Hotel websites and direct bookings in Scotland
Codero helps owner-run hotels across Scotland, from Edinburgh townhouses to Highland and island retreats, win more bookings through their own websites. I'm based in central Scotland, so I can usually come and see you.
What's different about hotels in Scotland
Festival weeks sell themselves; the rest of the year doesn't
In Edinburgh, August and Hogmanay fill rooms whatever your website looks like. The real test is the other ten months, when guests compare you with everyone else on Booking.com. A website that answers their questions and makes booking direct easy earns its keep in March, not August.
Touring guests book one night at a time
Visitors driving the North Coast 500 or touring the Highlands and islands often book a night or two in each place, sometimes only days ahead and often on a phone. Your booking engine needs to work quickly on mobile, with clear availability and no surprises at checkout.
Guests from overseas plan in different ways
Many visitors from North America and Europe plan Scottish trips months ahead and research carefully. Clear directions, honest photos, parking and accessibility details, and what's nearby all help them choose you and book with you rather than through an OTA.
Edinburgh's visitor levy
Edinburgh now adds a visitor levy to overnight stays, and other councils are considering their own. Showing the full price clearly on your own website, rather than letting guests discover extras at checkout, builds trust and avoids awkward conversations at reception.
When guests come
Summer is the main season, with the Edinburgh festivals in August and the Highland and island season running from late spring into autumn. Hogmanay and the Christmas markets bring a winter peak to the cities, while rural hotels can be quiet from November to March. Golf, walking and whisky breaks help fill the shoulder months.
The OTAs and your own website
Booking.com is the main OTA for most Scottish hotels, with Expedia more important where you attract North American guests. In rural areas you're also competing with holiday lets on Airbnb, so it pays to explain what a hotel offers that a cottage doesn't. Google's free booking links can put your own rate right next to the OTAs.
Places I work with hotels
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- Inverness
- Aberdeen
- St Andrews
- Stirling
- Fort William
- Oban
- Isle of Skye
- Pitlochry
And everywhere in between.
Questions from hotels in Scotland
Something else? Email me or call 07375 573752.
Yes. Most of the work is done remotely, and I'm based in central Scotland, so I can visit when it's useful. Rural and island hotels often have the most to gain from fewer OTA bookings.
That's where a good website and Google profile matter most. The audit looks at how you show up for the searches guests make in the quieter months, such as golf, walking, whisky and winter breaks.
Show it clearly and early, ideally next to the room rate and again before payment. Check with your booking engine provider how it's displayed, and make sure your own website matches.
Often, yes, especially in the central belt and within a reasonable drive. Further afield, we can do the strategy session on a call and I'll visit when it makes sense.
See what your website could do in Scotland
A free audit of your booking journey, Google profile and reliance on the OTAs, with the fixes you can make yourself this week.
Get a free audit