Configure host settings for a venue
Host settings control how your staff create and manage reservations for a venue. They are separate from the guest-facing booking options. Each venue is configured independently, so you can tune limits, payment methods, and check-in behavior per location.
Before you start
- You need admin access to Manage > Venues.
- These settings apply to a single venue. Repeat for each venue you operate.
- Some payment options require a connected provider. Connect Stripe or Square in your venue settings first if you plan to use card readers or invoices.
Where it's configured
Open Manage > Venues, click a venue, and open the Host tab. The Host tab shows a set of settings cards — click a card to open its configuration modal, make your changes, and click Save changes. Changes take effect immediately.
The cards appear in this order:
- Admin Reservation Settings
- Calendar Range Settings
- Skip Guest Details
- Payment Options
- Assign Logic
- Timer Alert
- Quick Texts
- Snooze Check In
- Early Check In
Settings reference
Admin Reservation Settings
Set the rules and limits that apply when hosts create reservations.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Duration in Slots for Host | Duration options hosts can pick when booking. Each slot equals your venue's time-slot length. |
| Max number of [resource] | Maximum resources (lanes, bays, tables, etc.) a host can book on one reservation. |
| Max guests per reservation for Host | Guest-count ceiling for host-created reservations. |
| How far in advance can hosts book (in days) | The advance booking window for hosts. |
| Cut off time for Host in minutes | How close to the start time a host can still book. Enter a negative value to allow booking in the past (e.g. -15 allows booking up to 15 minutes ago). |
| Ignore Staff Capacity | When on, host reservations bypass staff capacity limits. |
| Extension Options | Duration increments a host can choose from when extending an active reservation. |
| Allow Host to waive modification fees | When on, hosts can remove modification fees on guest changes. |
| Allow Host to waive price changes | When on, hosts can override automatic price recalculations. |
Calendar Range Settings
Control the time range and granularity shown on the host calendar.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Calendar Start Time | Earliest time slot shown on the calendar. |
| Calendar End Time | Latest time slot shown. Must be later than the start time. |
| Calendar Time Window | Size of each visible time block: 1 hour, 30 minutes, 15 minutes, 10 minutes, or 5 minutes. |
Skip Guest Details
Let hosts create a reservation without filling in guest information.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Enable Skip | Turn on to allow hosts to skip the guest details form. |
| Default Email | Placeholder email used when details are skipped. |
| Default Phone Number | Placeholder phone number. |
| Default First Name | Placeholder first name. |
| Default Last Name | Placeholder last name. |
When Enable Skip is on, the default values are applied automatically so the host can book without entering guest details.
Payment Options
Choose which payment methods hosts can use at checkout.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Manually Enter Card | Let hosts key in a card manually. |
| Mark as Paid | Record a payment taken outside Rex. Add named sources (e.g. Cash Drawer, POS, Other) with Add Source. |
| Gift Card or Promo Code | Allow gift cards or promo codes at checkout. |
| Payment Link | Allow hosts to send a payment link. |
| Skip Payment | Allow hosts to complete a reservation without taking payment. |
| Manager's Comp | Allow a manager to comp the charge. |
| Stripe Card Reader | Use a Stripe Terminal reader. Add readers with Add Reader by entering a Reader Name and Reader ID. |
| Square Card Reader | Use a Square reader. Connect Square in venue settings to enable, then register a device with Create code. |
| Stripe Invoice | Allow hosts to send a Stripe invoice. |
| Square Invoice | Allow hosts to send a Square invoice. |
Assign Logic
Control how resources are assigned and how reservations close out automatically.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Group Resources Side by Side | When on, multi-resource bookings are auto-assigned to consecutive resources where possible. |
| Auto Complete Reservations | Automatically mark a reservation complete once its end time passes. |
| Auto No-Show Reservations | Automatically mark a reservation as no-show after the grace period. |
| No-Show Grace Minutes | Grace period before auto no-show. Shown only when Auto No-Show is on. Options: 0–60 minutes. |
Timer Alert
Remind hosts to check on guests during active reservations.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Enable Timer Alert | Turn the recurring alert on. |
| Timer Alert Interval | How often the alert fires, in minutes (5–60). |
| Alert Message | The message shown to the host (e.g. "Check on your guests"). |
The alert fires at the chosen interval while a reservation is active.
Quick Texts
Set up canned messages hosts can send to guests with one tap.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Button name | The label shown on the host's button (e.g. "Running Late"). |
| Text Copy | The message sent to the guest. |
| Priority | A number that controls the button's display order. |
Use Add Item to create more quick texts. Remove a row with its delete button.
Snooze Check In
Let hosts postpone a check-in reminder for a reservation.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Enable Snooze Check In | Turn snooze on. |
| Snooze Check In Time Options | The snooze durations hosts can pick (5–60 minutes). Shown only when snooze is on. |
Early Check In
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Enable Early Check In | When on, checking a guest in before their scheduled start moves the reservation start time to now. |
What your guests see
Most host settings are internal and invisible to guests. Two have a guest-facing effect:
- Early Check In — when a host checks a guest in early, the reservation start time (and timer) shifts to the current time, so the guest's session begins right away.
- Quick Texts — guests receive the text message a host sends, such as a "running late" or "table ready" notice.
Troubleshooting
Calendar settings won't save
Possible causes
- •Calendar End Time is not after Calendar Start Time.
Fix
Set an end time later than the start time.
Square card reader options are greyed out
Possible causes
- •Square is not connected for the venue.
Fix
Connect Square in venue settings, then reopen Payment Options.
No-Show Grace Minutes field is missing
Possible causes
- •Auto No-Show Reservations is off.
Fix
Turn on Auto No-Show Reservations to reveal the grace-minutes dropdown.
Snooze time options are missing
Possible causes
- •Enable Snooze Check In is off.
Fix
Turn on Enable Snooze Check In to reveal the time options.
Host can't book a past time
Possible causes
- •Cut off time for Host is zero or positive.
Fix
Enter a negative value (e.g. -15) to allow booking in the past.
Snooze is rejected on a reservation
Possible causes
- •The reservation is already checked in.
Fix
Snooze before checking the guest in.
Updated Jun 11, 2026
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