How to Claim Your Hotel on Google Business Profile (2026 Guide)

Your hotel's Google Business Profile is often the first thing travelers see. Here's how to claim it, optimize it, and use it to drive direct bookings.

Why Your Google Business Profile Matters

• 67% of travelers read reviews before booking
• Google is the #1 search engine for travel research
• Your profile appears in Google Search AND Google Maps
• Free marketing that runs 24/7

[!NOTE] Hotels with complete Google profiles get 7x more clicks than incomplete ones.

Step 1: Check If Your Hotel Already Has a Listing

Before creating anything new, search for your hotel:

1. Go to google.com/maps
2. Search for "[Your Hotel Name] [City]"
3. If you see your hotel, check if it says "Claim this business" or "Own this business?"

Already claimed by someone else? This happens if a previous owner or OTA set it up. You'll need to request ownership transfer.

Step 2: Create or Claim Your Listing

If your hotel doesn't exist on Google:

1. Go to business.google.com
2. Click "Manage now"
3. Enter your hotel name
4. Select "Hotel" as your business category
5. Add your address
6. Add phone number and website
7. Choose verification method

If your hotel exists but isn't claimed:

1. Click "Claim this business" on the listing
2. Choose "I'm authorized to manage this business"
3. Follow verification steps

Step 3: Verify Your Business

Google needs to confirm you actually own/manage this hotel. Options include:

• Postcard by mail (most common) - Takes 5-14 days
• Phone verification - Instant, if available
• Email verification - Instant, if available
• Video verification - Record a video of your hotel

[!TIP] While waiting for verification, you can still edit your profile - changes just won't go live until verified.

Step 4: Complete Your Profile (Don't Skip This!)

A complete profile ranks higher and converts better. Fill in everything:

Basic Information

• ✅ Accurate hotel name (match your signage exactly)
• ✅ Address (pin location precisely on map)
• ✅ Phone number (one that's always answered)
• ✅ Website URL (your direct booking page, not an OTA)
• ✅ Hours (check-in/check-out times)

Categories

• Primary: "Hotel"
• Additional: "Resort hotel", "Boutique hotel", "Beach hotel" etc.

Attributes

Check all that apply:

• Pool, Spa, Restaurant, Bar
• Free WiFi, Parking, Airport shuttle
• Pet-friendly, Wheelchair accessible
• Air conditioning, Room service

Photos (Critical!)

Upload at least 10 high-quality photos:

• Exterior (2-3 angles)
• Lobby/reception
• Room types (standard, deluxe, suite)
• Bathroom
• Restaurant/breakfast area
• Pool/amenities
• Views

[!NOTE] Listings with photos get 42% more direction requests and 35% more website clicks.

Description

Write a compelling 750-character description:

• Lead with your unique selling point
• Mention location highlights
• Include amenities
• Add a call-to-action

Example: "Welcome to [Hotel Name], your home away from home in the heart of [City]. Just steps from [Landmark], our boutique hotel offers [X] beautifully appointed rooms with stunning [view] views. Enjoy our rooftop pool, award-winning restaurant, and personalized service. Book direct for the best rates and exclusive perks."

Step 5: Set Up Messaging and Booking

Enable Messages

Let travelers contact you directly:

1. Go to "Messages" in your dashboard
2. Turn on messaging
3. Set up quick replies for common questions

Add Booking Links

Connect your booking engine:

1. Go to "Bookings" section
2. Add your direct booking URL
3. This adds a "Book" button to your listing

Step 6: Get and Respond to Reviews

This is where HoteliaOS comes in. Reviews are critical:

• Ask happy guests to leave a review
• Respond to EVERY review (positive and negative)
• Respond within 24-48 hours
• Be professional, personal, and constructive

[!TIP] Responding to reviews taking too long? HoteliaOS generates professional responses in seconds. Try it free →

How to Get Your Google Review Link

1. Go to your Business Profile
2. Click "Share review form" or "Get more reviews"
3. Copy the short link
4. Share with guests via email or WhatsApp

Step 7: Monitor and Maintain

Your work isn't done after setup:

• Weekly: Check for new reviews, respond promptly
• Monthly: Update photos, check accuracy of info
• Quarterly: Review insights/analytics
• As needed: Update hours for holidays, add seasonal promotions

Google Business Profile Insights

Check your dashboard for:

• How many people viewed your listing
• How they found you (search vs maps)
• What actions they took (calls, website, directions)
• Photo views compared to competitors

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Using an OTA URL as your website (use YOUR direct booking page) ❌ Inconsistent name/address across platforms ❌ Not responding to reviews ❌ Low-quality or outdated photos ❌ Missing attributes and amenities ❌ Ignoring the Q&A section

Troubleshooting

"My hotel shows the wrong information"

Edit it in your dashboard. Changes may take a few days to appear.

"Someone else claimed my hotel"

Request ownership transfer through Google. You'll need to prove you're authorized.

"My listing was suspended"

Usually due to guideline violations. Check your email from Google and appeal if needed.

"I have duplicate listings"

Request to merge them through Google support.

What's Next?

Now that your Google Business Profile is set up:

1. Claim your TripAdvisor listing - Read our guide →
2. Set up a review collection system - Ask guests consistently
3. Automate review responses - Save hours every week

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Ready to Master Your Reviews?

HoteliaOS helps hotels like yours:

• ✅ Respond to Google reviews in seconds with AI
• ✅ Track sentiment trends across all platforms
• ✅ Collect guest emails to build direct relationships

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Last updated: January 2026