Best card machine for B&Bs and Airbnb hosts
Independent B&Bs, self-catering hosts, Airbnb / VRBO operators. Booking-platform-mediated revenue plus direct bookings.
Our pick
Stripe Reader S700 or Tap to Pay on iPhone
Acquirer: Stripe
Most revenue is platform-mediated (Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO process the payments). Direct bookings need card-on-file plus chip-and-PIN for in-person checkout charges. Stripe handles both.
Card machines compared for B&Bs and Airbnb hosts
Headline rate, hardware cost, contract and form factor at a glance, from our full terminal reviews.
| Rank | Terminal | Rate | Hardware | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Stripe Reader S700 Our pick | Custom (Stripe pricing) | £229 | Stripe terms |
| #2 | Square Terminal | 1.75% per transaction (UK) | £149 to £199 | No contract |
Why this trade matters
- Cashflow shape
- Booking-platform settlement varies (Airbnb 24h after check-in, Booking.com on commission cycle). Direct bookings via own card flow.
- Average transaction
- £80 to £400 per booking
- Contactless share
- ~40%
Watch outs
- Platform-mediated revenue means most card flow is not via your own acquirer.
- Pre-authorisation holds for damage deposits need handling.
- Booking-platform fee deductions need separate reconciliation.
Alternatives
Compare picks
How Stripe Reader S700 or Tap to Pay on iPhone stacks up
Related on our sister sites
Need finance for your B&Bs and Airbnb hosts business?
Card flow is the security on which most B&Bs and Airbnb hosts businesses borrow. See our sister site BestBusinessLoans by sector for editorial reviews of UK lenders that fund B&Bs and Airbnb hosts.
Founder & Managing Director, Muswell Rose, founder and PSC of Best Business Loans Ltd
Adam is the founder and managing director of Muswell Rose and a founder of Best Business Loans Ltd, the company behind MerchantHQ. His career runs through insurance, mortgages, commercial finance and fintech lending, including payments and merchant services. He writes the MerchantHQ library.
Last reviewed: 26 April 2026