Card machine for your B&B and guesthouse

Take card payments at check-in or checkout - professional, reliable, and with competitive rates for accommodation payments.

Common challenges

  • Chasing bank transfers for booking deposits
  • Guests expect to pay by card on arrival
  • Higher-value transactions mean fees matter
  • Seasonal occupancy means paying year-round for a seasonal business
  • Want a professional payment experience for guests

Recommended solutions

SumUp

Solo

Compact, buy-outright card reader with Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity. No monthly fees, no contract — just a one-off hardware cost and a simple flat transaction rate. Ideal for low-volume merchants, micros and seasonal trading.

  • Touchscreen display
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Contactless
  • No monthly fees
  • No contract
  • Buy outright — yours to keep
Hardware
£79
Monthly
£0
Debit
1.69% +
Credit
1.69% +
Commercial
1.69% +
International
1.69% +
Per transaction
0p
Contract
No contract

Shift4

Pax A800

Portable/countertop Android 10 terminal with 5.7-inch touchscreen and Payment & POS functionality. Built-in thermal printer along with Wi-Fi & 4g connectivity. Latest model from Pax includes on-screen merchant branding, intuitive over-the-phone payment flow, on-board POS features, as well as being configurable for full Shift4 POS integration (Dine & Delivery)

  • 5.7-inch HD touchscreen
  • Built-in printer
  • Wi-Fi & 4G
  • Contactless, chip & PIN, over-the-phone
  • Queue-Busting Fast Transacting
  • Only integrated with Shift4 POS
  • Latest Android POS & Payments
Hardware
£0
Monthly
Free for 1st machine
Debit
< 1.25% blended
Credit
< 1.25% blended
Commercial
< 1.25% blended
International
< 1.25% blended
Per transaction
0p
Contract
negotiable

Why B&Bs choose uno

Guests expect to pay by card - whether it’s a deposit at booking, full payment on arrival, or extras at checkout. A card machine makes the whole process smooth and professional.

Professional check-in experience

Taking card payment on a proper terminal looks professional and builds guest confidence. No awkward “can you transfer the balance?” conversations.

Deposits secured

Take a deposit on card when a guest books. It secures the reservation and reduces no-shows without the hassle of chasing bank transfers.

Seasonal flexibility

Many B&Bs and guesthouses have a quiet season. We offer terminal options with flexible terms so you’re not paying full fees through the off-peak months.

What you get from uno

  • A terminal suited to accommodation payment patterns
  • Competitive rates on higher-value bookings
  • Flexible terms for seasonal businesses
  • On-site setup and reliable support

Common questions from b&b and guesthouse owners

I only take a handful of card payments a week - is a card machine worth it for a B&B?

If you're running a small B&B with a few rooms, a buy-outright terminal like the SumUp Solo makes sense - £79 upfront, no monthly fees, no contract. You pay 1.69% only when you take a payment. For a £120 room booking, that's £2.03. If you're processing more regularly, a lower-rate terminal saves money over time. We'll compare the options for your booking volume.

Can guests get a receipt for business expenses when paying by card at my B&B?

Yes. The terminals we supply print a customer receipt automatically. For guests who need an expense receipt - business travellers, contractors, anyone booking through their company - a printed card receipt plus your own booking confirmation covers what they need.

Can I take card payments over the phone for hotel bookings?

Yes. Any terminals we recommend for a hotel would of course support over-the-phone (MOTO) payments, allowing the processing of bookings and deposits without the guest being present. This is standard functionality on both the Pax A800 and Pax A920.

General questions about uno
Which card machine is right for my business?

It really does depend on how your business operates - there's no one 'best solution' for all, as a Fine Dining restaurant in Covent Garden has completely different operational requirements to a Market Trader in Glasgow's bustling Barras, or a Cardiff Arms Park pub. We make the effort to truly understand how your business actually operates - before recommending the best solution from a range of providers, not just one.

How much does a card machine cost?

It varies by provider and model. With some providers, your first card machine comes with no upfront cost, no monthly rental, and no per-transaction fees - so your only cost is the processing rate on each sale you make. Additional terminals - or those from other providers - may well carry rental or per-transaction fees. The exact cost depends on your terminal type, provider, and monthly card turnover. Because uno works across multiple providers, we compare the real-world, overall costs and then find the most competitive deal for your specific situation.

How long will it take for me to receive my takings?

We know for many UK independent buinesses cashflow is a daily struggle. We can offer various options, with settlement times ranging from just a few hours, to the full three days it takes providers to actually receive your customers money. Whatever your working requirements are, we'll find the ideal solution to match those needs.

Do all uno card machines accept contactless payments?

Yes. Every payment terminal we recommend accepts contactless payments, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and standard contactless cards. Contactless is now the default way most customers pay in the UK.

Will I be able to take 'over-the-phone' payments?

For most merchant-types this will be offered as a default payment option, available on-screen along with contactless and Chip'n'Pin. There are a small number of exceptional businesess operational-types where this is not the case - but for most, 'over-the-phone' payments will be offered as standard.

How can we process refunds?

Any terminal uno suggests would allow you to easily identify the original transaction. If still within the same day as the sale, then the transaction could then be 'voided'(aka 'reversed'). Voids/Reverses are typically instantaneous. However, if that trading day's 'banking window' had closed (typically at Midnight) then it would technically be classed as a 'refund' - which would be subject to the bank's standard 3-5 processing timeframe to complete.

Will we need to do complicated PCI compliance like we do with our current provider?

The great news for you is none of the providers uno works with have complicated anything! For those that require PCI of any sort atall, it really is a simple, painless process that just takes a few minutes per year!

Am I locked into a contract?

Not with every provider. Several of the solutions we offer have no long-term contract - you can switch or cancel without penalty. We'll always be upfront about contract terms before suggesting you commit to anything.

How long does it take to get set up?

Most businesses are up and running within a few days. We handle the supply, installation, and configuration so you can focus on serving your customers. We walk you through everything on-site - so you're confident from day one.

Why go through uno instead of going direct to a provider?

Going direct means you only see a single provider's products, at a single provider's prices. Because uno works across multiple providers, we can genuinely compare options and recommend the solution that suits your business - not just the only one we happen to sell! You also get a dedicated point of contact for ongoing support.

Ready to find the right card machine?

We make the effort to your business, understand how you take payments, and recommend the solution that genuinely fits - not the one with the biggest commission.

Call 07395 451520 Get in touch