Connecting RentalWise to BetterSTR

BetterSTR connects directly to RentalWise so your properties and bookings sync automatically and every guest gets their own digital guidebook link. The connection uses an API token you create in your own RentalWise workspace. There’s no application, approval or partner sign-up. This guide walks you through creating the token, connecting it, what syncs, and what to check if something doesn’t look right.

Step 1: Create a RentalWise API token

1. Log in to your RentalWise workspace.
2. Click your profile picture and choose API access.
3. Click Add New, give the token a name you’ll recognise (for example “BetterSTR”) and create it.
4. Copy the token straight away. RentalWise only shows it once. If you lose it, just create another one.

Step 2: Note your workspace address

Your workspace address is the address you log in to RentalWise at, for example https://yourname.rentalwise.io. BetterSTR needs it alongside the token, because every RentalWise account has its own address. Just the name part (yourname) works too.

Step 3: Connect it to BetterSTR

1. In BetterSTR, go to Integrations and choose RentalWise, or head straight to the RentalWise connection page.
2. Enter your Workspace Address and paste your API Token.
3. Click Connect RentalWise. BetterSTR checks the token with RentalWise before saving it, then starts syncing straight away.

What syncs, and how fast

• Properties: name, descriptions, address and map pin, bedrooms, bathrooms, beds and maximum guests, check-in and check-out times from your property policies, photos, amenities, house rules and check-in instructions. Properties that are disabled in RentalWise are skipped.
• Bookings: guest name, email and phone, arrival and departure, number of guests, the booking channel and its confirmation code, and the booking totals.
• Changes: when you connect, BetterSTR registers for RentalWise’s booking and property notifications on your account, so new bookings, changes and cancellations come through within a minute or two. An hourly check and a daily property refresh run behind that as a safety net.
• Guidebook links: every booking gets its own unique guest guidebook link, and BetterSTR saves it onto the booking in RentalWise so you can send it from there (see below).

Send the guidebook link from your RentalWise emails

BetterSTR saves each guest’s link in a booking custom field called betterstr_guide_url. To include it in a RentalWise email, open Settings → Email templates in RentalWise, edit the template you send before arrival (or create a new one) and add this merge tag where you want the link:

{{ record.custom_fields.betterstr_guide_url }}

Use the Preview button in RentalWise with a real upcoming booking to check the link appears. Your other custom fields on the booking are kept; we only add our own.

Message guests through RentalWise

You can also send the guidebook (or any other message) straight into the guest’s RentalWise conversation. In BetterSTR, go to Notifications → Rules, create or edit a rule, and choose RentalWise guest message under How to notify. The message goes out on the booking’s own channel, so an Airbnb, Booking.com or Vrbo guest receives it in that platform’s inbox, and a direct booking receives it by email.

RentalWise shortcodes in the guide builder

Once connected, the guide builder’s shortcode menu gains two RentalWise categories. RentalWise Fields holds property values such as house rules, check-in instructions, check-in method, surroundings, home truths, amenities and your company name. RentalWise Res holds booking values such as the booking channel, number of adults and children, the guest’s arrival time, the amount outstanding and the payment and security deposit links.

Any custom field you have on your RentalWise bookings comes through too, as a shortcode like {{rentalwise_cf_parking_bay}}. Insert them like any other shortcode and they fill in per booking when the guide is viewed. The property details are also offered to the Generate with AI tool, so it can write your guide around your real information.

Troubleshooting

• “RentalWise didn’t accept that token”: check the workspace address first. RentalWise gives the same answer for a mistyped address as for a wrong token. Then make sure you copied the whole token. If in doubt, create a fresh token and use Update API Token in BetterSTR. The new token is checked before it replaces the old one.
• “That doesn’t look like a RentalWise workspace address”: enter the address you log in at, ending in .rentalwise.io.
• A booking change isn’t showing yet: changes normally arrive within a couple of minutes. If you need one now, open the RentalWise page in BetterSTR and click Sync Reservations.
• A property is missing: check it isn’t disabled in RentalWise, then click Sync Properties.
• Older bookings are missing: use Full Sync on the RentalWise page to pull past stays.
• The guide link isn’t in my email: check the merge tag is spelled exactly as above, and that the booking is confirmed. Links are added to confirmed, upcoming bookings.
• Cancellations: cancelled, expired and rejected bookings all sync, and their scheduled guidebook messages stop automatically.
• Disconnecting: disconnecting switches off the notifications BetterSTR added in RentalWise. You can also delete the API token in RentalWise at any time.