Hometogo Mapping

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Hometogo
This page is about the menu  (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMETOGO and explains how to set up an XML connection with Hometogo.

Contents

1 General

2 Capabilities

  • Export property listings content (create listings at Hometogo)
  • Export prices and availability
  • Import bookings
  • Beds24 sends date changes made in Beds24 and status changes to "Cancelled" to Hometogo


3 Limitations

4 Before you connect

Prices

  • We can only send availability if you have set up prices which are activated for this channel. This tutorial gives general information how to set prices for channels.

Hometogo 'PULL' the data from Beds24, so if you make changes it may not be displayed in their extranet immediately. They will always request live availability before allowing a booking.

Bookings

Hometogo may not allow same day bookings.

Only bookings made after the connection is established will be imported and can be managed. Existing bookings can be imported via iCal or manually.

Hometogo does not send confirmation messages. They require these to be sent from Beds24. The confirmation message you have set up in (SETTINGS) GUEST MANAGEMENT >CONFIRMATION MESSAGES will be sent to the guest.

5 Set up

5.1 Multiple Hometogo accounts

Each Beds24 account can be connected to one Hometogo account.

  • The Homtetogos XML activation is per Beds24 account/subaccount. All properties visible in the account can be connected.
  • If you have different Hometogo accounts you have to make sure that in each Beds24 account activated for Hometogo only the accommodations that belong to the connecting Hometogo account are avaible.
Once Hometogo has started the integration, the connected Beds24 account cannot be changed.

5.2 Languages

Hometogo will inform you which language is compulsory. It is the language of the Hometogo site you are listed. If this language is different from the language you use as default language for your booking page you can set it in (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMETOGO > SPECIFIC CONTENT.

If you need to activate languages go to (SETTINGS) BOOKING ENGINE > INTERNATIONALISATION.

5.3 Listings

  • With a single-unit listing (Listing per = Room - the recommended setting for new connections) a listing is created for every room in Beds24.
    • The "Headline" for the listing comes from "Room Headline" in (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > ROOM CONTENT. If this field is empty the "Headline" in (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > PROPERTY CONTENT will be used.
    • The "Property Name" comes from the "Name" in (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES > DESCRIPTION. If you want to give each listing its own property name even though they are in one property in Beds24 you can enter a unique "Name" for each in (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER >HOMETOGO > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT.
  • With a multi-unit listings (Listing per = Property NOT RECOMMENDED, only use this option after consulting with your activation specialist) one property in Beds24 is a listing in Hometogo. Rooms are units in this listing.

If you want to change between listing types you can do this in (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > Hometogo > SPECIFIC PROPERTY CONTENT. Before you change the setting you will need to talk to Hometogo because certain data will get lost.

Go to (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMETOGO > VIEW CONTENT to check if you content meets Hometogos requirements. Any settings which do not meet Hometogos requirements are highlighted on red. Click on the links in the "Settings" column to go to the settings where you can fix the problems.

5.3.1 Minimum Requirements

To send property information to Hometogo, the following information must be entered into Beds24 to meet the Hometogo minimum content requirement for listings:

  • Property name
  • Property type
  • Maximum number of guests
  • Accurate address for each property
  • Latitude and longitude for each property
  • At least 6 pictures for each listing recommended resolution of 1920x1080.
  • Headlines with at least 20 characters
  • Each listing must have at least one bedroom and one bathroom
  • For online bookings you will need prices and inventory

5.3.2 Room Configurations - Define Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Bedrooms and bathrooms can be set up for the property (SETTING->PROPERTIES->DESCRIPTION) or per room (SETTING->PROPERTIES->ROOMS->SET UP).

  • Criteria which apply to all rooms in the property should be set up with the property. They will be automatically applied to all rooms in the property.
  • Criteria which only applies to one room should be entered in the room.

Set up bedrooms and bathroom either in the property OR the room. If you set them up in both you will double them up.

Do not send additional bathroom amenities if you have a full bathrooom.

Example 1: All units (rooms) have one bedroom and one bathroom. In this case you can set up the bedroom and bathroom in SETTING->PROPERTIES->DESCRIPTION. The number will be applied to all room/units.

Example 2: You have one unit with one bedroom and another unit with two bedrooms. In this case set the bedrooms up in SETTING->PROPERTIES->ROOMS->SET UP.

Bedrooms and bathrooms are configured by feature codes which are entered in the "Features" field.

  • Click on the "Edit " button next to the "Features" field.
  • In the pop up click on "Bedroom" or "Bathroom".
  • Set the type and use the selectors to define the features within each room.
  • If you have multiple bedrooms or bathrooms make sure you define them all. If you have more than 2 rooms click "Close" and SAVE. The system will then automatically add more rooms when you click on the "Edit" button again.
  • Close the pop up and then press SAVE.

You can also manually add bedrooms and bathrooms and amenities. For more information see "All feature codes" below.

Hometogo does not support all features Beds24 offers. For a list of all feature codes Hometogo supports see "All feature codes" below.

5.3.3 Amenities, Features and Location Type

Amenities and Location Type can be set up for the property (SETTING->PROPERTIES->DESCRIPTION) or per room (SETTING->PROPERTIES->ROOMS->SET UP).

Criteria which apply to all rooms in the property should be set up with the property. They will be automatically applied to all rooms in the property.

Criteria which only applies to one room should be entered in the room.

Make sure you do not create duplicates.


Example 1: All units (rooms) have Wifi. In this case you can set up the Wifi in SETTING->PROPERTIES->DESCRIPTION. The number will be applied to all room/units.

Example 2: You have one unit with Wifi one and another unit without Wifi. In this case set the Wifi up in SETTING->PROPERTIES->ROOMS->SET UP.


Features and amenities are configured by feature codes which are entered in the "Features" field.

  • Click on the "Edit " button next to the "Features" field.
  • In the pop up click on "Amenities".
  • Tick the amenities you provide.
  • Close the pop up and then press SAVE.

Adding "cleaning" features and a "location type" is very important for your performance. You add them manually. Bedrooms and bathrooms and amenities can also be inserted manually. For more information see "All feature codes" below.

For a list of all feature codes and location types Hometogo supports see "All feature codes" below.

5.3.4 Prices

In (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMETOGO > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT you can set which type of price you want to send.

With Per Occupancy Pricing a price for each occupancy defined in Beds24 and prices for different length of stay can be sent.

If you use rates the price for each occupancy defined in Beds24 and prices for different length of stay can be sent.1 person, 2 person and room price will send. Room price will send for specified occupancy. Multiple rates with different occupancies can send. Prices for "Extra Person", "Extra child" and discounts set in the "Discounts" tab of the rates can not be sent.

If you use daily prices the daily price will send including occupancy. Multiple occupancy prices can send. Extra person price will send.

"Max Stay" set in the CALENDAR or rates can be sent.

Hometogo occupancy pricing only support minimum stays up to 30 days.

With Per Day Pricing the price sent is a room price, only ONE price can be sent per date. If you have multiple prices activated for Hometogo with different minimum stays the system will send the price with the lowest minimum stay. Hometogo applies the minimum stay " first night only" meaning restrictions must only be satisfied for the arrival date of the booking but not on every day of the booking. If you use daily prices with "Extra Person" prices your daily price needs to be set for the max occupancy and the "Extra Person" price needs to be added with a negative value so the price for the full occupancy can send. With Per Day Pricing you can also set an extra person price.

  • The number of guests for which the price applies.
  • An extra person price.
  • A long stay discount. Discounts are only applied to the room price not on extras. Hometogo stay discounts are cumulative.

Price for booking and Guaranteed Pricing

The indicative price is only used for the booking if "Pricing Policy" is set to "Guaranteed" in (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMETOGO > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT.

"Pricing Policy" is set to "Quoted" Hometogo will request the price for the period and the number of guests selected from Beds24.

Click on the "View Actual Data" button in (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER- > HOMETOGO > MAPPING to check which prices and availability will send.

5.3.4.1 Price Multiplier

If you want to add a multiplier to your prices you can add it to the "Price Multiplier" field in (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMETOGO > MAPPING.

The multiplier applies to all prices and fees which are sent.

For example, *1.23 will multiply all prices by 1.23 sent for the hotel id (i.e. raised by 23%). Lower prices can be sent with a multiplier less than 1, i.e. *0.85 will send a price of 85% of the normal price (i.e. lowered by 15%).

To convert the price of imported bookings add a * after the multiplier, for example *1.23* will divide the price of the booking by 1.23.

You can also use currency conversion template variables. All currencies supported by the booking page currency selector can be used.

For example *[CONVERT:IDR-EUR] will convert Indonesian Rupees to Euros.

5.3.4.2 Taxes & Fees

Taxes and fees can be added in (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMETOGO > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT under "Custom".

  • Taxes and fees can apply as a flat fee, a percentage, per day or per guest.
  • You can choose taxes and fees to be "stay collected". In this case they will not be added to the booking price.

Use the context help for detailed instructions.

A Cleaning fee is required by Hometogo and if it is not set by one of these methods a value of zero will automatically be sent. You can enter the cleaning fee in (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER- > PROPERTY CONTENT->ROOM CONTENT.

5.3.5 Pets

If you do not allow pets you choose "Pets not allowed" as feature in SETTING->PROPERTIES-> DESCRIPTION. Fees for pets can be set as custom values in (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMETOGO > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT.

5.3.6 Policies

You can set the minimum age via a "Custom" value in (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMETOGO > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT.

5.3.6.1 Cancellation Policy

Hometogo requires a cancellation policy. We will send the policies set in SETTING->PROPERTIES-> DESCRIPTION.

You can can which policy applies in (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMETOGO > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT

If you want to send a custom cancellation policy you need to set the actual poly in "Custom" in (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMETOGO > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT. Use the context help for detailed instructions.

5.3.6.2 Children

If you allow children set the number of children which are allowed or "Dont ask" in the setting for "Maximum Children" in SETTING->PROPERTIES-> ROOMS -> SETUP.

5.4 Payments

5.5 Pictures

Hometogo supports property pictures and room pictures.

  • The pictures activated as "Property Pictures" in (SETTINGS) BOOKING ENGINE > PICTURES will be sent for the property. Make sure you have enabled at least 6 property pictures per listing.
  • The pictures activated as "Room Pictures" in (SETTINGS) BOOKING ENGINE > PICTURES will be sent for the room. If there are no room pictures then offer pictures will be sent for the room.
  • If your listings are per room property pictures are used for the first room listing only and room pictures are used for the other room listings.

If you use external pictures you need to make sure they are .jpg format.

If you need to change a picture, add or change it's caption text to ensure it gets re-imported by Hometogo.

  • With a single-unit listing (Listing per Room) room pictures are sent first (in property section) and property pictures in room settings so not all listings look the same.
  • With a multi-unit listings (Listing per Property) property pictures send first.

When the same pictures is in the property and the room we only send it once.

Make sure you add captions to your pictures. Please see the pictures help page for instructions.

6 Activation

Step 1: Check content

Go to (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMETOGO > VIEW CONTENT.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements Hometogo will reject all data sent.

To update the listing content click on the links on this page.

To check which information is sent to Hometogo go to (SETTINGS) > CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMETOGO > VIEW CONTENT. This will show you the raw data. A click on "View Actual Data" will show you which prices are sent.

Checklist - these factors are important for the performance of your listings

  • Choose your headline carefully and make sure your key (first) picture and your headline work together.
  • Recommended are 24 pictures", make sure all have captions.
  • Add Location Type feature so your listing will show in location based searches.
  • Add cleaning features.

Step 2: Enable rooms

Go to (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMETOGO > MAPPINGG and tick "Enable".

7 Cancellations

If you set a booking to "Cancelled" we will send it as "Cancelled by guest" to Hometogo. If the booking is cancelled by the owner you can set this as a "substatus" via the second selector next to the "Cancelled" status in the "Summary" tab of the booking.

If a different reason for the cancellation applies you can set this by adding one of the following info codes in to "Info" tab of the booking:

CANCELLED_BY_OWNER

CANCELLED_BY_OWNER_INVALID_CARD

CANCELLED_BY_OWNER_NO_PAYMENT

CANCELLED_BY_OWNER_UNIT_NOT_AVAILABLE

Never delete bookings from Hometogo because Hometogo expect to read the booking status even if they are cancelled.

8 Updates

Changes to availability and prices will be instantly sent to the channel. Other changes will be pulled by Hometogo with their next poll.

9 All feature codes

You can also manually add bedrooms and bathrooms and amenities typing the feature codes exactly as listed below into the "Features" field.

Each room feature code can have additional features added to it separated by a space which will list the features within this room. Multiple rooms can be added.

Example:  One bedroom with a double bed and a crib
BEDROOM BED_DOUBLE BED_CRIB
Example: The property has 3 bathrooms with various features 
BATHROOM BIDET COMBO_TUB_SHOWER
BATHROOM BIDET 
BATHROOM_HALF TOILET

Add feature codes one for each feature separated by spaces.

Example: A property has television, internet and beach view
TELEVISION INTERNET BEACH_VIEW 

1. Bathroom Types - If there are multiple bathrooms add one code for each followed by appropriate amenity codes.

BATHROOM
BATHROOM_HALF
BATHROOM_SHOWER


1.1 Bathroom Amenities - These must be specified after the bathroom type code and are applied to the preceding bathroom type code. If there are multiple features in the room add a code for each BIDET COMBO_TUB_SHOWER JETTED_TUB OUTDOOR_SHOWER SHOWER TOILET TUB

2. Bedroom Types - If there are multiple bedrooms add one code for each followed by appropriate amenity codes.

BEDROOM
BEDROOM_LIVING_SLEEPING_COMBO
BEDROOM_OTHER_SLEEPING_AREA

2.1 Bedroom Amenities - These must be specified after the bedroom type code and are applied to the preceding bedroom type code. If there are multiple beds in the bedroom add one code for each.

BED_BUNK
BED_CHILD
BED_CRIB
BED_DOUBLE
BED_KING
BED_MURPHY
BED_QUEEN
BED_SOFA
BED_SINGLE


3. Nearest features Nearest features must consist of three parts in order joined by underscores, a feature type, the distance unit, the number value. For example NEAREST_BEACH_KILOMETERS_3 or NEAREST_BAR_METERS_200

Feature types

NEAREST_AIRPORT
NEAREST_BEACH
NEAREST_GOLF
NEAREST_RESTAURANT
NEAREST_TRAIN
NEAREST_BAR
NEAREST_FERRY
NEAREST_HIGHWAY
NEAREST_SKI

Distance units

KILOMETRES
METRES
MILES
MINUTES


4. Location type features

BEACH

BEACH_FRONT

BEACH_VIEW

DOWNTOWN

GOLF_COURSE_FRONT

GOLF_COURSE_VIEW

LAKE

LAKE_FRONT

LAKE_VIEW

MOUNTAIN

MOUNTAIN_VIEW

NEAR_OCEAN

OCEAN_FRONT

OCEAN_VIEW

RESORT

RIVER

RURAL

SKI_IN

SKI_OUT

TOWN

VILLAGE

WATER_VIEW

WATERFRONT

5. Other features

LIVING_ROOM

FIREPLACE

WOOD_STOVE

HEATING

AIR_CONDITIONING

ELEVATOR

TELEPHONE

HAIR_DRYER

ICEMAKER

IRON_BOARD

LINENS

TOWELS

DRYER

WASHER

BALCONY

DECK_PATIO_UNCOVERED

LANAI_GAZEBO_COVERED

GARDEN

GRILL

GAME_ROOM

VERANDA

GARAGE

PARKING_POSSIBLE

PARKING_PAID

EV_CHARGER

BOOKS

DVD

FOOSBALL

GAMES

MUSIC_LIBRARY

TABLE_TENNIS

POOL_TABLE

CABLE

SATELLITE

STEREO

TV

TOYS

VIDEO_GAMES

VIDEO_LIBRARY

BREAKFAST_NONE

BREAKFAST_POSSIBLE

BREAKFAST_INCLUDED

PRIVATE_CHEF

INTERNET

KITCHEN

DINING_AREA

DINING_ROOM

COFFEE_MAKER

DISHES_UTENSILS

DISHWASHER

HIGHCHAIR

MICROWAVE

OVEN

REFRIGERATOR

SPICES

STOVE

TOASTER


OUTDOOR_LIGHTING

OUTDOOR_FIREPLACE

FIRE_EXTINGUISHER

FIRST_AID_KIT

MEDICAL_EMERGENCY_CONTACT

POLICE_EMERGENCY_CONTACT

FIRE_EMERGENCY_CONTACT

SMOKE_DETECTOR

CO_DETECTOR

DEADBOLT_LOCK

EMERGENCY_EXIT_ROUTE

PETS_CONSIDERED

PETS_NOT_ALLOWED

HOT_TUB

MASSAGE

POOL

POOL_HEATED

POOL_INDOOR

POOL_PRIVATE

SAUNA

B_AND_B

CAR_AVAILABLE

CHAUFFEUR

CHECK_IN_OUT_SELF

CLEANING_DISINFECTANT

CLEANING_ENHANCED

CLEANING_INCLUDED

CLEANING_POSSIBLE

CONCIERGE

GUEST_HOUSE

HOTEL

SHOP

BASKETBALL_COURT

BICYCLE

BOAT

CROSS_COUNTRY_SKIING

FISHING

FITNESS_ROOM

GOLF


HIKING

HORSE_RIDING

HUNTING

ICE_SKATING

JET_SKIING

KAYAK_CANOE

KAYAKING

MOUNTAIN_BIKING

MOUNTAIN_CLIMBING

MOUNTAINEERING

PARASAILING

RAFTING

SAILING

SPORTS_SNORKELING_DIVING

SKIING

SKIING_WATER

SNOW_SPORTS_GEAR

SNOWBOARDING

SNOWMOBILING

SPELUNKING

SURFING

SWIMMING

TUBING_WATER

WATER_SPORTS

WHITEWATER_RAFTING

WIND_SURFING

CAR_NECESSARY

CAR_RECOMMENDED

CAR_NOT_NECESSARY

CHILDREN_NOT_ALLOWED

CHILDREN_WELCOME

EVENTS_ALLOWED

SMOKING_ALLOWED

SMOKING_NOT_ALLOWED

WHEELCHAIR_YES

WHEELCHAIR_NO

BAY

COIN_LAUNDRY

DUTY_FREE

HEALTH_BEAUTY_SPA

MARINA

MUSEUMS

THEME_PARKS

WATER_PARKS

WINERY_TOURS

ZOO

ANTIQUING

BIRD_WATCHING

ECO_TOURISM

GAMBLING

OUTLET_SHOPPING

PADDLE_BOATING

SHOPPING

SLEDDING

WHALE_WATCHING

WILDLIFE_VIEWING

FITNESS_CENTER

HOSPITAL

LAUNDROMAT

FAMILY

HISTORIC

ROMANTIC


10 Common Errors

Any errors reported by Hometogo will be visible when checking the links

internal error constructing XML - to see the faulty XML 
   open https: //www.beds24.com/api/Hometogo.com/HA-3.4/unitRates?roomid=XXXXX&show=novalidation 
Please check you have selected the Channel (Hometogo) in your RATES (Channel Tab) or Daily Prices (Enable)