What to Automate (In Priority Order)
Not everything needs automation. Some things should stay human. Here’s the priority list based on time savings and impact:
1. Guest Messaging (Highest Impact)
Automated messages for booking confirmations, check-in instructions, mid-stay check-ins, checkout reminders, and review requests eliminate 70–80% of your daily communication workload. Tools: Hospitable ($40/mo, 1 listing — includes messaging + channel management + dynamic pricing), OwnerRez ($25–$40/mo — messaging + channel management + direct booking website), or Guesty for Hosts (free for up to 1 listing).
2. Pricing (Highest Revenue Impact)
Dynamic pricing tools adjust your rates automatically based on demand. Properties using dynamic pricing earn 20–40% more revenue on average. Tools: PriceLabs ($19.99/listing/mo), Beyond Pricing (1% of revenue), Wheelhouse (free tier available). See our full comparison.
3. Calendar Sync (Risk Reduction)
If you list on multiple platforms, automated calendar synchronization prevents double bookings. Any PMS (OwnerRez, Hospitable, Guesty, Hostaway) handles this. Without a PMS, use Airbnb and VRBO’s iCal sync feature — but it’s slower (can take hours to update) and less reliable than a proper channel manager.
4. Smart Home Devices
| Device | What It Automates | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Smart lock (Schlage, Yale, August) | Keyless entry, unique codes per guest, auto-lock | $150–$350 |
| Smart thermostat (Nest, Ecobee) | Auto-adjust temperature between guests, energy savings | $100–$250 |
| Noise monitor (Minut, NoiseAware) | Party prevention, automated guest alerts at 75dB threshold | $150–$300 |
| Smart plugs | Control lights, hot tub timers remotely | $15–$30 each |
5. Cleaning Coordination
Turno (formerly TurnoverBnB, free for hosts with 1 cleaner) automatically notifies your cleaning team when a checkout occurs and schedules the next turnover. It syncs with your Airbnb calendar so cleaners always know what’s coming. This eliminates the manual text-your-cleaner-every-checkout cycle.
What NOT to Automate
- Pre-booking inquiry responses: Guests can tell when these are canned. Always personalize.
- Issue resolution: When something goes wrong during a stay, a human response (fast, empathetic, with a plan) is essential.
- Review responses: Especially negative reviews. These need thoughtful, custom replies.
- Property inspections: No amount of automation replaces walking through the property after a clean.
The Full Stack (My Recommendation)
For a single Hocking Hills property, the optimal automation stack costs roughly $60–$100/month and saves 5–10 hours per week:
- Hospitable or OwnerRez for messaging + channel management ($25–$40/mo)
- PriceLabs or Wheelhouse for dynamic pricing ($0–$20/mo)
- Turno for cleaning coordination (free)
- Smart lock + thermostat + noise monitor (one-time hardware cost)
Total monthly cost: roughly one night’s revenue. Time saved: enough to actually enjoy the business you’re building.
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