Any of the pre-packaged web-based reservation systems will be pretty expensive for such a small property. To start, the software itself will be about a grand then they want to hit you seperately for all the modules that you need to actually do business. Like handling credit cards, formatting info to excel or quicken for accounting, blocking rooms, user created report forms etc. Plan on spending $250 to $500 for each module. Then there is setup fees $250 to $500. Then there is training $250 to $500 per person. Then there is monthly fees on top of that for web maintenance.
The cost for implementing all this will be anywheres from $4000 to $10,000.
Another option would be for the family member who will be doing the books to update your own website which is much cheaper. However, the obvious drawbacks to this approach are lack of immediate updates on the website and it would be a full time job for one of the family. Also, at least one other person would have to be trained on the process for emergencies/vacation etc.
All of the pre-made packages are proprietary and difficult or impossible to alter for the way you wish to do business. The result is that you end up running the business to keep the software happy. The advantage of course is not having to know much about the software or how to manage a website.
