Hotel Booking App Development: Build Your Own in 6 Steps

Creating a hotel booking app can revolutionize the guest experience at your property, enabling seamless room browsing, real-time availability checks, and instant reservations. Yet traditional app development presents significant barriers—expensive developer fees, months of coding work, and the technical complexity of building for multiple platforms simultaneously.

That's where Adalo comes in. Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms. AI-assisted building and streamlined publishing enable launch to the Apple App Store and Google Play in days rather than months. This means you can create a fully functional, branded hotel booking app without writing code or breaking your budget.

Why Adalo Works for Hotel Booking App Development

Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. This makes it the perfect solution for hospitality businesses looking to create a professional hotel booking app without hiring developers or learning complex programming languages.

Having your hotel booking app available on both app stores means guests can easily find and download it, whether they use iPhone or Android devices. You'll also be able to send push notifications about special promotions, booking confirmations, and check-in reminders—keeping guests engaged and encouraging repeat bookings.

Building a hotel booking app can transform how guests interact with your property—allowing them to browse rooms, check availability, and complete reservations seamlessly. However, traditional app development requires significant technical expertise, expensive developer fees, and months of coding work, putting custom solutions out of reach for many hospitality businesses.

Adalo, an AI-powered app builder, changes this equation entirely. With its drag-and-drop interface and AI-assisted building tools, you can create database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms. Streamlined publishing enables launch to the Apple App Store and Google Play in days rather than months. This means you can create a professional hotel booking app tailored to your brand without writing a single line of code.

Why Adalo Works for Hotel Booking App Development

Adalo creates true native iOS and Android apps alongside web apps from a single codebase. This makes it the ideal solution for hospitality businesses looking to create a professional hotel booking app without hiring developers or learning complex programming languages.

Having your hotel booking app available on both app stores means guests can easily find and download it, whether they use iPhone or Android devices. You'll also be able to send push notifications about special promotions, booking confirmations, and check-in reminders—keeping guests engaged and encouraging repeat bookings.

An app can boost your business by streamlining bookings and payments for your bed and breakfast, hotel, or rental property. The best part? You can build it without knowing how to code.

Read on to learn:

Let's jump right into the first steps of hotel booking app development.

Getting Started With Hotel Booking App Development

You're itching to create a hotel booking app so guests can browse, select, and pay for rooms with just a few taps of their phones. Plus, you won't need to pay commissions to a third-party app provider if you have a hotel app of your own.

But before we walk you through hotel booking app development, you'll need a few prerequisites. Nail down the following first:

The 3 Parts of Every Hotel Booking App

Before we talk about the steps that you'll take to build your hotel booking app, it's time for a quick lesson about the 3 parts that make up your app:

Adalo's Ecosystem

Here is a list of Adalo's building resources, which can provide valuable info about building an app. If you ever run into a few speedbumps or you have some questions about applying special features, check out the following:

It's time to build!

How To Develop A Booking App: 6 Steps

Step 1: Get Your Booking App Template

Adalo comes with nearly 40 different fully loaded templates. Since you'll be building a hotel booking app, we recommend that you get Adalo's appointments app template. It comes with premade functionalities like a booking tool and a Stripe integration, which we'll talk about later.

You'll also find premade screens, which you can reconfigure by adding your hotel's pictures, hotel info, and anything else, along with a database and backend.

Ada, Adalo's AI builder, lets you describe what you want and generates your app. Magic Start creates complete app foundations from a description, while Magic Add adds features through natural language.

For an even faster start, Magic Start can generate a complete app foundation from a simple description. Tell it you need a hotel booking app with room listings, availability calendars, and payment processing, and it creates your database structure, screens, and user flows automatically—what used to take days of planning happens in minutes.

Step 2: Customizing Your Hotel Booking App

Adalo allows you to transform your booking template into your own unique, on-brand app catered to your hotel's features. You'll cobble your hotel app together using Adalo's building interface, made up of these 3 parts:

  1. Adalo's Building Canvas: Found at your screen's center, this is literally the "canvas on which you'll paint your app." Your app's screens all live here, and you can access each one by clicking on it on the Building Canvas.

    Additionally, you can also edit parts of your app directly on your building canvas. Just use your cursor to move pictures, text boxes, and buttons to where you want them to be on your app.

  1. The Horizontal Ribbon: The Horizontal Ribbon stretches across the top of your screen, and its main functionality is providing a place to access your Adalo account settings and preview your app.
  1. The Editing Dashboard: More or less the "control center" of your app building interface, Adalo's Editing Dashboard falls vertically down the left-hand side of your screen. You'll use this to access various tools to create your app.

    You'll find buttons that let you change your app's colors, edit your database, add or delete pages, publish to the app stores, and much more.

Your Editing Dashboard: An Overview of the Functions

With 9 total buttons, the Editing Dashboard is where you'll spend the most time when you're putting together your app. Each button, represented by an icon, serves its special building functionality, which you can see by hovering over it with your cursor.

Here's a brief overview of your Editing Dashboard's 9 different functionalities:

Step 3: Building Your Database

Adalo has a fully configurable database, which you can access by pressing the "Database Collections" button on your Editing Dashboard. After doing so, you'll see a list of your database collections, and your data groups will be organized into spreadsheets.

When you click on the collection you want to edit, a list of properties will appear as a drop-down list. Your properties are the classes of data within each collection. For instance, in a "Users" collection, your properties can include usernames, emails, profile pictures, and more.

Editing your properties is simple: Click on an individual property and use the editing box to configure it. You can also add new properties by selecting the "Add New Property" button at the bottom of your list.

Similarly, you'll be able to add new databases by clicking the "Add to Database" button at the bottom of your collections list.

With Adalo's modular infrastructure, your database can scale to handle apps with over 1 million monthly active users. There's no upper ceiling on records, so whether you're managing 100 room bookings or 100,000, your app maintains performance.

Connecting an External Database

Some folks already have a database built with a third-party provider like Google Sheets, Airtable, or Xano. Don't worry—you won't need to make the same database twice. From your "Database Collections" functionality, just scroll down to "Connect External Databases," push the button, and follow the instructions. Your external database should be good to go.

If you prefer working with spreadsheets, SheetBridge offers the easiest path—it transforms your Google Sheet into a proper database without requiring you to learn database concepts. You get the familiar spreadsheet interface with the power of a real app database behind it.

Step 4: Adding Functionalities

Adding functionalities like a booking form, payment integration, booking calendar, and more is a crucial step that can make your app stand out from the rest. We'll go over creating a booking feature, how to plug in your Stripe integration, and how to find other add-ons.

Configuring your Booking Feature

First, from your "Screens" button, scroll down to the "Book a Class" screen and select it. Because you're creating a hotel booking app, you'll want to change the title of your screen, which you can do by clicking the editing button next to the title and changing the name to "Book a Room" (or any other title that fits).

Next, ensure the booking form collects all the info you need. If you want to configure the form further, press the colorful "+" button and find the forms or elements that work for you. Then, click the form and select the database to which you want it to connect.

You can create new fields and edit colors and styles by clicking the "Fields Tab" from the "Setup" button.

Need to add a feature quickly? Magic Add lets you describe what you want in plain language. Type something like "add a date picker for check-in and check-out dates" and the feature gets added to your screen automatically.

Setting Up Payments

You'll want to give your clients the opportunity to pay right from your app. This makes life easy for them (and you)—plus, most other booking apps take payments. Adalo has a convenient Stripe integration that's super easy to set up.

First, hop over to Stripe's account setup page, follow the directions, and create your account. Then, return to Adalo, press the "+" button, and find the Stripe form. Configure it with the needed information, drag it over to your payments screen, and you're set.

Adding New Components and More

The "+" button has components, sections, screens, and features selection. You can scroll through these to add new forms, elements, and custom-made screens. Adding these is as simple as dragging them over from this part of the Editing Dashboard to the desired screen.

Adalo has a Components Marketplace full of additional features, like a messaging function, a mention input, a star-rater, and many more. Some components are free, and others cost between $10 and $45. Adding these components to your booking app can give it some extra oomph and make the customer experience more enjoyable.

Step 5: How To Preview Your Booking App

Want to see how your booking app looks and functions on mobile and desktop devices? On your Horizontal Ribbon, click the green "Preview App" button, navigate to "Staging Preview," and you'll see a live version of your app.

Importantly, preview each of your screens and check for typos while confirming that each button or link opens up to the right place. Get any problems you find fixed at once—lingering issues will most likely make the publishing process long and painful.

Before publishing, use X-Ray to identify potential performance issues. This AI-powered tool highlights areas that might slow down your app under heavy use—like a busy booking weekend—so you can optimize before your guests experience any problems.

Step 6: Publishing on the Web and in the App Stores

When you build your app with Adalo, you'll be able to publish it on the web, Apple App Store, and Google Play Store. Adalo also features a responsive app builder, meaning you won't need to make drastic changes to the same iteration of your app that you publish on these three platforms.

Let's talk about publishing your app to the web, which can be done by executing these tasks:

  1. On your horizontal ribbon, navigate to your profile button.
  2. Scroll down to "Settings" and select "Domain." Type in your domain (www.domain.co). Visit GoDaddy if you don't have a domain.
  3. Return to your Editing Dashboard, hit the "Publish" icon, and complete the steps. Soon, your web app will be on Google.

Publishing to the Apple App and Google Play Stores

Publishing a hotel booking app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store involves a few more steps than publishing to the web. However, publishing on the app stores is crucial to popularizing your app. Both platforms have a combined monthly visitor traffic of over 1 billion.

Before you begin the app store publishing process, you'll need to take a few preparatory steps:

Now, it's time to start taking the steps to publish your app on the app stores.

Publishing a Hotel Booking App on the Apple App Store

Navigate to the iOS developer site, create an account, and pay Apple's $99 developer fee. Follow the steps and enroll in Apple's app-testing program, Testflight, which lets users download your app to their iOS devices, try out your app, and provide you with feedback.

Consider this tester feedback and use it to improve your app. Doing so can improve your app's performance and iron out any wrinkles that might hinder it.

Now, return to Adalo's Editing Dashboard, push the "Publish" button, and complete the instructions for publishing to the iOS App Store. Apple's app approval process generally takes 1-2 business days, though it may take longer if your app requires adjustments.

Adalo handles the complex submission process—certificates, provisioning profiles, and store guidelines—so you can focus on your app's features rather than wrestling with Apple's technical requirements.

Publishing on the Google Play Store

Just like with Apple, you'll start by going over to Android's developer page, creating an account, and paying a one-time $25 enrollment fee. Sign up for Google's app-testing program, which is similar to Testflight.

After testing has finished and you've perfected your app, return to Adalo, press "Publish," and follow the Android steps. In most cases, Google should approve your app within a few days, though it can take longer if there are issues with the app.

Once published, you can push unlimited updates to both app stores without additional charges. When you make improvements to your hotel booking app, one update in Adalo pushes changes to web, iOS, and Android simultaneously.

Next Steps: Marketing and Maintenance

Once your app is live in the app stores, you'll probably want to work on getting as many downloads as possible. Just follow these directions:

Check up on your analytics daily—you'll be able to see which rooms are being viewed the most and which aren't, allowing you to make educated changes to your app so you can appeal to a broader audience.

Occasionally, you might encounter bugs and other technical difficulties. You'll need to fix these issues immediately, as they'll most directly contribute to a bad experience for all those using your app. Neglecting your app's problems will tarnish your reputation and lead to fewer bookings.

Ultimately, hotel booking app development is a game that never ends. You'll always need to put in at least a little marketing effort while keeping a close eye on your app's performance. However, doing so can significantly bolster your hotel operations and contribute to a more robust bottom line.

How Adalo Compares to Other App Building Options

When choosing a platform for your hotel booking app, understanding the alternatives helps you make an informed decision. Here's how Adalo stacks up against other popular options:

Adalo vs. Bubble

Bubble is a visual web app builder that offers extensive customization options. However, there are key differences for hotel booking apps:

Mobile app approach: Bubble's mobile solution wraps the web app rather than creating true native apps. This can introduce performance challenges at scale and means updates don't automatically sync across web, Android, and iOS deployments. Adalo compiles to native code, publishing one build to all three platforms simultaneously.

Pricing and predictability: Bubble starts at $59/month with usage-based charges through Workload Units, which can be difficult to predict. Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited usage—no surprise bills as your guest bookings increase.

Database limits: Bubble imposes record limits based on plan tier. Adalo's paid plans include unrestricted database storage, important when you're storing years of booking history, guest profiles, and room data.

Adalo vs. Glide

Glide excels at quickly building spreadsheet-based apps with set templates. For hotel booking apps, consider:

Creative freedom: Glide's template-focused approach creates fast builds but limits customization. If you want a unique booking experience that reflects your hotel's brand, Adalo's visual builder offers more flexibility.

App store publishing: Glide does not support Apple App Store or Google Play Store publishing. If you want guests to find your app in the stores, Adalo handles the entire submission process.

Pricing: Glide starts at $60/month for custom domain apps, but includes limits on app updates and data rows that attract additional charges. Adalo's $36/month plan includes unlimited updates and no data caps.

Adalo vs. FlutterFlow

FlutterFlow is a low-code builder designed for technical users:

Learning curve: FlutterFlow requires users to set up and manage their own external database, which involves significant learning complexity. Adalo includes a built-in database that scales automatically.

Pricing complexity: FlutterFlow starts at $70/month per user for app store publishing, but this doesn't include database costs—you'll need to source, set up, and pay for that separately. Adalo's pricing includes everything you need.

Builder experience: FlutterFlow's builder limits how many screens you can view simultaneously. Adalo can display up to 400 screens at once, giving you a comprehensive view of your entire hotel booking flow.

Adalo vs. Softr

Softr focuses on spreadsheet-based web app building:

Native apps: Softr does not support iOS and Android app creation or App Store publishing. For a hotel booking app that guests can download to their phones, Adalo is the better choice.

Pricing: Softr starts at $167/month for Progressive Web App publishing, with restrictions on records per app. Adalo's $36/month plan includes native app publishing with no record limits.

FAQ

Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions?

Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates true native iOS and Android apps. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store from a single codebase—the hardest part of launching an app handled automatically. With unlimited database records on paid plans and no usage-based charges, you get predictable costs as your hotel grows.

What's the fastest way to build and publish an app to the App Store?

Adalo's drag-and-drop interface and AI-assisted building tools let you go from idea to published app in days rather than months. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from descriptions, and Adalo handles the complex App Store submission process—certificates, provisioning profiles, and guidelines—so you can focus on your hotel booking features.

Can I easily build a hotel booking app without coding experience?

Yes, with Adalo you can build a hotel booking app without any coding experience. Using the drag-and-drop interface and pre-built templates like the appointments app template, you can create a professional booking app with features like room showcases, online reservations, payment integration, and push notifications.

How much does it cost to build a hotel booking app with Adalo?

Building a hotel booking app with Adalo starts at $36/month, which is significantly cheaper than hiring a hotel booking app development company. This pricing includes publishing to the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and web, along with unlimited database records and unlimited usage—no surprise charges as your bookings grow.

How long does it take to build a hotel booking app?

With Adalo's templates and AI-assisted building tools, you can have a functional hotel booking app ready in days rather than months. Magic Start generates your app foundation from a description, and Magic Add lets you add features by describing what you want. Most builders complete their first app within a week.

Can I integrate payment processing into my hotel booking app?

Yes, Adalo includes a convenient Stripe integration that makes setting up payments simple. You can create a Stripe account, then add the Stripe form component to your app and configure it—allowing guests to pay for room bookings directly within your app without any coding required.

What resources are available if I need help building my hotel booking app?

Adalo provides extensive support through its ecosystem including detailed Help Documents with video tutorials, an active community Forum where you can connect with other builders and get answers to technical questions, and the Adalo Academy with structured lessons and modules. You can also hire certified Adalo experts if you need professional assistance.

Can I connect my existing database to an Adalo hotel booking app?

Yes, if you already have a database built with providers like Google Sheets, Airtable, or Xano, you can easily integrate it into your Adalo app. SheetBridge makes this especially easy for Google Sheets users—it transforms your spreadsheet into a proper database without requiring you to learn database concepts.

Which is more affordable, Adalo or Bubble?

Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited usage and no record limits. Bubble starts at $59/month with usage-based Workload Unit charges and record limits based on plan tier. For hotel booking apps where you need predictable costs as bookings grow, Adalo offers better value.

Is Adalo better than Glide for mobile apps?

For hotel booking apps that need to be in the App Store and Play Store, yes. Glide does not support native app publishing to either store. Adalo creates true native iOS and Android apps and handles the entire submission process, making it the better choice for mobile distribution.

Can my hotel booking app scale as my business grows?

Yes, Adalo's modular infrastructure scales to serve apps with over 1 million monthly active users with no upper ceiling. The Adalo 3.0 backend runs 3-4x faster than previous versions, and X-Ray identifies potential performance issues before they affect your guests.