How to manage your vacation rental with Smoobu’s features

Running a vacation rental business takes time — especially when you manage multiple properties. In this guide, we’ll show you how Sarah, a vacation rental host, uses Smoobu’s vacation rental management software to simplify daily tasks, save time, and create a better guest experience.

Smoobu brings all the essential tools for hosts into one platform — from channel management and direct booking to guest communication and invoicing. Here’s how Sarah makes the most of it.

1. Connect all your booking channels automatically

Managing multiple booking sites can quickly become overwhelming. Sarah used to update her Airbnb and Booking.com calendars manually, which led to stress and potential double bookings.

With Smoobu’s Channel Manager, Sarah connects her Airbnb, Booking.com, and other channels in minutes. All bookings sync in real time, so her availability and prices stay accurate everywhere. Each reservation appears automatically in her Property Management System (PMS), giving her full visibility over upcoming stays.

Feature used: Channel Manager

2. Create your own commission-free direct booking website

To attract more guests and reduce OTA commission fees, Sarah wanted to take direct bookings.

With Smoobu’s Website Builder, she built a professional direct booking website in just a few clicks. She added her Booking Engine, set her availability, and enabled Dynamic Pricing to adjust her rates based on demand automatically. Now, guests can book directly — securely and without any third-party fees.

Features used: Website Builder, Booking Engine, and Dynamic Pricing.

3. Automate communication with your guests

Before Smoobu, Sarah sent every confirmation and check-in email manually.

With Smoobu’s Automated Messages, all essential communication happens automatically — from booking confirmation and check-in instructions to local tips and check-out reminders. Each message can be personalized with guest names and property details.

Result: Less admin, fewer errors, and happier guests who enjoy smooth, timely communication.

Feature used: Automated Messages

4. Provide an exceptional digital guest experience

Guests love helpful, personal touches.

With Smoobu’s Guest Guide, Sarah sends every guest a digital welcome guide before arrival. It includes essential details such as WiFi code, entry instructions, and maps — plus her local favorites, like cafés, restaurants, and activities.

Her guests feel cared for, and her five-star reviews reflect it.

Feature used: Guest Guide

5. Generate invoices and manage payments easily

Handling payments and invoices used to take Sarah hours each week.

With Smoobu’s Invoicing System, she now automates the entire process. The system creates customized invoices with her logo, tracks payment status, and shares invoices with guests instantly. It keeps financial records organized and compliant — no spreadsheets required.

Feature used: Invoicing System

6. Use data and analytics to improve performance

Sarah wanted to understand which channels brought the most revenue and which months performed best.

With Smoobu’s Statistics Dashboard, she gets all the answers at a glance. The dashboard shows occupancy rates, income by channel, and performance comparisons month-to-month — helping her make informed business decisions.

Feature used: Statistics Dashboard

7. Streamline team communication and operations

Sarah also needed to coordinate with her cleaning partner without endless messages.

With Smoobu’s Multi-Property Management, she manages all her properties in one dashboard. She then invited her cleaning partner through User Management, giving access only to check-in and check-out schedules. This keeps operations running smoothly while protecting sensitive data.

Features used: Account Management

8. Manage your rentals anywhere with the Smoobu Mobile App

With the Smoobu Mobile App, Sarah can manage her entire business on the go. Whether she’s traveling or relaxing at the beach, she can check her calendar, get instant booking notifications, and reply to guest messages — all from her phone.

She stays in control of her business from anywhere.

Feature used: Smoobu Mobile App

Why hosts trust Smoobu for vacation rental management

With Smoobu running quietly in the background, Sarah’s business is more organized, automated, and profitable. She spends less time on manual tasks and more time focusing on what matters most — creating outstanding guest experiences.

Start your 14-day free trial today — no credit card required.