SMS for hotels and homestays

Bulk SMS for hotels and homestays

Confirm direct bookings, send directions and check-in details before arrival, log guests on to Wi-Fi with a code and bring them back for the next long weekend.

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Business and city hotelsResortsHomestays and villasHeritage propertiesBanquet and wedding venues

SMS from a resort header with check-in time, a directions link and help number the day before arrival, then a Wi-Fi OTP

How do hotels use SMS for guests?

Hotels, resorts and homestays use SMS to confirm direct bookings and advance payments, send check-in time and a directions link the day before arrival, issue guest Wi-Fi login codes, share the final bill and a feedback link at checkout, and invite past guests back for holidays. Guest messages are service implicit; offers to past guests are promotional.

Updated 15 Nov 2026

Key facts: SMS for hotels and homestays

Channel: Bulk SMS
Best for: Direct booking confirmation; Pre-arrival details; Guest Wi-Fi login code
SMS categories: Service implicit, OTP, Promotional
Who it suits: Business and city hotels, Resorts, Homestays and villas, Heritage properties, Banquet and wedding venues
Rules: TRAI DLT: registered entity, header and content template for every SMS; promotional SMS only 10 am to 9 pm and not to DND numbers
Pricing model: Prepaid credits quoted by volume, GST extra. How pricing works
Integration: REST API and webhooks (message.delivered, message.failed, message.clicked) into your own software. SMS API

What problems does SMS solve for hotels and homestays?

Guests lost on the last kilometreHill and village properties are hard to find, and guests call the front desk from a dark road asking for directions.

OTA guests never come directGuests found you on a booking site, enjoyed the stay, and book through the same site next time, with commission to pay again.

Wi-Fi passwords on a cardA shared password printed at reception gets passed around, and you have no record of who used the guest network.

Which SMS should hotels and homestays send?

Service implicit

Direct booking confirmationBooking ID, room type, dates, amount paid and balance due, sent when a direct or phone booking is made.→ Guest confidence

Service implicit

Pre-arrival detailsCheck-in time, a map link, parking notes and the duty manager's number the day before arrival.→ Smoother arrivals

OTP

Guest Wi-Fi login codeA one-time code to sign in to the guest network with the registered mobile, as most Indian hotel captive portals require.→ Logged, secure Wi-Fi

Service implicit

Checkout bill and feedbackFinal bill amount, invoice link and a short feedback link sent at checkout.→ Faster checkouts, more reviews

Service implicit

Banquet and event remindersEvent date, hall, guest count confirmation and advance due for weddings and corporate bookings.→ Fewer last-minute changes

Promotional

Long weekend and season offersDirect-booking offers for Holi, Diwali or summer holidays to past guests, from a numeric header between 10 am and 9 pm.→ More direct bookings

Ready-to-use SMS templates for hotels and homestays

Copy, edit and use these as a starting point.

Pre-arrivalService implicit

Dear {#var#}, we look forward to welcoming you on {#var#}. Check-in from {#var#}. Directions: {#var#}. For help on the way call {#var#}. -Riverstay Resort

Wi-Fi codeOTP

{#var#} is your OTP to connect to {#var#} guest Wi-Fi. Valid for {#var#} minutes. -Riverstay Resort

CheckoutService implicit

Dear {#var#}, thank you for staying with us. Your bill of Rs {#var#} for booking {#var#} is settled. Invoice: {#var#} Tell us about your stay: {#var#} -Riverstay Resort

How does SMS work for hotels and homestays?

The PMS holds the bookingDirect, phone and OTA bookings sit in your property management system or channel manager.
Messages follow the stayConfirmation on booking, pre-arrival the day before, Wi-Fi codes on request and the bill at checkout, each from a registered template.
Guests act from linksMap, invoice and feedback links are tracked, so you see who opened directions or left feedback.
Past guests become a listCheckout records feed the list for season offers, sent as promotional SMS in allowed hours.

Connect your softwareHotel PMS, channel managers and guest Wi-Fi captive portals can send SMS through the MsgClub API; homestays without a PMS can send confirmations from the web panel or mobile app. SMS API · API and webhooks · Pricing

ComplianceBooking, arrival, Wi-Fi and checkout messages are service implicit or OTP. Holiday offers to past guests are promotional, needing DND scrubbing, a numeric header and the 10 am to 9 pm window. SMS reaches Indian mobile numbers; use email or WhatsApp for foreign guests.

Which other channels suit hotels and homestays?

Use them together from one account, with shared contacts, reports and webhooks.

WhatsApp for hotels and homestaysHow do hotels use WhatsApp Business API?See WhatsApp

RCS for hotels and homestaysHow do hotels use RCS messaging?See RCS

IVR for hotels and homestaysHow do hotels use IVR?See IVR

Voice broadcast for hotels and homestaysIs voice broadcast useful for hotels?See Voice broadcast

Missed call for hotels and homestaysIs a missed call number useful for a hotel?See Missed call

AI calling for hotels and homestaysTwo-way AI agents that talk to callers in Hindi, English and other Indian languages, unlike a recorded message.See AI Voice

Compare every channel for hotels and homestays

Questions about bulk SMS for hotels and homestays

Can a hotel send SMS to guests who booked through an OTA?

Yes, if you have the guest's mobile number and the booking site's terms allow you to contact them about the stay. Pre-arrival and checkout messages are service implicit. Many OTAs mask guest contact details, so check what you actually receive before planning messages.

Why do hotels use OTP for guest Wi-Fi?

Because the guest network needs to know who is using it. A captive portal asks for the mobile number, sends a one-time code and logs the session against that guest. Register the code template in the OTP category so it arrives in seconds.

What should a pre-arrival SMS include?

Check-in time, a map link to the exact gate, a number that will answer on the way, and any notes such as parking or the last stretch of road. Send it the evening before arrival. Keep the link domain whitelisted on DLT so the message is not blocked.

Should we use WhatsApp instead of SMS for guests?

Use both for different jobs. WhatsApp is better for conversations, photos of the room and requests during the stay, and works for international guests. SMS is reliable for confirmations, OTPs and arrival details that must reach every Indian guest, with or without data on the road.

Can we send festival offers to past guests?

Yes, as promotional SMS. Send them from a numeric header between 10 am and 9 pm; numbers on DND are removed automatically. To reach DND guests, capture consent at checkout and register a service explicit template, then send offers only to those who agreed.

Do homestays need DLT registration?

Yes, if they send SMS through a provider. Every sender of commercial SMS registers an entity on an operator DLT platform, including a single homestay run by its owner. Registration needs PAN and a business proof such as a GST certificate, Udyam certificate or local licence.