Getting started
Welcome to Stillwater. This guide takes you from installing the theme to publishing your rooms and testing your booking links.
Start here, then follow Demo import if you would like sample pages to work from. You can read this guide offline by opening index.html. Internet access is needed only for links to outside resources.
On this page
Before you begin
- A WordPress site running WordPress 6.7 or later.
- A server running PHP 7.4 or later. The product supports PHP 7.4 through 8.5 and is tested up to WordPress 7.1.
- An administrator account so you can install themes and plugins.
- A current backup if your site already contains content.
Ask your hosting company to confirm your WordPress and PHP versions if you are unsure. Stillwater is a block theme: you edit it with the WordPress Site Editor. A separate page builder is not needed.
What is in your download
| File or folder | What it is for |
|---|---|
stillwater.zip | The parent theme. Install this first. |
stillwater-child.zip | The optional child theme for file customisations. |
plugins/haldane-toolkit.zip | The companion plugin for rooms, booking links, enquiries, hotel details, maps and demo import. |
documentation/ | This guide. Open its index.html. |
licensing/ | Code and font licence texts and third-party credits. |
Unzip the main download on your computer first. Upload the individual theme or plugin ZIP, rather than the complete product download. The separate Stillwater HTML template is a different product and is not installed in WordPress.
Install the theme
- Sign in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Open Appearance → Themes → Add New Theme → Upload Theme.
- Choose
stillwater.zipand select Install Now. - Select Activate.
- Open your site in another browser tab to check it loads.
If WordPress says the stylesheet is missing, you probably uploaded the main download. Choose the smaller stillwater.zip inside it. If your host rejects the upload size, ask it to raise the upload limit.
Install the optional child theme
- Leave the Stillwater parent theme installed.
- Return to Appearance → Themes → Add New Theme → Upload Theme.
- Upload
stillwater-child.zip, install it and activate Stillwater Child.
Use the child theme if you plan to add CSS or change template files. Normal page editing and Site Editor changes do not require it. Choose your active theme before customising: WordPress saves Site Editor changes against that theme. See Customising with the child theme.
Install Haldane Toolkit and recommended plugins
- After activating Stillwater, find the recommended plugin notice in the dashboard.
- Select Begin installing plugins. You can also open Appearance → Install Plugins.
- Select Haldane Toolkit, choose Install from Bulk Actions and apply it.
- Return to the plugin list, select the installed plugin and choose Activate.
The notice also offers Hotel Booking Lite by MotoPress. Install it only if you want WordPress to manage accommodation availability and reservations. Read the MotoPress guide before choosing your booking setup. No paid plugin is included.
If the notice is dismissed or the bundled installer is unavailable, open Plugins → Add New Plugin → Upload Plugin, choose plugins/haldane-toolkit.zip, install and activate it. For MotoPress Lite, search the WordPress plugin directory from Add New Plugin.
The theme works without plugins. Without Haldane Toolkit, change every #book button to a booking page URL. Toolkit features need JavaScript in the guest's browser.
Your first checks
- Import sample pages or create your own with patterns.
- Set your logo, navigation and colours in Appearance → Editor.
- Replace fictional contact details, placeholder images, sample reviews, prices and social links.
- Complete the Stillwater settings, test a booking link and send a test enquiry.
