Integration overview - Hostelworld

About

Hostelworld is a leading online travel agency present in more than 180 countries with the primary focus on the hostelling branch of the traveling market. It has an extensive affiliate network of 3,500 global partners, including Lonely Planet and Travellerspoint. Hostelworld has a trusted-brand status and a loyal customer base built up over 22 years.

Benefits of connecting to the channel

Targeted market reach: Advertise properties on a leading booking platform that focuses primarily on the global hostelling branch.
Extensive partner network: Gain visibility through an extensive affiliate network of 3,500 global partners, including Lonely Planet and Travellerspoint.
Flexible payment options: Control the payment process by choosing exactly how to charge guests for their stays.

Integration model

Sync type	PUSH
Static data sync	No. The channel doesn't receive property descriptive content from Rentals United. Manage all descriptive content directly in the channel.
Availability, Rates & Inventory sync	Rentals United sends ARI data to the channel automatically when changes register in the system.
Instant bookings	Yes
Booking requests	No
Quote requests	No
Reservation sync	PULL
Reservation modifications	N/A
Reservation cancellations	Rentals United retrieves cancellations made in the channel.
Cancellation penalties	N/A

Additional info

Accepted locations	More than 180 countries
Target guests	Hostel travelers
Origin of the guests	Global
Long stays (more than 30 days)	N/A
Channel website	Hostelworld
Affiliate channels	The channel distributes inventory to 3,500 global partners, including Lonely Planet and Travellerspoint.

Inventory type

Pick & Choose	No
Multi-units	Yes. Multiple properties can group under the same room type as a multi-unit group. You can only offer full rooms because the integration does not support offering individual beds.

Channel performance

Top location	N/A
Top inventory type	Hostel rooms and multi-unit setups
Top performance season	N/A
Key amenities	N/A
Best practices	Group multiple similar units under one listing to optimize occupancy and streamline rate management. Ensure you only list full rooms rather than individual beds.

Charges & Payments

Charging party	The channel charges the commission amount directly from the guest at the moment of booking. Property managers handle all remaining stay payments.
Credit card details	Property managers choose how to charge the guest for the remaining balance.

Commission

Commission	15%
Commission charging	The channel collects the commission from the guest at the moment of booking.
Commission application	The commission applies to the rates, but the value can differ depending on the agreement with the channel.
Negotiable commission	Yes, depending on the agreement with the channel.

Contract & Onboarding

Average onboarding time

N/A

Onboarding instructions

New clients: New clients need to create an account at Hostelworld Sign-up and create properties. Then, please send an email to support@hostelworld.com and request to connect your newly created account with your Rentals United account.

Existing clients: If you are an existing client who already has an account in the Hostelworld system, you need to contact support@hostelworld.com with the details of your account and request them to merge your Hostelworld account with the Rentals United.

Contact & Support

Support email for property managers

support@hostelworld.com

customerservice@hostelworld.com

Response time

N/A

Categorization

This channel is categorized as a Hotel Reservation Site (HRS). An HRS website (Hotel Reservation System) in the vacation rental industry is a booking platform that primarily follows a hotel-style business model. Instead of treating each property as a unique unit, HRS platforms focus on hotel listings with a selection of room-types. This means availability, pricing, and inventory are managed at the room-type level (e.g., “Double Room,” “Family Suite”) rather than by individual apartments or houses.

For property managers, this model allows grouping multiple similar units under one listing, optimizing occupancy, and streamlining rate management. For guests, it creates a more standardized booking experience, closer to traditional hotel reservations, with clear categories and easier comparisons.

Rentals United cluster (Hotel ID) indicates a hotel in the sales channel.
Rentals United room type (e.g. "Two-Bedroom Apartment") indicates a room type in the sales channel
Rentals United property (e.g. "Property 1") indicates a physical room of a certain type. There can be multiple properties added under the same room type , e.g. "Property 1" and "Property 3" are categorized as "Two-Bedroom Apartment". This set-up is called a multi-unit group.
Rentals United rate refers to a particular pricing plan, which is created based on particular settings in your property (e.g. cancellation policy, meal rate, price). You can see your rates after selecting the Property Settings > Manage.