One of the first decisions on SastyBed is whether your hostel runs in Online, Walk-in, or Both mode. The right answer depends on your students, your location, and how you want to run the desk.
Online booking mode
Students browse your listing on the app, request a room, and pay the deposit through JazzCash, EasyPaisa or card. You tap Accept from your phone and the room is locked.
- Best for: popular hostels close to universities, where students often book from out of town before arriving.
- Pros: Deposit is paid before the student arrives, no chasing. Bookings come in 24/7. You can accept from your phone.
- Cons: Some parents want to see the building before committing.
Walk-in mode
Students see your listing but can't book online — instead they see "Visit to enrol" with your address and phone. They come, look around, and you enrol them in 30 seconds on the SastyBed manual enrolment form.
- Best for: hostels where parents traditionally inspect the place before paying.
- Pros: Trust is built face-to-face. No payment-gateway commissions on offline cash.
- Cons: You're tied to the desk during enquiry hours.
Both mode — the best of both worlds
The most popular choice on SastyBed in 2026. Students see both options on your listing: a "Book now" button and a "Visit to enrol" button. The same room can be claimed either way — SastyBed prevents double-booking automatically.
"Girls' hostel walk-in only, boys' lodge in 'Both' mode for admission season. Same dashboard, two different strategies." — Imran Sheikh, Karachi
How to choose
- Do most of your students come from outside the city? → Online or Both.
- Do parents inspect the building before paying? → Walk-in or Both.
- Not sure? Start with Both. You can switch any time from the hostel detail page.
Switching is one click
Open any hostel in your owner panel → Booking mode card → pick the new mode. SastyBed walks you through what changes (and what doesn't — active bookings are always unaffected).