The most reliable approach is to connect online booking directly to a payment processor so customers pay at the time of reservation and no one needs to be present to collect. When payment is tied to the booking itself, you also eliminate the awkward "pay when you arrive" gap that leads to no-shows and unpaid time.

The right platform should let someone search "I want 2 hours on Saturday afternoon" and the platform simply shows them what's available and auto-assigns a specific bay behind the scenes. The customer just picks a time and the venue manages the inventory.

The door and bay access can be tied directly to a confirmed, paid booking. A customer will receive an unlock code or digital key that's only valid for their reserved window with no key handoffs or need for a front desk. This is the foundation of a self-serve simulator business.

Yes, and this should be built into your booking platform from the start. A "book multiple bays" option should exist as its own bookable space that automatically blocks both individual bays when reserved.

The most predictable model for both you and your customers is a straightforward hourly rate with clearly defined peak and off-peak windows (e.g., weekday afternoons vs. Friday evenings). Avoid pricing structures that require complex calculations at checkout. The simpler the rate, the less friction at booking.