How Farm Stays Actually Get Paid
How Farm Stays Actually Get Paid
Business Tips
If you run a farm stay, vineyard guesthouse, or countryside retreat, you already know payments don’t always fit the way your business works. Guests find you on Instagram, travel blogs, or by word of mouth. Some want to pay a deposit, others promise to pay on arrival, and many show up with cash in a different currency. Farm stays combine accommodation, experiences, and hospitality — sometimes all managed by one person. You might be running cooking classes, farm tours, or tastings alongside overnight stays, often in rural areas with patchy internet. Keeping track of who has paid (and how) can be a full-time job on its own.
The practical fixes
A few small systems can make getting paid simpler and more reliable — even out in the countryside.
1. Accept payments from both domestic and international guests
Farm stays attract a mix of local families and overseas travellers. Guests expect to pay in their own currency, while you need to be paid locally. With Tab, guests can pay by card in their own currency, and you receive payouts in yours. Exchange rates are shown clearly, and funds arrive directly in your local account — no currency confusion or cash counting.
2. Take deposits in advance to secure bookings
Your rooms and experiences are limited, and cancellations can mean lost revenue. Taking deposits early — even small ones — helps you plan confidently. You can send a Tab payment link by WhatsApp or email, and guests can pay instantly by card or local method. Deposits show up in your dashboard automatically, so you always know who’s confirmed.
3. Add online payments to your website
If you already have a website, let guests book and pay directly from there. Tab’s Checkout Flow lets you list your rooms, packages, or experiences (like tastings or tours) with start times and pricing. Guests can choose what they want, pay online, and you get notified as soon as they confirm. It’s simple for them and keeps everything in one place for you.
4. Keep payments running when the internet drops
Many farm stays are far from reliable Wi-Fi or mobile signal. With Tab’s app, you can still take card payments offline - for example, when guests check out or decide to add an extra night. Everything syncs automatically once you’re back online, so you never lose track of a payment.
5. Handle extras without the paperwork
Guests often add meals, workshops, or tours during their stay. Instead of writing totals by hand or asking for cash, you can send a quick payment link for the add-on. It’s faster for guests, cleaner for your records, and saves you from reconciling cash later.
When it all works
When your payments are organised, your whole business runs smoother. Guests can book online, pay in advance, and arrive ready to relax. You can take payments even when the internet drops, and your staff (or family) can easily see who’s paid and for what.
A simple setup looks like this:
Checkout Flow on your website for online bookings and payments
Payment links for deposits and add-ons
Tab’s app for offline card payments in rural or remote areas
With that setup, payments stop being a daily problem — and just become part of the routine.
Why this matters
Most farm stays are small, family-run businesses. You don’t have a reservations team or a finance department — just a few people doing everything from tending the fields to welcoming guests. Reliable payments mean less time on admin and more time on the experience that guests actually come for.
Payments should work wherever you do — even at the edge of a field.
