Managing short-term rentals isn’t always glamorous. Whether you’re an Airbnb host or managing several properties through Guesty, you know the struggle: guest bookings, messages, check-ins, and maintenance can make the job overwhelming. There’s no shortage of ways things can go wrong, and guest communication is often where the biggest mistakes happen. Let’s look at some of the most common 5 big mistakes property managers and airbnb hosts make—and how one simple solution can make everything easier.
1. Not Responding to Guest Messages Fast Enough
When a guest sends a message, they want an answer quickly. Whether it’s asking about parking, how to get inside, or whether an early check-in is possible, slow replies can frustrate them. When guests are left waiting, it creates anxiety, and they might start to feel that you don’t care about their stay. A quick response makes a big difference in making guests feel welcome.
Yet, when property managers are managing multiple properties or listings across different platforms, staying on top of every single message can feel like a full-time job on its own. Guests reach out at all times of the day, and it’s not easy to keep up. Ignoring messages or responding late isn’t an option, as it impacts reviews and your rental’s ranking on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. Thats one of the first 5 mistakes property managers and airbnb hosts make.
2. Property managers and Airbnb hosts handling the Same Repetitive Questions Over and Over
Every host knows this drill. “Is there parking?” “What’s the WiFi password?” “When can we check in?” No matter how clearly you write these details in your listing, guests will still ask. It’s just part of the business. But if you’re spending your time answering the same few questions repeatedly, it can be exhausting—especially if you manage multiple properties via bookings or airbnb.
This kind of repetitive task can wear you down. It takes away from the time you could use to enhance your property, focus on marketing, or even relax. And when you’re spending too much time on simple, repetitive questions, it keeps you from growing your business and being efficient in other areas. Property managers and Airbnb hosts need to avoid these big mistakes.
3. Struggling with Messages from Multiple Platforms
If you’re listing on Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO, and maybe even taking direct bookings, you’re getting messages from all over the place. It’s easy to feel like you’re losing control when you’re constantly switching between apps. One minute you’re responding to an inquiry from Airbnb, and the next, you’re dealing with a question from Booking.com. It’s chaotic, and mistakes happen.
Sometimes, a message gets lost in the shuffle, or you reply late because you were dealing with another booking. This can be a major issue—especially if it means missing a booking request or failing to address a guest’s problem. It’s stressful and overwhelming to try and manually keep track of every conversation, especially when the messages are spread across different platforms.
4. Not Being Available When Guests Need Property managers
Guests don’t plan their questions around your schedule. They’ll message at any hour—sometimes in the middle of the night—expecting help with a check-in code or directions to the property. The expectation for 24/7 availability is high, and it’s a lot for anyone to handle alone.
The reality is, if a guest can’t get a quick answer, it can cause serious issues. They might be standing outside, unable to get in, or confused about something essential for their stay. These are the kinds of moments that can make or break their experience, and if they feel like you aren’t available to help, it’s likely to reflect in their review. But staying available all the time? That’s simply not possible for most hosts. Property managers and airbnb hosts need to avoid these 5 big mistakes to grow their business.
5. Sending Messages That Feel Robotic and Impersonal
It’s one thing to automate responses—it’s another to make sure those responses still feel warm and welcoming. Automation is necessary to keep up with everything, but if your guests feel like they’re just talking to a cold machine, it can leave a bad impression. Guests want to feel like they’re getting real attention, not like they’re just another booking in the queue.
Finding the right balance between automating responses and keeping them personal is a challenge that property managers face all the time. You want guests to get the information they need without delay, but if the messages feel too generic, it takes away from the experience. Personal touches matter, especially when you’re trying to create a memorable stay for your guests.
The One Solution That Fixes All These mistakes for property managers and air bnb hosts
All these challenges come down to one core issue: effective guest communication. This is where Guest Guru comes in as the perfect partner for Guesty users like you.
Guest Guru is an AI-powered guest messaging tool designed specifically to help property managers and Airbnb hosts avoid the pitfalls that come with managing guest communication.
- Instant Replies 24/7 for Property managers : Guest Guru’s AI chatbot replies to guests instantly, no matter the time. Whether it’s a simple question about check-in or a late-night query about parking, guests get answers right away—without you needing to be glued to your phone.
- Handles Repetitive Questions Automatically for Airbnb hosts: Instead of typing out the same response over and over, let Guest Guru take care of it. The AI handles common questions like WiFi passwords, parking info, and check-in details—all without you lifting a finger.
- Unified Inbox: No more jumping between platforms. Guest Guru brings all your guest messages into one place, so you’re never scrambling to keep up with different apps. Whether the message comes from Airbnb, Booking.com, or your direct booking site, it’s all in one spot.
- Keeps It Personal: Even though it’s AI, Guest Guru lets you set the tone of your responses. You can make them friendly, professional, or laid-back—whatever suits your brand best. This means your guests get fast answers, but they still feel like they’re getting a personal touch.
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5 Big mistakes by Property managers and Airbnb, One solution! Guest guru
Managing short-term rentals is hard work, but guest communication doesn’t have to be. With Guest Guru, property managers and and air bnb hosts can avoid these 5 big mistakes, provide better service to your guests, and free up your time for the things that really matter.
Ready to Fix Your Guest Communication? Try Guest Guru for Free
If you’re tired of struggling with guest messages and want an easier way to manage everything, give Guest Guru a try. It integrates smoothly with Guesty and makes managing guest communication a breeze. Guest guru will help you avoid these 5 big mistakes.
Sign up for a free trial today and see how much simpler it can be.