My name is Brandon Keller, and I’ve worked in the travel industry for over fifteen years. I recently decided to transition from working as a tour coordinator to starting my own bed and breakfast business in Colorado. As someone with zero experience in coding or technical infrastructure, the idea of launching a proper booking system online felt overwhelming. I knew that just having a presence on travel aggregator websites wasn’t enough. I needed a platform that would allow customers to book directly, manage availability, and showcase our rooms — all in one place. That’s when I stumbled upon joomlahbs.com, and let me tell you, it changed the entire trajectory of my business.

I started by installing Joomla as the content management base. It was my first time using Joomla, but the documentation was clear, and I appreciated how well-organized everything was. Once Joomla was running, I installed the HBS 2.5 system, and to my surprise, it integrated smoothly. There were no technical hiccups, and the setup was straightforward enough that I didn’t need to hire any outside help. I began exploring its features, and I realized just how much control I now had over every detail of my site. From the super admin dashboard, I could add new room types, set seasonal prices, create custom discounts, and even allow users to leave reviews.

One of the components I use daily is the Room Availability and Closeout manager. Being in a mountain region, we sometimes have to close rooms because of heavy snow or maintenance — and this feature makes it simple to block out dates without affecting the rest of the calendar. Another feature that stands out is the Booking Cart module, which lets guests select multiple rooms and dates before checkout. It’s a user-friendly process that mirrors what people are already used to from e-commerce platforms, making it feel intuitive and modern. And the visual icons used to describe room facilities? A small touch, but one that significantly improved how our offerings are perceived.

The country, state, and city management options allowed me to list not only my property but partner properties I’ve connected with through my travel network. This has created a small ecosystem of listings under one platform, which I never imagined possible without hiring a development firm. Now, when guests visit my website, they see multiple listings, rich descriptions, user comments, availability in real-time, and seamless booking — all under one roof. I’ve even enabled the guest comment feature, which helps build trust and transparency. Honest feedback from guests boosts the credibility of each property and has had a real impact on conversions.

One thing I didn’t expect was how Joomla HBS helped me understand the structure of Website Development better. The way the components are laid out, the flexibility in customization, and the separation between design and functionality have taught me how a professional booking system is structured. I’ve learned to tweak CSS, modify language files, and adjust layouts without breaking anything. It’s opened up a whole new world for me. I’m no developer, but I now feel capable of running and managing a serious online platform on my own — something I wouldn’t have believed a year ago.

Also, I can’t ignore the impact on customer satisfaction. Before implementing this system, bookings were done via email or phone. Guests would have to wait for confirmation, and mistakes in scheduling happened more than I care to admit. Since launching the Joomla HBS-powered site, everything is automatic. Guests choose their dates, apply promo codes, read real-time room descriptions, and receive instant confirmations. We’ve seen a drop in errors, a boost in positive feedback, and an increase in direct bookings — which means we pay fewer commissions to third-party platforms.

To anyone running a hotel, guesthouse, or vacation rental who’s feeling stuck with outdated tools or third-party dependence, I can’t recommend JoomlaHBS.com enough. It’s a complete suite tailored for the real needs of the hospitality world. You don’t have to be a tech expert. You don’t need a massive budget. You just need a clear vision of what you want your website to do — and Joomla HBS will give you the tools to make it happen. It's been the smartest investment I’ve made since starting my business.