Connect HomeToGo to Smoobu
Europe's largest vacation rental metasearch — connect via API, keep calendars and rates in sync, and optimise listings for HomeToGo search.
What HomeToGo is and why it's worth it
HomeToGo is Europe's largest vacation rental metasearch — comparable to Google Hotels, but specifically for short-term rentals. HomeToGo aggregates listings from Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, and hundreds of other platforms, showing them bundled to travellers searching.
As a Smoobu host, you can list your properties directly on HomeToGo — without going through Airbnb or Booking.com. This gives you better margins (no double commissions) and visibility in a market that's growing faster than Airbnb in the German and European space.
Setting up the API connection (recommended)
Smoobu has a native API integration with HomeToGo. This means: calendar, prices, and booking details sync in real time — no manual updates. These steps are based on HomeToGo's partner portal documentation as of July 2026 — verify current steps at hometogo.com.
Create a HomeToGo partner account
Go to hometogo.com/partner and create a free partner account. You'll need: business name, address, IBAN (for payouts), and a brief description of your properties. Approval typically takes 2–5 business days.
Activate HomeToGo as a channel in Smoobu
In Smoobu: Settings → Channels → HomeToGo → "Connect". Enter your HomeToGo partner ID and the API key from the HomeToGo partner portal under "Settings → API". Save.
Map properties
After connecting, Smoobu shows your properties and HomeToGo listings side by side. Map each Smoobu property to the corresponding HomeToGo listing. If you don't have a HomeToGo listing yet, you can create one from within Smoobu ("Create new listing").
Check pricing rules
HomeToGo picks up your Smoobu base prices. Check in Smoobu → Channels → HomeToGo → Pricing settings whether you want to add a markup or discount relative to your standard OTA prices. For direct HomeToGo bookings, slightly higher prices than Airbnb can make sense since you're not paying Airbnb's commission.
Verify with a test block
After connecting, check in HomeToGo that your listing is visible and that the calendar reflects blocked dates from Smoobu. Create a manual block in Smoobu and verify it appears on HomeToGo within 5–10 minutes.
Optimising listings for HomeToGo search
HomeToGo is a metasearch — travellers compare prices and availability from many sources simultaneously. Your listing competes directly with your own Airbnb and Booking.com listings. Here's how to stand out:
Complete your amenities list
HomeToGo filters by amenities: balcony, parking, Wi-Fi, washing machine, pets allowed. The more complete your amenities list in Smoobu, the more often you appear in filtered searches. Review the amenity fields in Smoobu → Property → Amenities and add everything that's actually there.
Photos: exterior or main living space first
In HomeToGo search results, the first photo is shown as the listing thumbnail. Don't use a bedroom or bathroom here — use the strongest overall image of the property: living area, terrace, or exterior. Smoobu passes your photos in the order set in your Smoobu listing.
Watch price consistency
HomeToGo shows prices from multiple sources side by side. If your Airbnb price (including Airbnb's service fee shown to guests) is lower than your direct HomeToGo price, guests will click through to Airbnb. Make sure your HomeToGo price is competitive — factoring in that you're not paying Airbnb's commission on these bookings.
Response time and acceptance rate
HomeToGo favours listings with high booking acceptance rates and fast response times. Check these KPIs in your HomeToGo partner portal. With Instant Book enabled in Smoobu, your acceptance rate improves automatically.
Common issues
My listing isn't visible on HomeToGo even though the connection is active
HomeToGo reviews new listings before making them public. This process typically takes 3–7 business days after the initial connection. Check the listing status in your HomeToGo partner portal — you'll see "Under review", "Active", or "Rejected" (with reason). Common rejection reasons: incomplete address, insufficient photos (usually minimum 5), or no price calendar.
Prices on HomeToGo don't match Smoobu
Check in Smoobu → Channels → HomeToGo → Pricing settings for any configured markup or discount. HomeToGo also shows total prices including all booking fees — if you have cleaning fees or city tax configured separately in Smoobu, these are added. This reflects the actual price guests pay.
HomeToGo bookings aren't appearing in Smoobu
Check whether the HomeToGo → Smoobu webhook connection is active (in the HomeToGo partner portal: Settings → API → Webhook status). If the webhook isn't configured, bookings won't transfer automatically. Alternatively, HomeToGo can be connected to Smoobu via iCal export — less ideal but usable as a fallback.
Want to set up HomeToGo and other channels? Happy to help with full channel setup — including a direct booking website.
Get in touch → → Set up all channels in Smoobu → Build a direct booking channelThe PMS I run my own rental on. Airbnb, Booking.com, and direct bookings in one place — I've used Smoobu for years on my own property. 14-day free trial, no credit card.
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