How to make the most of ChatGPT at your hotel

Today’s ever-changing business landscape places a strong emphasis on efficiency and productivity as the fundamental drivers of success. This is no different in the hotel industry, where efficiency can be key to the making or breaking of a property. With artificial intelligence taking the world by storm in 2023, many hotel owners have begin wondering how they can boost their productivity and leverage it for the success of their businesses. In this article, we delve into the ways in which hotels can harness the power of ChatGPT to propel their productivity and elevate their performance. From marketing tips to data analysis and customer service, we hope that this article will open your eyes to a new way of working in 2023. 

ChatGPT in the hotel industry

Artificial Intelligence (AI) feels like nothing new as we approach the end of the year 2023. Most people have learned about it, almost everyone has used it and many people have integrated it into their everyday lives; at work and at home.

In the world of work particularly, AI has offered businesses across all industries a different way of working, a faster approach to working as well as a more targeted and a accurate way of carrying out tasks. At 1834 Hotels, we feel that the way in which AI is used hotels should be no different.

There is a myriad of ways that ChatGPT in particular could support your business; from marketing to data analysis and research – there’s no limit to its potential in your business! If you’re a hotel owner or manager and looking to improve the productivity of your establishment, this article will invite you to consider the ways in which you could be doing just that.

What are the benefits of using AI in general at your hotel?

Before we take a good look at the ways in which ChatGPT can complement the systems and processes at your hotel, we’ll dive into some of the great benefits of AI technology in general and offer you some inspiration for the future of your business.

Enhanced customer experience

It is no longer unbelievable to assume that AI-powered tools and technologies can personalise and greatly improve the guest experience at your property. Using such technology can lead to higher guest satisfaction (and therefore better reviews) at a lower cost; for example through the use of chatbots. But more than this, AI can analyse guest preferences, offer personalised recommendations, and provide seamless interactions.

Increased efficiency and productivity

Efficiency and productivity are some of the most compelling benefits of using ChatGPT and other AI tools at your hotel. AI can automate repetitive tasks, such as reservation management and check-in/check-out processes (allowing hotel staff to focus on more complex and value-added activities) as well as write out text, quicken translation, write emails – you name it – AI makes everything a little faster and leaves you time to do more important things.

Data-driven insights

Finally, one of the most time saving and valuable impacts of AI is its ability to process large amounts of information at once. AI can analyse large volumes of data collected from various sources, such as guest feedback, online reviews, and social media, to extract valuable insights. Decision-making processes are therefore made easy and more accurate.

Improved revenue management

Revenue management is everything at a hotel. Who you sell a room to at what price has always mattered and probably always will. Fortunately, AI algorithms can analyse historical data, market trends, and competitor pricing to optimise room rates and maximise revenue. You’ll therefore find that hotels can sooner and more accurately set dynamic pricing strategies, manage inventory more effectively, and identify upselling opportunities.

Streamlined operations

When it comes to things such as housekeeping and maintenance scheduling, inventory management, and supply chain optimisation, AI can help you streamline your operations. This can lead to cost savings, reduced waste, and more efficient resource allocation, eventually helping you improve your margins.

Enhanced security and safety

A slightly lesser-known benefit of AI in the hotel industry is related to security. AI-powered surveillance systems can now monitor hotel premises, detecting and alerting staff to potential security threats or anomalies. What’s more, contactless check-in/check-out using facial recognition technologies can also be used to ensure that the right people are being let into your premises.

How to make the most of ChatGPT at your hotel

AI as a whole is something that many people believe will truly transform the hotel industry (and the world) over the next few years. However, it is also true that many of these developments might not be used for a few years yet.

In the meantime, hotels do have access to one particularly powerful tool; ChatGPT. If you’re not already using ChatGPT in most departments of your hotel, you’re missing out on some great potential. Read on to discover some thought provoking ways to streamline your hotel business with the help of ChatGPT.

1. Blogging and website content

Some have claimed that blogging is an outdated marketing strategy in a saturated landscape, however many don’t agree. Blogging with a strong SEO strategy in place is important in any business because it increases online visibility, establishes industry authority, fosters customer engagement, and drives targeted traffic. Most importantly, your SEO performance can have a great impact on your website traffic.

That being said, blogging can be a very time consuming task which requires some prior knowledge, a strong strategy and often a paid freelancer. ChatGPT is one way in which hotels can help themselves to start a hotel blog. By asking ChatGPT to either provide a solid outline for each of your blog topics, having them fill in sections you need help with, or rewording paragraphs, you can greatly speed up the blog writing process.

You could also ask ChatGPT to write your website copy for you, create catchy slogans, headlines or reword your ‘about us’ section for a content refresh. The possibilities are endless!

2. Translation

When Google translate doesn’t quite get it right, and a translator costs a small fortunate, ChatGPT brings about a great and cost effective new way to integrate translation into your hotel business whilst simultaneously improving customer satisfaction.

If your property receives a high proportion of customers from Germany, from China or anywhere else in the world, why not make them feel more welcome with the help of personalised welcome emails, translated signage, translated compendiums, directions and much more? By simply asking ChatGPT to ‘translate this’, you’ll achieve some almost flawless translations and increase the guest satisfaction of your international guests.

3. Generating menu ideas

Idea generation has never been more fun and inspiring than with the use of ChatGPT. By asking the technology to help come up with a new menu for your restaurant or a new cocktail for the season, you can stumble across some great ideas and recipes.

Looking for ideas for a specials menu using some of the produce you’ve got left over? Or perhaps giving the whole menu a refresh? Ask ChatGPT to help. Here’s what the chat generated for us:

1834 Hotels: We’ve got some salmon to use at our restaurant. Can you come up with a fresh, summery recipe for us?

ChatGPT: How about a delicious Salmon Teriyaki dish? Here’s a recipe to inspire you:

Ingredients:

• Fresh salmon fillets
• Teriyaki sauce
• Soy sauce
• Mirin (sweet rice wine)
• Brown sugar
• Garlic, minced
• Ginger, grated
• Sesame seeds for garnish
• Green onions, chopped for garnish
• Steamed rice to serve

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger to make the marinade.
2. Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Make sure the salmon is well-coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably a few hours for maximum flavor.
3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. Remove the salmon from the marinade, reserving the marinade for basting.
5. Grill the salmon fillets on each side for about 4-5 minutes, basting with the reserved marinade occasionally.
6. Once the salmon is cooked through and has nice grill marks, remove it from the grill.
7. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
8. Serve the grilled salmon over steamed rice and drizzle with any remaining marinade.

This salmon teriyaki recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, and the grilling adds a delightful smoky taste. It’s a fantastic choice for a fresh and summery dish at your restaurant.

Feel free to adjust the recipe and serve it with your choice of sides or garnishes to suit your restaurant’s preferences. Enjoy cooking and serving this delightful dish to your customers!

4. Marketing assistance

Marketing tasks can often fall behind when you’re managing a hotel. There’s a whole lot to do, and often not enough hands to carry it out. However, with the help of ChatGPT, you could quickly come up with an impactful and somewhat effortless marketing strategy that doesn’t take up hours of your day.

Social media assistance 

Firstly, you could use ChatGPT to come up with captions for your photos. Instead of spending time conjuring up something witty yourself, ask the platform and prepare to be amazed. Here’s what ChatGPT said to us when we asked it to provide us with a caption to go alongside a photo of our new salmon teriyaki dish above:

1834 Hotels: We have a new salmon teriyaki dish at the restaurant this summer. Can you write a witty social media caption for Instagram that makes people want to come and try it?

Marketing tips

Although the possibilities are essentially endless, a final way we recommend using ChatGPT when it comes to marketing your hotel is by asking for strategy tips and advice. The AI technology is able to look over numerous helpful websites and come up with a strategy for your hotel based on your requirement. Here’s how we got on:

1834 Hotels: I have a small hotel and I want to know what marketing strategy I should implement. I don’t have much time or budget.

ChatGPT: When it comes to marketing your small hotel with limited time and budget, here are a few strategies that can be effective:

1. Leverage Social Media: Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be powerful tools for promoting your hotel. Create engaging content, share appealing visuals, and interact with potential guests to build awareness and attract bookings. Focus on targeting specific demographics and using relevant hashtags to reach your intended audience.

2. Optimize your Website: Ensure that your hotel’s website is user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimized for search engines. Incorporate high-quality photos, clear descriptions, and essential information such as room rates, amenities, and contact details. Implement SEO techniques for better online visibility and consider adding a booking engine for convenient direct bookings.

3. Local Partnerships: Collaborate with local businesses and organizations to cross-promote your hotel. This can include offering exclusive discounts or packages to their customers or participating in joint marketing initiatives. Establishing relationships with nearby attractions, restaurants, or event venues can help attract visitors who may need accommodation.

4. Guest Reviews and Testimonials: Encourage satisfied guests to leave positive reviews on platforms like Tripadvisor or Google. Positive reviews can boost your hotel’s reputation and attract potential guests. Consider offering incentives or discounts for guests who leave reviews, and always respond to both positive and negative feedback in a professional and timely manner.

5. Email Marketing: Build an email list of past and potential guests and send out regular newsletters or promotional offers. Keep your emails engaging and personalized to catch the attention of recipients. Use tools like automated emails for welcoming new subscribers, following up after stays, or offering special deals.

6. Local Listings and Online Travel Agencies (OTAs): Ensure that your hotel is listed on popular OTAs like Booking.com, Expedia, or Airbnb. This can increase your visibility and reach a wider audience. In addition, claim and optimize your hotel’s profiles on Google My Business and other local directories to improve local search rankings.

Remember, consistency and targeting the right audience are key. Focus on strategies that align with your target market and allocate your limited resources wisely. Continuously monitor and refine your marketing efforts based on feedback and results to maximize your return on investment.

5. Data analysis

When it comes to how to make the most of ChatGPT at your hotel, data analysis is something you shouldn’t dismiss. Before ChatGPT, in order to analyse data, we needed either some incredible patience, some great skill, or an expert in order to deduct important information from our data and make decisions accordingly. Today, this process has become much easier. ChatGPT is able to do the following for your hotel property when it comes to data analysis:

• Customer segmentation: ChatGPT can analyse customer reviews and feedback, providing insights into guest sentiments and preferences.
• Market research: By utilising ChatGPT, hotels can gather data on market trends, competitor analysis, and customer preferences.
• Data processing: ChatGPT can assist hotels in handling and processing large volumes of data more efficiently. It can extract relevant information from various sources, organise and structure data, and generate insights.
• Demand forecasting: Hotels can use ChatGPT’s data analysis capabilities to predict demand patterns based on historical data, seasonal trends, and other relevant factors.

Simply looking to learn more about your customers? Here’s what happened when we asked ChatGPT to go through TripAdvisor reviews of one 1834 Hotels managed property and inform us what customers liked most about their stays:

1834 Hotels: What do people like most about my hotel? [Link to hotel Tripadvisor page}

ChatGPT: Based on Tripadvisor reviews of your hotel, people have mentioned several positive aspects of the hotel. Here are a few highlights:

1. Wonderful Views: Guests have appreciated the hotel’s beautiful views of the river.
2. Free Parking: The hotel offers complimentary parking, which is a convenience for guests.
3. High-Speed Internet: Guests have mentioned that the hotel provides high-speed internet access.
4. Pool: The hotel features a swimming pool, which guests have enjoyed.
5. Bar/Lounge: The presence of a bar or lounge area has been positively mentioned by guests.
6. Billiards: The availability of a billiards area has been appreciated by some guests.
7. Balconies: Some rooms at the hotel are equipped with balconies, which guests have enjoyed.

Please note that these comments are based on reviews left by individual guests and may not represent the opinions of all visitors. It is always a good idea to explore multiple sources and consider a range of feedback when evaluating guest preferences for your hotel.

Keep your hotel modern and competitive with 1834 Hotels

Elevate your business with 1834 Hotels. Leave the hassle of countless hotel operations to us – we manage the bits and pieces you don’t need to know in-depth, while keeping you informed throughout.

Contact us today for more information about how we can manage your hotel.