diff --git a/models.py b/models.py
index d2c2b81..78b7e27 100644
--- a/models.py
+++ b/models.py
@@ -206,3 +206,14 @@ class AvailabilityResult(BaseModel):
     quote_sat: int | None = None
     quote_fiat: float | None = None
     currency: str | None = None
+
+
+class BookingQuote(BaseModel):
+    """Response to a booking request: the held booking plus the bolt11 the
+    guest must pay to confirm it. payment_request covers deposit_sat (the
+    canonical amount already stored on the booking) — the guest never re-
+    computes what they owe."""
+
+    booking: Booking
+    payment_request: str
+    payment_hash: str
diff --git a/views_api.py b/views_api.py
index fb6ccda..20ec9a1 100644
--- a/views_api.py
+++ b/views_api.py
@@ -14,14 +14,18 @@ from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
 
 from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException
 from lnbits.core.models import WalletTypeInfo
+from lnbits.core.services import create_invoice
 from lnbits.decorators import require_admin_key, require_invoice_key
+from lnbits.exceptions import InvoiceError
 from lnbits.helpers import urlsafe_short_hash
+from lnbits.utils.exchange_rates import fiat_amount_as_satoshis
 
 from . import crud
 from .models import (
     AvailabilityQuery,
     AvailabilityResult,
     Booking,
+    BookingQuote,
     BookingRequestData,
     BookingStatus,
     CreateBlockData,
@@ -93,10 +97,10 @@ async def api_check_availability(q: AvailabilityQuery) -> AvailabilityResult:
 
 
 @chatelet_api_router.post("/api/v1/bookings", status_code=201)
-async def api_request_booking(data: BookingRequestData) -> Booking:
+async def api_request_booking(data: BookingRequestData) -> BookingQuote:
     """Guest requests a stay. Check-then-hold is the lock: if available we
-    write a `held` booking with the canonical amount_sat and an expiry, then
-    (TODO) create the deposit invoice. The Nostr path calls the same steps."""
+    write a `held` booking with the canonical amount_sat, create the deposit
+    invoice, and return the bolt11. The Nostr path calls the same steps."""
     room = await crud.get_room(data.room_id)
     if not room or room.status != room.status.active:
         raise HTTPException(404, "Room not available")
@@ -136,10 +140,36 @@ async def api_request_booking(data: BookingRequestData) -> Booking:
     )
     await crud.create_booking(booking)
 
-    # TODO(payment): create_invoice(wallet_id=room.wallet, amount=deposit_sat,
-    #   extra={"tag": "chatelet", "booking_id": booking.id}); store payment_hash;
-    #   set status=awaiting_payment; DM the bolt11 to the guest (NIP-17).
-    return booking
+    # Invoice is denominated in sats (deposit_sat is already the canonical
+    # amount locked at quote time) so FX drift between now and payment can't
+    # change what the guest owes. tag+booking_id let tasks.on_invoice_paid
+    # match the settlement back to this booking.
+    try:
+        payment = await create_invoice(
+            wallet_id=room.wallet,
+            amount=booking.deposit_sat,
+            memo=(
+                f"Chatelet · {room.title} · "
+                f"{booking.check_in}→{booking.check_out} ({nights}n)"
+            ),
+            extra={"tag": "chatelet", "booking_id": booking.id},
+        )
+    except InvoiceError as exc:
+        # Free the dates immediately — a hold with no payable invoice is dead.
+        booking.status = BookingStatus.declined
+        await crud.update_booking(booking)
+        raise HTTPException(502, f"Could not create invoice: {exc.message}") from exc
+
+    booking.payment_hash = payment.payment_hash
+    booking.status = BookingStatus.awaiting_payment
+    await crud.update_booking(booking)
+
+    # TODO(#5): DM the bolt11 to the guest over NIP-17 for the Nostr path.
+    return BookingQuote(
+        booking=booking,
+        payment_request=payment.bolt11,
+        payment_hash=payment.payment_hash,
+    )
 
 
 @chatelet_api_router.get("/api/v1/bookings/{booking_id}")
@@ -174,11 +204,7 @@ async def api_create_block(
 async def _to_sats(amount: float, currency: str) -> int:
     """Fiat/currency -> sats. Canonical conversion happens HERE, once, at
     quote/hold time; the result is stored as amount_sat and never recomputed
-    downstream.
-
-    TODO(fx): if currency in ('sat','sats') return int(amount); else call
-    lnbits.utils.exchange_rates.fiat_amount_as_satoshis(amount, currency).
-    """
+    downstream."""
     if currency.lower() in ("sat", "sats"):
         return int(amount)
-    raise NotImplementedError("wire lnbits fiat_amount_as_satoshis")
+    return await fiat_amount_as_satoshis(amount, currency)