. DirectBookings runs the cloud controller for you.

Step-by-step setup guide

From unboxing to live captive portal in about 10 minutes

1

Buy a UniFi access point

Step 1

Get a UniFi U6-Lite ($99, studios) or U6+ ($129, 1-4 bedrooms). One device per property is all you need. Order from the Ubiquiti Store or Amazon — they ship fast.

2

Plug it in

Step 2

Connect the included ethernet cable from your router to the access point. The cable carries both data and power (PoE) — no separate power cord needed. The light turns on within 30 seconds.

💡Place it centrally — shelf, wall, or ceiling. Higher = better coverage.
3

Find the device IP

Step 3

The AP gets an IP address from your router (usually 192.168.1.xxx). Check your router's admin page under connected devices, or use a free network scanner app like Fing.

4

SSH in and run set-inform

Step 4

Open Terminal (Mac) or PowerShell (Windows). SSH into the device with the default credentials, then run a single command to connect it to the DirectBookings cloud controller.

Connect via SSH
ssh ubnt@192.168.1.xxx
Point to our controller
set-inform http://unifi.dnsverify.xyz:8080/inform
💡Default credentials: username ubnt, password ubnt
5

Register the AP in your dashboard

Step 5

Go to Guest WiFi → Setup in your DirectBookings dashboard. Enter the MAC address from the label on the back of your device (format: AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF) and choose your WiFi network name.

💡The MAC is printed without colons on the device (e.g. AABBCCDDEEFF). Add colons when entering it.
6

Run set-inform a second time

Step 6

Go back to your SSH session and run the same set-inform command again. This makes the connection permanent — the AP will reconnect to our controller automatically after power outages.

Persist the connection
set-inform http://unifi.dnsverify.xyz:8080/inform
💡Skip this step and you'll need to SSH in again after every power cycle.
7

Design your splash page

Step 7

Go to WiFi Experience in your dashboard. Use the drag-and-drop editor to set your property's logo, colors, background image, headline, and which fields to collect (email, name, phone). Pick from 12 hospitality-focused templates or start from scratch.

8

Test it

Step 8

Connect your phone to the guest network (the SSID you chose in step 5). You should see your branded splash page. Enter your email — if you land on the Connected page, everything works. Your guests will have the same experience.

What your guests experience

A branded, professional flow — not a generic “Terms and Conditions” page

1
📱

Connect to your WiFi

Guest selects your network name (e.g. "Sunset Villa WiFi") from their phone's WiFi list. Open, no password needed.

2
🎨

See your branded splash page

Your property logo, colors, and a welcoming message. They enter their name and email — one tap to get online.

3
🏠

Land on your Custom HomePage

After connecting: property info, house manual, local recommendations, check-out time, and your social links.

DirectBookings vs UniFi's built-in Hotspot Manager

Same hardware, much more capability

Feature
DirectBookings
UniFi Hotspot Manager
Custom splash page editor
✓ Drag-and-drop, 12 templates
Basic HTML only
Post-connection HomePage
✓ Full builder
✗ Not available
Guest email database
✓ Built-in CRM
✗ Manual export only
Email campaigns
✓ Automated + manual
✗ Not available
Re-booking automations
✓ Built-in
✗ Not available
Analytics dashboard
✓ Real-time
Basic session logs
Multi-property management
✓ Single dashboard
Separate controller per site
Cloud controller needed
✗ We host it for you
✓ Cloud Key / Dream Machine
Setup time
~10 minutes
30-60 min (+ hardware)

UniFi captive portal FAQ

Common questions about using UniFi for vacation rental guest WiFi

Which UniFi access point is best for vacation rentals?
The UniFi U6+ ($129) is the sweet spot for 1-4 bedroom vacation rentals — it covers up to 2,000 sq ft and handles 100 simultaneous devices. For studios or small apartments, the U6-Lite ($99) works perfectly. Both support WiFi 6 and are powered over ethernet (PoE), so you only need one cable.
Do I need a UniFi Cloud Key or Dream Machine?
No. DirectBookings runs its own cloud controller, so you don't need to buy a Cloud Key, Dream Machine, or any additional Ubiquiti hardware. You just point your access point to our controller with a single SSH command, and we handle the rest — network creation, captive portal, guest authorization.
Can I keep my existing home network and add a separate guest network?
Yes. The UniFi AP creates an isolated guest network alongside your existing WiFi. Your personal devices stay on your private network; guests only see the guest SSID with the captive portal. The two networks are completely separated — guests cannot access your devices or data.
How does the captive portal capture emails?
When a guest connects to your guest WiFi network, their device is redirected to your branded splash page (hosted by DirectBookings). They enter their name and email to get internet access. The email is saved to your Guest Contacts database, and automated campaigns (welcome emails, re-booking reminders) start running immediately.
What happens if my internet goes down — does the AP still work?
The UniFi AP needs an internet connection to reach our cloud controller and authorize guests. If internet drops, the AP stays powered on but new guests can't authenticate until connectivity is restored. Existing authorized sessions continue for their remaining duration.
Can I use this with multiple properties?
Yes. Each property gets its own access point, its own guest network name (SSID), and its own branded splash page. You manage all properties from a single DirectBookings dashboard. Plans support up to unlimited properties depending on your tier.
Is this different from the UniFi Hotspot Manager?
Yes. UniFi's built-in hotspot manager gives you a basic portal with limited customization and no email marketing tools. DirectBookings gives you a full drag-and-drop SplashScreen editor, a post-connection HomePage, automated email campaigns, a guest CRM, and analytics — all designed specifically for vacation rental hosts who want to drive direct re-bookings.
How long does setup take?
About 10 minutes from unboxing to live. Plug in the AP, SSH in and run one command, register it in your dashboard, and customize your splash page. No coding, no network engineering degree required.

Don't see what you're looking for?

Send us a message — we usually reply the same day.

support@directbookinghost.com

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$15/mo per access point · No Cloud Key needed · Cancel anytime

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