Guest Messaging Guide and FAQ

Managing guest communications is essential for running a successful rental property. The Guest Messaging feature in Holidu provides a centralized platform to handle all your guest interactions efficiently. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using this powerful tool.

What is Guest Messaging?

Guest Messaging is a comprehensive communication system designed to help you manage all conversations with your guests in one place. It streamlines your workflow by consolidating messages, providing intelligent assistance, and allowing you to schedule communications in advance.

Main Features of Guest Messaging

The Guest Messaging feature includes three core components:

• Inbox: View and manage all guest conversations in a centralized location
• AI Assistant: Get intelligent suggestions and automated responses to help you communicate more effectively
• Scheduled Messages: Plan and send messages to guests at specific times for better communication management

Where to Find Guest Messaging

To access the Guest Messaging feature, log into your Holidu account and navigate to your property dashboard. Look for the "Messages" or "Guest Messaging" section in your main menu. This is typically located in the left-hand navigation panel. Click on it to open the messaging hub where you can access your inbox, AI assistant, and scheduling tools.

Using the Inbox: Your Communication Center

Accessing Your Inbox

Once in the Guest Messaging section, your Inbox appears as the default view. This is where all your guest messages are displayed in chronological order. You'll see a list of conversations with your guests, showing the most recent messages at the top.

How to Use the Inbox

The Inbox is designed for easy navigation and quick responses:

• View Conversations: Click on any guest conversation to open the full message thread with that guest
• Send Messages: Type your response in the message field and click send to reply directly to your guest
• Search Messages: Use the search function to find specific conversations or keywords within your messages
• Organize Conversations: Archive or mark conversations as read to keep your inbox organized
• Quick Response: View guest details and booking information alongside the conversation for context

The Inbox updates in real-time, so you'll immediately see new messages from your guests. This ensures you never miss important communications about bookings, questions, or special requests.

AI Assistant Feature

The AI Assistant is integrated into your messaging experience to help you respond to guests more efficiently. This intelligent tool provides suggested responses based on common guest inquiries. When composing a message, the AI Assistant can help you draft professional and helpful replies, saving you time while maintaining quality communication. The feature learns from your property's specific needs and guest patterns, offering increasingly relevant suggestions over time.

Scheduled Messages

The Scheduled Messages feature allows you to plan ahead and send messages to guests at predetermined times. This is particularly useful for sending check-in instructions, house rules, or thank you messages. You can create templates for frequently sent messages and schedule them to be delivered automatically, ensuring consistent communication even during busy periods.

Guest Messaging FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access the Inbox?
Navigate to the Guest Messaging section in your property dashboard and select "Inbox" from the menu. All your guest conversations will be displayed here in one centralized location.

Can I search for specific messages in the Inbox?
Yes, the Inbox includes a search function that allows you to find conversations by guest name, booking number, or keywords within messages. This helps you quickly locate important information from past communications.

How does the AI Assistant help me?
The AI Assistant analyzes incoming guest messages and suggests appropriate responses based on your property's communication patterns and common inquiries. You can accept, modify, or ignore these suggestions before sending any message. This feature helps maintain consistent, professional communication while reducing response time.

Is the AI Assistant's response mandatory?
No, the AI Assistant's suggestions are optional. You can always write your own custom message if you prefer. The feature is designed to assist you, not replace your personal touch.

Can I use Scheduled Messages for all guest communications?
Scheduled Messages work best for predictable communications like check-in instructions, confirmation messages, or follow-up messages after checkout. For personalized or time-sensitive inquiries, direct messaging through the Inbox is recommended.

How Do I Enable Access for Collaborators?

Collaborators are not included automatically. To give a collaborator access, go to the specific property in Holidu, go to "collaborators" to adjust that person's access, and enable access to guest conversations. This needs to be done separately for each individual property.

Tips for Effective Guest Communication

• Check your Inbox regularly to respond to guest messages promptly
• Use the AI Assistant suggestions as a starting point, then personalize responses with your property's unique voice
• Plan ahead by scheduling routine messages during off-peak hours
• Keep message templates in Scheduled Messages for quick, consistent responses
• Archive resolved conversations to maintain a clean, organized Inbox

The Guest Messaging feature is designed to make your communication with guests seamless and efficient. By utilizing the Inbox, AI Assistant, and Scheduled Messages, you can manage your guest interactions professionally while saving valuable time in your day-to-day operations.