Booking engine site integration

[Scotch Argus]

I was just interested what booking engines people are choosing to integrate with their sites. Mostly it seems to be hostelworld - for obvious reasons. Are there any other viable options? We haven't put any booking facility directly on our site - I imagine that this would be a good idea. We currently are just listed on hostelworld.

My understanding is that hostelworld want all the beds made available to them. Is this true? Would seem a bit restrictive to me. Especially if you are using alternative engines such as hostelbookers.

Also if people are using hostelworld are thye using the backpack online system as the bed management system? Is this a requirement?

Sorry for all the questions - we're interested in getting something up, just wondering if anyone had previous good/bad experiences they wanted to share.

Cheers

[Hostels]

There is a website booking integration directory on this site (though still not complete).

I've only used Bookhostels (Hostelworld) and roomMaster 2000's custom booking interface.

I like Hostelbooker's Powerhostels, but it's all JavaScript... that meant that if visitors arrive on the booking page with JavaScript turned off in their browser they just see a blank page...

[Scotch Argus]

Thanks for that. I must admit, as we're currently using backpack online the attraction of having the bokings all integrated is pretty strong. If we went for anything else then we'd have to manually put bookings into our system. I can see where you're coming from regarding powerhostels and javascript too - the worst thing that can happen is to end up with a blank page.

Our website's coming up the ranking (thanks for your tips and help) so I feel we need the facility for direct bookings soon.

Cheers.

(BTW the contact powerhostels.com link on your powerhostels info page is dead.)

[Hostels]

Thanks for the tip about the broken link. I just fixed it.