Artificial intelligence is everywhere in hospitality headlines right now. Promises of robot concierges, self-learning revenue systems, and smart room everything dominate the conversation. But while the industry debates what’s possible, a quiet shift is already underway.
A new report, The AI Hospitality Revolution, reveals that independent hotels are not only experimenting with AI, they’re using it every day to solve real business problems. And the results speak for themselves with 74% of owners saying AI has met or exceeded expectations.
This isn’t about theory. It’s about execution.
AI is helping small properties do what matters most: serve guests better
The report surveyed nearly 200 independent property owners already using AI in their operations. What it found is that AI isn’t replacing hospitality. It’s enhancing it.
The top areas where AI is delivering value aren’t in the back office. They’re guest-facing. Automated guest messaging, chatbots, and marketing tools are allowing properties to communicate faster, respond 24/7, and personalize touchpoints in ways that used to require more staff or more hours.
That shift is delivering results where it counts. Most owners reported measurable improvements within six months of implementation. Staff time savings was the number one gain, followed by cost reductions, higher occupancy, and better guest reviews. A significant portion also saw double-digit revenue growth, between 6 and 20 percent for many.
What’s more telling is how few said they saw no impact. The overwhelming majority (74%) said AI has met or exceeded expectations.
Adoption is early, but the learning curve is fast
Most properties in the study have only been using AI for a year or two. That short runway makes the outcomes even more impressive. These are early adopters who didn’t wait until the technology was perfect. They got in, tested what worked, and built from there.
For many, guest communication was the first move. It’s easy to implement, easy to measure, and the ROI shows up quickly. From there, owners expanded into marketing automation, dynamic pricing, predictive maintenance, and smart energy management.
The common thread across all successful implementations? AI was used to remove friction, not replace people. It took on repetitive, time-consuming tasks so staff could focus on what actually improves the guest experience.
Automation is not the enemy of hospitality. Poor service is.
Operators want more but need support
Despite the strong performance, barriers still exist. The most common challenges were predictable: lack of technical expertise, limited staff training, and difficulty integrating with existing systems.
Cost was a concern, but not the biggest one. In fact, most owners said they would adopt more AI if it were easier to implement, better supported, and required less upfront training. They’re not skeptical of the technology. They’re skeptical of vendors who overpromise and underdeliver.
The report also revealed a clear preference for AI that maintains a human touch. Nearly three-quarters of respondents said it’s very or extremely important that automated tools feel personal. Efficiency matters, but not at the expense of warmth.
In other words, operators aren’t chasing tech for its own sake. They’re adopting it where it helps them do what hospitality has always done best: make people feel welcome, seen, and cared for.
The next wave is coming fast
This is not a slow shift. Nearly 70 percent of respondents said AI is critical for staying competitive. Most plan to expand adoption in the next 12 months across energy management, guest personalization, staff scheduling, and more.
Guest sentiment is also trending positive. Over 60 percent of owners said guests either appreciate or love AI-powered features. Fewer than 10 percent reported any negative reactions. That gap between perception and reality is closing fast.
The real takeaway? AI isn’t replacing hospitality. It’s giving independent operators a fighting chance in a market where labor is tight, costs are high, and guest expectations keep rising.
Independent properties don’t have the margin for wasted time or missed opportunities. They need tools that perform now. According to the data, that’s exactly what AI is starting to do.
Download the full report, The AI Hospitality Revolution 2025. It offers detailed findings and actionable insights for independent hospitality leaders ready to see what AI can actually do—beyond the hype.
TakeUp is an AI-powered revenue optimization platform built for independent hospitality properties, including boutique hotels, inns, bed & breakfasts, and glamping retreats. By leveraging AI-driven insights and expert revenue strategists, TakeUp helps properties maximize revenue and save time, seamlessly integrating with leading property management systems to drive profitability and operational efficiency. For more information visit takeup.ai.
Kelly Campbell
Marketing Director
TakeUp
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