cresta31/LODGE_SETUP.md

Cresta 31 lodge booking website

Built on the supplied Laravel 13 / Livewire starter project. Includes the 11 supplied lodge images, public gallery, date search, pricing, guest request form, conflict checking, booking references and a restricted admin booking list.

Installation

1. Configure PHP 8.3+ and Composer, Node.js, and a MySQL or PostgreSQL database.
2. Run composer install (the original project depends on a private MPBA Git repository; access is required).
3. Copy .env.example to .env; set APP_URL, APP_KEY (with php artisan key:generate) and DB_* values.
4. Set LODGE_NIGHTLY_RATE_PENCE=17500, LODGE_MAX_GUESTS=6, and LODGE_ADMIN_EMAIL=your-admin-email@example.com in .env.
5. Run php artisan migrate, npm ci, npm run build.
6. Create a Laravel user with the same email as LODGE_ADMIN_EMAIL via your normal registration process, then sign in and visit /admin/bookings.
7. Serve Laravel's public/ directory with your web server.

Important before taking real bookings

• The £175 nightly rate and 6-guest capacity are placeholders. Set actual rates and capacity.
• This build accepts booking requests and blocks overlapping pending/confirmed stays; owners confirm them manually. It does not process payments, send booking emails, or integrate an external calendar. Do not advertise online payment or automatic confirmation.
• Booking status pages are accessible to anyone with the long random reference; avoid sharing references publicly.
• For production, configure backups, mail notifications, cancellation policy, terms, privacy information, accurate property description, and availability blocks for owner stays.
• Review photographs and add verified property details (address, facilities, check-in/out times, policies).
• The starter archive included an .env file, which was intentionally excluded to avoid distributing secrets.