A revolution in guest services: how AI is changing short-term rentals

Do you remember the days when all you had to do was post an ad on a website, answer the phone, and arrange the details with the guest? Well… those days are slowly fading into oblivion. Guests in 2025 expect something more. A quick response, a simple booking method, flexible check-in times, communication in their own language – and preferably, everything should happen automatically and be available 24/7. Sounds like science fiction? At this stage of technological development, it’s already an everyday reality. And it’s all thanks to artificial intelligence, which is quietly entering the world of short-term rentals – and causing quite a revolution.

You don’t have to be a large hotel chain or a tech geek to take advantage of this. All you need is to run an apartment, a lake house, or an agritourism business and… want to make your life easier. Yes, this seemingly selfish approach is also what guests will expect in 2025. AI is not here to replace you. It’s here to help you – to take care of all those repetitive, time-consuming tasks that need to be done anyway. Automatic responses to inquiries? Check. Intelligent price and availability management? Already working. 24/7 guest service – even when you’re on vacation with no cell service? No problem.

Artificial intelligence is changing the way guests plan, book, and experience their stay. And you, as a host, can only benefit from this – more bookings, less stress, better reviews, and more time… for everything that really matters. You just need to take one step: open yourself up to new tools and learn how to use them.

In this article, we’ll show you how AI is really affecting short-term rentals, what solutions you can implement right now without a big investment, and why those who decide to act faster will simply win this season. Because it’s not just about technology. It’s about continuing to be a hospitable host-only smarter.

AI at the service of the owner: what can you implement today?

Let’s start with what can really take the pressure off you. Artificial intelligence is not some cosmic invention that only works in the offices of large corporations. It’s something you can have here and now – even if you run a single apartment in Gdynia or cottages in the Bieszczady Mountains. Learn about a few basic tools that you have probably already encountered in your everyday life.

• Chatbots and autoresponders – you no longer have to get up at 2:00 a.m. to reply to someone asking if you have availability for the May long weekend. A chatbot will do it for you – politely, concisely, and quickly. Even in English.
• Dynamic calendar and price management – AI analyzes data on seasonality, demand, and events in the area and adjusts prices. The result? Instead of setting a single rate for the whole year, you earn more during peak periods and fill gaps during the off-season. Can you trust it? AI analyzes statistics just like you do – so what?
• Recommendation systems – Your guests ask what’s worth seeing in the area? AI can generate personalized recommendations based on preferences – for families, couples, seniors, active people, etc.
• Automated notifications – check-in reminders, messages with lock codes, check-out info? Everything is sent automatically, exactly when it’s needed.

You can have all this without hiring a receptionist and spending hours in front of a monitor. And the benefit? More time for yourself, savings, less stress, and… more bookings.

What will guests expect in 2025? And why AI will help you with that

Guests have changed. Their needs, pace of life, and expectations are completely different today than they were just a few years ago. Once upon a time, a kettle, clean sheets, and a polite “good morning” were enough. Today, instant communication, flexibility, and modern technologies are becoming the standard. If you want to stand out from the competition and simply not fall behind in the future and attract the best guests, AI in tourism and short-term rentals is something you cannot ignore.

1. Instant response = greater chance of booking

In the era of Booking.com and Airbnb, guests don’t wait. They send several inquiries at once and choose the one who responds first. Automating messages with AI enables instant responses – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A chatbot or integrated AI system can respond in seconds, even if you’re out walking your dog or asleep.

SEO benefit: Key phrases such as automatic responses to guests, chatbots in short-term rentals, and fast booking service are often searched for – it’s worth weaving them into your listing description or website.

2. Multilingual service – zero barriers, more bookings

AI easily translates messages in real time. Guests from Germany, France, Spain, or the Czech Republic receive a response in their own language, without your intervention. This is a huge convenience that increases trust and eliminates the risk of misunderstandings.

As a result:

• you don’t need to know 5 languages,
• you are available to a wider group of tourists,
• you offer a higher level of professionalism.

SEO phrases on your website: serving foreign guests, AI in message translation, multilingual communication in the apartment – will certainly boost the attractiveness of your offer.

3. Personalized communication = a well-cared-for guest

Modern AI systems can analyze guest data and tailor communication accordingly. An example? A family with children will receive a message in advance about attractions for the little ones. A couple on a romantic weekend will receive recommendations for local restaurants and ideas for an evening stroll.

Such personalization results in:

• higher ratings after their stay,
• a greater chance of recommendations,
• positive reviews on the internet.

SEO tip: use phrases such as ” individual approach to guests,” ” automatic messages for different types of guests,” and ” personalized apartment service” on your website.

4. Self check-in and check-out – convenience and security

More and more people value independence. Thanks to AI, you can automate the check-in and check-out process: send access codes, reminders, and instructions-all without physical contact.

This is the perfect solution for:

• guests traveling late at night,
• people who value privacy,
• owners who do not live on site.

Can AI increase the number of bookings? Definitely yes.

This is not an empty promise. It’s numbers. Because well-implemented automation and intelligent property management really do increase the chances of a booking.

• Dynamic pricing = more money – AI sets prices in real time. It raises them when demand increases and lowers them when you need to attract guests. You don’t have to do anything.
• Availability management – no more calendar errors that cost you bookings. The system monitors availability across all channels: Airbnb, Booking, your own website.
• Better reviews = more guests – faster and more efficient service means satisfied guests. And satisfied guests leave good reviews. And good reviews attract more guests.
• Advertising and remarketing – some AI systems analyze data and help you create advertising campaigns that target people who are already interested in your offer.

In short: AI can help you attract guests better, faster, and more effectively than manual operations. It’s like a turbo engine for your business.

What about hospitality? Won’t AI take away the “human” dimension?

This is one of the most common questions that hosts ask themselves: “But won’t AI take away my contact with guests?” It’s a valid question – after all, for many of us, it was this factor that led us to choose this type of business as our profession. But look at it from a different perspective: artificial intelligence does not take away your relationship with your guests. It… lightens the load, creating space for a completely different way of building relationships with guests.

Instead of wasting time rewriting dates, sending the same responses for the hundredth time, or explaining that “yes, towels are included,” you can focus on what really makes a difference – giving the guest genuine, human support and a moment of conversation. Instead of bureaucracy and repetitive messages, you have time to recommend the best café in the area, tell them about a little-known trail in the forest, or invite them to a bonfire with a view of the sunset. So the guest gets both speed and quality – and you are still the face of the place.

Thanks to AI, communication becomes more professional, but not cold. You set the tone of the message, the style of response, and the moments of contact. It’s a tool that works in the background, not replacing your presence. What’s more, if you run a remote rental business – i.e., you don’t live on site or manage several locations – artificial intelligence allows you to maintain a high standard of service regardless of distance. Every guest will receive information on time, and you don’t have to be on the phone 24/7.

It’s worth remembering that hospitality is not just a smile at the door. It’s also the feeling that everything is working as it should: that the guest doesn’t have to ask for the Wi-Fi password, that messages are clear and timely, and that check-in is stress-free. And that’s exactly what AI can provide perfectly – comfort and order.

Artificial intelligence does not dehumanize relationships – it allows you to be closer to your guests where it really matters.

Where to start? Small steps that make a big difference

You don’t have to implement everything at once. One step is enough – you’ll see the difference, and then it will only get easier.

• Choose one problem that bothers you – e.g., not having enough time to answer questions. And find a tool that will take the burden off you.
• Try a simple chatbot or autoresponder – many of them have trial or free versions. See how they work.
• Automate welcome and status messages – set up templates in your booking system or channel manager. Guests will be delighted that everything works just like in a hotel.
• Save guest questions – and use them to create an FAQ section or knowledge base that AI can handle.

This is not an overnight revolution. It is more of an evolution – step by step, with real relief for you and a better experience for the guest.