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Digital Guidebooks for Host Tools

Put a personal guide link in every Host Tools message, with lock codes and WiFi already filled in

BetterSTR
INTEGRATION
Automation Platform

Made for hosts who automate with Host Tools

Host Tools is known for automated guest messaging, with rules that send the right message at the right point in a stay, alongside channel management and pricing. Hosts who use it tend to want everything hands-off, and that's where BetterSTR fits: each reservation that reaches Host Tools gets a personalised guide, and the guide link can go out inside the messages Host Tools already sends. Host Tools also shares more listing detail than most PMSs, including WiFi details, house rules and lock codes, so guides need less typing to set up.

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What syncs from Host Tools

Each Host Tools listing becomes a BetterSTR property, and each reservation on it gets a guide link:

DataSynced?Notes
ListingsYesName, address, map position, bedrooms, beds, bathrooms, maximum guests, currency and timezone.
ReservationsYesStay dates, new reservations, changes and cancellations. Blocked dates are skipped.
Guest name, phone and emailYesFirst name, last name and contact details as held by Host Tools.
Party size and sourceYesNumber of guests and the channel the reservation came from.
Door or lock codesYesThe lock code on each Host Tools reservation is passed to that guest's guide.
Check-in and check-out timesYesListing defaults, plus the times set on each reservation.
WiFi, house rules and area notesYesWiFi details, house rules and the neighbourhood overview from your Host Tools listing.
Listing photosPartialThe listing's main picture is used as the guide cover. Upload more photos in the guide builder.
Listing descriptionYesYour Host Tools short description or full description.

How the Host Tools connection works

1

Copy your auth token

Your Host Tools auth token is on the Settings page at app.hosttools.com/settings. If you can't see it, Host Tools support can issue one.

2

Paste it into BetterSTR

Choose Host Tools on the Integrations page and paste the token. It is checked against your Host Tools account on the spot, and a webhook is set up for you.

3

Add the link to your messages

Listings and upcoming reservations load within a minute or two. Add the guide link to a Host Tools message rule once and every future guest receives theirs.

Webhook driven, near instant

Host Tools sends BetterSTR a webhook each time a reservation is created, changed or cancelled, and the reservation is saved as soon as it arrives, so a new guest's guide is ready almost immediately. The first import covers reservations from today up to two years ahead. If you want past guests too, for example to use BetterSTR's SMS marketing, run the optional historical sync from the Host Tools page in BetterSTR. BetterSTR also writes each guide's link back onto the reservation in Host Tools.

Good to know

  • There's no scheduled re-check of Host Tools, so if a webhook is ever lost, click Sync Reservations to bring things up to date.
  • After adding a new listing in Host Tools, click Sync Properties in BetterSTR so its reservations have a property to attach to.
  • Host Tools limits each request to a two-year window, which is why longer historical syncs run in stages.

Pairing guides with Host Tools messaging

Host Tools doesn't add its own shortcode menu. The guest's name, stay dates, times, party size and lock code fill BetterSTR's standard guest and booking shortcodes. A typical setup:

  • Booking confirmation rule: a short welcome with the guide link, so guests can read up before travelling.
  • Pre-arrival rule: the same link, with a nudge to check directions and entry instructions in the guide.
  • In the guide itself: WiFi QR code, house rules and local tips, plus QR codes you can stick on appliances that open the matching section.

If the property has a TV, the guide can also run on an Android TV guest display.

Add guides to your Host Tools setup

One auth token. Reservations arrive by webhook, lock codes included.

Free plan

Integration included

2 years

Of upcoming stays on first import

Lock codes

Per reservation

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No credit card required. SMS and other add-ons are optional.

Integration Partner

Visit hosttools.com

Host Tools guides and links

Host Tools questions

Where do I find my Host Tools auth token?

Log in to Host Tools and open the Settings page at app.hosttools.com/settings, where the auth token is shown. If you can't find it, Host Tools support can issue a token for your account.

How do I send the guide link in Host Tools messages?

Each reservation gets its own guide link in BetterSTR, and BetterSTR also writes the link back onto the reservation in Host Tools. Add it to a message rule, such as your booking confirmation or pre-arrival message, and every guest receives their own guide.

Can the guide show the guest's lock code?

Yes. When a Host Tools reservation has a lock code, it is passed to that guest's guide, so each guest only sees their own code.

Can I import past Host Tools reservations?

Yes. The first sync covers reservations from today up to two years ahead. An optional historical sync on the Host Tools page in BetterSTR brings in older stays, which is useful for SMS marketing to past guests.

A reservation is missing. What should I do?

Reservations normally arrive by webhook within moments. If one is missing, open the Host Tools page in BetterSTR and click Sync Reservations to fetch everything again.