Challenge
Staycity is a rapidly expanding aparthotel group operating two distinct brands, Staycity and Wilde. Ambitious growth plans revealed the limitations of an off-the-shelf website and booking system. The platform lacked flexibility, constrained customer experience, and increased dependence on online travel agents. Staycity required a customised, scalable digital platform to increase direct bookings, improve conversion rates, and build long-term customer loyalty.
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Solution
Equator partnered with Staycity to design and deliver a fully bespoke digital platform, including the website, booking engine, online check-in, and paid media integration.
The programme emphasised ownership, flexibility, and performance.
- Delivered collaborative strategy and technical workshops to define user needs and booking flows
- Designed a scalable technical architecture integrated with core third-party systems
- Built a bespoke booking engine tailored to aparthotel complexity
- Enabled flexible room configurations, pricing, and real-time availability
- Introduced upsell journeys for breakfast, parking, late checkout, and extras
- Implemented secure payments through PXP
- Integrated Opera API for property management and live rates
- Enabled Google Hotel Ads to drive high-intent traffic
- Delivered member login and account functionality to support loyalty
- Split delivery into two focused workstreams, brochureware and booking engine
Results
Increased direct bookings for both Staycity and Wilde brands
Enhanced booking conversion rates compared to the legacy platform
Reduced reliance on online travel agents
Significant rise in revenue from direct digital sales
Better returns from Google Hotel Ads through in-house optimisation
Greater customer loyalty driven by member pricing and online check-in
Outcome
Staycity now operates a customised, scalable digital platform that supports rapid expansion across locations and brands.
By taking ownership of its booking process, Staycity improved conversion rates, strengthened customer relationships, and developed a sustainable direct revenue model that reduces dependence on OTAs and promotes long-term digital growth.