Instant Book or manual approval: how to choose for your property

Would you rather a guest book your property on the spot, or read their request before you say yes? Both approaches work. The real question is which one fits the way you operate, your property and the time you have to respond.

With Instant Book, the guest confirms without waiting for you. With manual approval, every request goes through your hands first. This guide explains what each option gains and risks, when one makes more sense than the other, and how to switch modes without complications. If you run your rental from the US, the time difference is part of the decision too.

Key Takeaways

• Instant Book removes a step for the guest, but it requires your calendar and rules to be current at all times.
• Manual approval lets you review each request, in exchange for responding quickly and consistently.
• Your property type, stay length and availability to reply matter more than any general rule.
• You can start with one mode, review the results and switch when you have more information.

Table of Contents

• What changes between the two options
• When Instant Book makes sense
• When manual approval makes sense
• How each mode works on SimpleStay

What changes between the two options

The difference is who takes the last step. With Instant Book, a guest who meets your conditions books and pays without waiting for a reply. With manual approval, they send a request and the booking only moves forward when you accept it.

What the guest gains

For the traveler, Instant Book is more convenient. They don't have to wait or put the trip on hold while you decide. This matters most for last-minute bookings or when the guest is comparing several options at once.

What you gain

Manual approval gives you control. You can read the guest's message, ask about the reason for the trip, confirm how many people are coming and clear up questions before committing the dates. That control has a cost: if you're slow to reply, the guest may book somewhere else.

When Instant Book makes sense

Instant Book works best when your operation is already in order and you don't need to talk with every guest before hosting them.

Signs it suits you

• Your calendar is always current and you block the dates you can't host.
• Your house rules, capacity and check-in times are written clearly.
• Arrival is simple, with instructions you can send to any guest.
• You get many short stays, such as business travelers in Santo Domingo or weekend couples.
• You can't always reply quickly because of work or the time difference with the island.

The risk you need to cover

If you confirm without reviewing, everything the guest needs to know has to be in the listing. A rule you didn't write can't be enforced later. Review your listing as if you were a new guest and fill any gaps before turning on Instant Book.

When manual approval makes sense

Manual approval makes sense when each booking needs more conversation, or when the impact of the wrong guest is greater.

Cases where it protects you

A large villa with a pool in Punta Cana, a house in a gated community with strict rules or a property with valuable belongings often benefits from a review first. It also helps if you're just starting and want to get to know your first guests, or if check-in depends on someone from your team being available.

How to handle a request well

If you choose to approve each request, speed is part of the service. This process helps you decide without losing time:

1. Read the whole request. Dates, number of guests and any message.
2. Check it against your calendar. Confirm there's no pending cleaning or maintenance.
3. Make sure it fits your rules. Capacity, pets, events and check-in times.
4. Ask what's missing. A short question beats a hasty decline.
5. Accept or decline kindly. If you decline, explain the reason without judging.

Decide every request with clear criteria and apply them equally to everyone. Never decline because of nationality, origin, religion or any other personal trait.

How each mode works on SimpleStay

On SimpleStay you choose Instant Book or approval of each request from your listing. Requests arrive in your host dashboard with Accept and Decline buttons, and you get a notification and an email in your language. If a co-host helps you on the island, they can also manage bookings and messages from their own Co-Host dashboard.

Payment windows

An instant booking the guest doesn't pay is released after 24 hours, and the dates become available again. When you approve a request, the guest has 72 hours to pay. Payment is by card through Stripe Checkout, so you never handle card data. Stripe processing, bank fees, currency conversion and taxes may apply separately.

Calendar and long stays

A database guard prevents double bookings within SimpleStay, and on the Availability page you block the dates you don't want to offer. If you also list on other channels, your calendar needs extra attention; read our guide to keeping your availability calendar current and avoiding double bookings. Stays of 3, 6 or 12 months are always request-to-book, even if your nightly stays use Instant Book.

Choose the mode you can sustain

The best option is the one you can keep up every day. If your listing is complete and your calendar current, Instant Book removes friction for the guest. If you prefer to know each person before hosting them, manual approval gives you that room, as long as you reply on time. For a sense of traveler flow in the country, the overview of tourism in the Dominican Republic is useful context.

Try the mode you choose on SimpleStay. Every new listing comes with a free trial of 30 days, or 7 days for listings located in the United States. After that it's US$50 a month per property, with 0% SimpleStay commission and unlimited bookings.

List your property with a free trial

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Instant Book?

It's a mode where the guest books and pays without waiting for your approval, as long as the dates are available. It removes a step for the traveler, but it requires your calendar and rules to be current at all times.

What happens if a guest doesn't pay an instant booking on SimpleStay?

The booking is released after 24 hours if the guest doesn't complete payment, and the dates become available to other guests again.

How long does the guest have to pay after I approve a request?

On SimpleStay, the guest has 72 hours to pay after you approve their request. Payment is made by card through Stripe Checkout.

Can I use Instant Book for rentals of several months?

No. Stays of 3, 6 or 12 months are always request-to-book. You accept or decline each one, then agree the terms directly with the renter in the Inbox.

Can I decline a booking request?

Yes. With manual approval, every request arrives in your dashboard with Accept and Decline buttons. Decide with clear criteria, apply them equally to everyone and explain the reason kindly.