How to set up the external booking system for a restaurant

Last updated

26 February 2025

Overview

The external booking system allows you to redirect guests to a third-party reservation system when they tap the "Book" button in the app. This setup is useful if you already manage reservations using an external platform.

Since bookings are handled outside STAY, transaction data for these reservations will not be available in the CMS.

This article explains how to configure the External booking system for a restaurant in STAY.

Before getting started

Before setting up this system, make sure you have:

• Access to the CMS: Content > Facilities > Restaurants.
• The correct URL for the external booking system.
• Decided whether the external system should open within the app or in the guest’s browser.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Access the restaurant’s settings

1. Navigate to Content > Facilities > Restaurants in the CMS.
2. Hover over the restaurant you want to configure.
3. Click Edit.

Step 2: Enable the external booking system

1. Go to the Hours & booking system tab.
2. Select External booking system.

Step 3: Enter the external booking system URL

1. A new text box labeled External booking system will appear.

2. Enter the URL of the third-party reservation system.

   Note: You can customize the URL by language by clicking the flag icon.

Step 4: Configure additional options

• Open URL in browser:

  Check this option if you want the guest to be redirected to the external booking system via their web browser instead of opening it within the app.

• Opening hours:

  1. Define the time intervals and the days of the week the restaurant will be open.
  2. Enter a name for each interval.
  3. If the restaurant operates 24/7, check the Open 24h box.
  4. If the restaurant will be temporarily closed, activate the Temporarily closed option.
  5. Click Save changes.

  Note: This schedule will only indicate the service’s opening hours. The booking hours will be determined by the external system.

• Booking button text:

  • Enter the text that will appear on the “Book” call-to-action.
  • Keep it short (ideally a single word).
  • Click the flag icon to add translations for all available languages.

Step 5: Save the configuration

Click Save changes at the bottom of the screen.

Next steps

Once the external booking system is configured, you may want to:

• Test the booking flow to ensure the redirection works correctly.
• Customize the restaurant’s information to include additional details such as contact information or booking policies.
• Make your restaurant visible on the app front page to start receiving bookings.
• Enable Concierge chat to assist guests with booking inquiries.

Need further assistance?

If you have additional questions or require further assistance:

• Contact us via live chat.
• Send a ticket to our Support team.
• Visit STAY Academy, our training platform.