How the price is built on Booking.com and Airbnb (and who pays the commission)
OTA commission ranges from 18% to 30% depending on the channel, visibility programs (Booking Genius / Preferred) and the Airbnb cut. In practice, the guest pays this commission: it is either built into the displayed price or added as a service fee at checkout.
On Booking.com, commission is not shown separately - it is built into the price you see. On Airbnb, there is a service fee visible at the payment step, on top of the nightly rate.
On the Serene Studio direct booking page, the displayed price is the net studio price - no OTA layer. The rest of the flow (city tax, any mandatory local fees) is identical to any other channel.
Direct vs Booking.com vs Airbnb
Plain comparison, no jargon. Click Book online to see the exact price for your dates.
| Aspect | Direct (this site) | Booking.com | Airbnb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displayed price | Net studio price, no OTA layer | Includes OTA commission (18-30%) paid by the guest | Nightly rate + visible service fee at checkout |
| Card processor | Stripe (PCI-DSS), via Beds24 | Booking.com / partners | Airbnb |
| Card data visible to host | No - only the last 4 digits | No - only the last 4 digits | No - only the last 4 digits |
| GDPR compliance | Beds24 is GDPR-compliant; so is Stripe | Yes | Yes |
| Confirmation | Instant email with booking details | Booking.com email | Airbnb email |
| Check-in | Self check-in with key-box code at the gate, after online check-in | Identical | Identical |
| Communication | Direct with the host (email contact@serenestudio.ro) | Through the platform's message inbox | Through Airbnb chat |
| Cancellation | Strict for this unit - paid amounts are non-refundable | Strict - identical, set in Beds24 | Strict - identical, set in Beds24 |
| Guest support | Direct from the host for stay questions | Booking.com 24/7 for the payment flow | Airbnb for the payment flow |
The accommodation costs 199.99 RON/night for the entire studio. Bookings are made online through our secure page.
Book onlinePayment and card-data security
Direct payment on the secure Beds24 page is processed by Stripe, one of the largest global online payment processors (PCI-DSS Level 1).
Neither Serene Studio nor Beds24 has access to your card number. In the booking interface we only see the last 4 digits, enough to identify the transaction.
Beds24 is GDPR-compliant: their policy is public on their site and applies to every property using the platform, including bookings that come in via Booking.com or Airbnb. Stripe meets PCI-DSS Level 1, the highest standard for card processors.
In practice: if you trust paying by card on Booking.com or Airbnb for this unit, you have the same security paying direct - your card is processed by Stripe in both cases.
Cancellation: strict on every channel
The cancellation policy is set by the property and applies identically wherever you book. For Serene Studio, the policy is strict - paid amounts are not refunded on cancellation.
Cancellation is not an argument for one route over the other: it is set once in Beds24 and propagates automatically to Booking.com and Airbnb, so every channel shows the same policy.
If your dates are firm, this does not affect you. If you want flexibility, check whether a travel insurance covers cancellations - it is independent of the booking channel.
Self check-in and support: identical, but the path is shorter
Wherever you book, you receive the same online check-in link and the same code for the key box at the gate. The difference is in the follow-up communication.
- After booking you receive the online check-in link by email (ID verification, selfie, city tax, rules signature)
- Once online check-in is finalized, the guidebook opens, containing the key-box code and the emergency phone number
- The emergency phone is not sent separately - it is in the guidebook, available any time through the same link used at check-in
- For written questions, contact the host directly at contact@serenestudio.ro, without going through the platform's inbox
- OTA support (Booking.com 24/7, Airbnb support) covers the payment flow and financial disputes; for studio-specific questions the host responds faster on the direct channel
Step by step - the direct booking flow
The flow is identical to any OTA - with fewer clicks and no third-party user account.
Looking for the booking page?
This article explains the differences. To see the exact price and availability for your dates, go to the booking page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does one night cost at Serene Studio?
Accommodation at Serene Studio Bucharest costs 199.99 RON/night for the entire private studio of about 35 m² (up to 2 adults; children are allowed and sleep with parents in the same double bed). The rate includes fast Wi-Fi, private terrace, equipped kitchenette, free street parking and self check-in. Check availability for your dates by clicking Book online.
How much cheaper is direct than Booking.com or Airbnb?
The difference reflects the OTA commission (18-30% depending on the channel) and the Airbnb service fee. The exact comparison shows up when you click Book online for your dates and compare it with the OTA price.
Who processes the payment on the direct booking page?
Stripe processes card payment, via Beds24. Stripe meets PCI-DSS Level 1, the highest standard for card processors.
Is Beds24 GDPR-compliant?
Yes. Beds24 is GDPR-compliant and their data policy applies to every property in the platform, including bookings coming through Booking.com or Airbnb.
Does the host see my card number?
No. Neither Serene Studio nor Beds24 has access to the card number. We only see the last 4 digits, for transaction identification.
What is the cancellation policy for a direct booking?
The policy is strict - paid amounts are non-refundable on cancellation. The same policy applies on Booking.com or Airbnb for this unit (it is set once in Beds24 and propagates to every channel).
How do I receive the emergency phone number?
The emergency phone is in the guidebook, not sent separately. The guidebook opens through the same link used for online check-in and stays available any time during your stay. The phone also appears during the online check-in step.
Can I book by phone?
We do not take bookings by phone. Availability and price are checked online, via the Book online button. The phone is for emergencies only; all stay information is in the guidebook.
Do I lose anything by not booking through Booking.com or Airbnb?
You lose OTA loyalty points if you collect them. Otherwise you get the same unit, the same self check-in, the same guidebook and the same level of support - directly from the host instead of through a platform.
How do I know it's the same property as on Booking.com?
The address is Strada Alexandru Zagoritz 12, Sector 2, Bucharest. Same photos, same double bed, same terrace and same key-box code - regardless of where you book.
How do I contact the host before booking?
For pre-booking questions, write to contact@serenestudio.ro. The phone (+40 733 737 363) is for emergencies after booking only.
199.99 RON/night · check availability for your dates and complete the booking online.
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