How to Book Direct and Save on Airbnb Fees

Posted by

On June 15, 2025

If you’ve ever booked a stay on Airbnb, you’ve probably felt that sting of the extra fees added at checkout. What starts as a great deal often balloons once the service fees, cleaning charges, and taxes are applied.

But here’s the good news — you don’t always need to book through Airbnb to enjoy the same property. More travellers in the UK are now choosing to book Airbnb directly to save money, get more flexibility, and enjoy direct communication with the host.

In this blog, we’ll explain:

Why booking direct can save you 10–20%
How to find and book directly with trusted hosts
What to watch out for when skipping the platform
And howEason Stays, a UK-wide short-term let management company, makes it simple and safe.

Why Are There So Many Fees on Airbnb?

Let’s break it down.

When you book on Airbnb, the platform adds:

Aguest service fee(usually 14% or more)
Acleaning fee(set by the host)
VATand taxes (depending on location)

A £100-per-night stay over three nights could quickly rise to £370+ once everything is added. It’s not uncommon for guests to end up paying £50–£100 more than the base price.

So what if you couldskip the platform and go straight to the source?

What Does It Mean to Book Direct?

Booking direct means reserving your stay directly through the host’s or property manager’s own website, instead of going through third-party platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com.

Many hosts — especially professional companies likeEason Stays — run their websites with secure booking systems. The properties are the same, the service is just as high-quality (if not better), and theprice is often lower.

By cutting out Airbnb’s service fees, you save money, and the host or manager gets to keep more of the earnings — everyone wins.

How Much Can You Actually Save?

Here’s a real example from one of our guests:

“We saw a gorgeous one-bedroom flat in Manchester on Airbnb for £480 for four nights. After all the fees, it came to £538. We found the same property listed byEason Staysfor just £460 with no hidden extras. Booking direct saved us nearly £80.”

Multiply that by a week-long trip, or multiple bookings a year, and the savings can really add up.

INSERT PICTURE

How to Book Airbnb Direct in the UK (Without the Risk)

Booking directly doesn’t mean messaging a random Facebook page or transferring money via a bank account. It’s important to be safe and smart — here’s how:

✅ Step 1: Find the Company or Host Behind the Listing

Many Airbnb listings are managed by short-let companies likeEason Stays. Their name might be in the listing, the review section, or the profile bio. A quick Google search usually reveals their website.

✅ Step 2: Check the Website

Look for:

Professional layout
Secure booking/payment systems
Contact details (email, phone, address)
Real guest reviews or testimonials

✅ Step 3: Book Through Their Site

Most professional hosts use secure systems like Stripe, Opayo, or PayPal for card payments. You’ll often get a confirmation email and direct access to the guest team — no delays, no bots.

What Perks Come with Booking Direct?

Other than saving money, booking directly gives you:

💬 Better Communication

Skip the slow Airbnb inbox. Speak directly to the team managing your stay, with faster responses and more flexibility.

🎁 Added Extras

Companies often throw in perks for direct bookers — think free parking, early check-in, welcome hampers, or loyalty discounts for repeat guests.

🛌 Custom Stays

Travelling for work? Need pet-friendly options? Want a romantic setup for your anniversary? These are much easier to organise when you deal directly with the team, not through an algorithm.

AtEason Stays, we often personalise the experience for our guests, from flexible check-in to tailored local recommendations. It’s part of our service across the UK.

Is Booking Direct Safe?

This is one of the biggest concerns people have — and rightly so.

The truth is, booking directly is completely safe when you go through a reputable provider. Look for trust signals like:

A clear privacy policy
Secure payment icons (padlocks, HTTPS)
Google business reviews
An active presence on social media

You wouldn’t wire money to a stranger on Gumtree — and you shouldn’t when booking accommodation either. But with a company likeEason Stays, you’re dealing with a trusted UK-based team with a track record of 5-star guest experiences.

When Should You Still Use Airbnb?

There are a few scenarios where booking through Airbnb still makes sense:

You’re using Airbnb credit or vouchers
You want to use “Pay in 3” or instalment plans
You’re booking with a brand-new host with no external site

But for most stays — especially longer or repeat visits — booking direct will always come out on top in terms of value, communication, and experience.

Tips to Help You Spot Direct Booking Opportunities

Here’s how to find direct booking options for properties you love:

Google the property nameif it has one (e.g., “Kelham Island Apartment Sheffield”)
Reverse image searchthe photos — this can lead you to the company website
Check review platforms (like Trustpilot or Google Reviews) for links
Look for logos or branding in the Airbnb photos or descriptions
Ask the hostnicely if they have a website, especially after your first stay

Final Thoughts: Save Money, Get More

The next time you’re browsing Airbnb, remember — you don’t have to book through it. You can often get the same property for less just by booking directly.

It’s easier than you think. It’s safe with the right company. And it makes travel feel just that little bit more personal.

💡 Want to Book Direct Today?

Explore stays with Eason Stays and save on your next trip across the UK.
We’ve got handpicked apartments in prime locations — all professionally managed, cleaned, and ready for you.

👉 Book your next stay directly with us and avoid Airbnb fees

Prefer to speak to someone first? Get in touch with our guest team at team@easonproperty.com or visit our site to learn more.

Eason Stays premium short-term accommodation without the middleman.

E-mail : team@easonproperty.com