What is an iCal?
An iCal is a link that lets your booking calendars talk to each other. When you list the same property on more than one site (like Airbnb, Booking.com, or Stay Luxe), the iCal link keeps them in sync. If a guest books a date on one site, that date is blocked on the others too. This stops double bookings.
Why hosts use iCal
Most hosts advertise the same property in a few places to get more bookings. The danger is that two guests book the same nights on two different sites. iCal fixes this: a booking on one site automatically blocks those dates everywhere else, so you do not have to update each calendar by hand.
How it works
Each site gives your calendar a special web link. You share that link with your other calendars, and they share theirs with you. From then on, the calendars check each other and copy across any booked dates. You set it up once, and it keeps working in the background.
Two-way sync in Stay Luxe
Stay Luxe works both ways. You can export your Stay Luxe calendar to other sites, and you can import the calendars from other sites into Stay Luxe. So no matter where a booking comes from, all your calendars stay in sync:
Export from Stay Luxe: copy your Stay Luxe iCal link and paste it into Airbnb, Booking.com, or any other site. Now those sites block the dates you have booked in Stay Luxe. (how to export ical)
Import into Stay Luxe: copy the iCal link from another site and paste it into Stay Luxe. Now Stay Luxe blocks the dates booked on that site. (how to import ical)
Do this for each site you use, and every calendar keeps the others up to date.
Good to know
iCal is not instant. Sites check each other every few minutes to a few hours, so there can be a short delay before a booking shows up everywhere. iCal also only shares booked and free dates. It does not share prices, guest details, or messages.
Frequently asked questions
Is iCal the same as Apple Calendar?
No. Apple once had an app called iCal, but here iCal just means the link used to share booked dates between booking sites.
Will iCal stop all double bookings?
It stops nearly all of them. Because sync happens every few minutes to a few hours, there is a small chance two guests book the same dates within that gap.
Does iCal share my prices?
No. iCal only shares booked and free dates. Prices, guest details, and messages are not included.
Can Stay Luxe both send and receive calendars?
Yes. You can export your Stay Luxe calendar to other sites and import other sites’ calendars into Stay Luxe, so sync works in both directions.
How do I find my iCal link?
Each site shows its iCal link in the calendar or sync settings of your listing. Copy that link and paste it into the other calendars you want to keep in sync.