Lodgify Wrap-Up: Our Favorite Moments of 2025

As 2026 draws near, it’s the perfect time to pause and look back on the year we’ve just lived.

It’s natural to focus on what lies ahead—especially when growth and productivity are top priorities—but taking a step back to reflect on recent experiences and lessons is often key to moving forward.

For Lodgify, 2025 was full of meaningful milestones and accomplishments, and we’re excited to celebrate some of our standout moments with our amazing community!

We welcomed new leadership

Lodgify started the year with a bang, welcoming Shaun Shirazian as our new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Shirazian joined our team with ample experience gained while serving as the Chief Product Officer at Pipedrive and in senior leadership roles at Intuit and Procter & Gamble, as well as endless enthusiasm to help us improve our offerings for independent hosts.

Of course, this change was bittersweet, as it meant saying goodbye to our previous CEO and Lodgify’s co-founder, Dennis Klett—at least in what was then his current capacity. We’re happy to say that Klett has continued supporting our long-term strategy as a non-executive member of our board.

Around the same time, the Lodgify board also benefitted from another new member: Joaquim Lechá, who was appointed as the new chairman. The former CEO of Typeform, Lechá has a track record of scaling SaaS companies and leading high-growth businesses.

Rounding out our management team, Gus Machado joined as our new Chief Product and Design Officer (CPDO) in June, following his work in key roles at Intuit and Pipedrive. Machado now leads our Product Management and Experience Design teams, overseeing end-to-end product strategy and execution.

Equipped with such a strong leadership team, we know we’re uniquely positioned to make a bold impact in 2026, and can’t wait to show everyone what we have in store.

We grew (and celebrated!) together

2025 was a year of growth and expansion for the Lodgify team, as we welcomed 127 new employees!

Much of our team is remote, so we were fortunate to be able to come together for company events in Barcelona in May (for our team based in Europe) and Buenos Aires in October (for our team based in the Americas).

These gatherings gave us the chance to connect with new team members, strengthen existing relationships, and enhance our internal processes through engaging workshops and activities!

Lodgify features got (even) better

We’re constantly innovating to make Lodgify even more intuitive and powerful for our users. Here’s a look at some of the standout features and updates we rolled out in 2025!

Lodgify Payments

We pride ourselves on being as comprehensive a solution as possible, so this first release should come as no surprise. Lodgify Payments is a fully integrated payment solution for U.S. hosts that brings booking transactions, payouts, and financial management directly into your Lodgify account.

By centralizing payments, offering transparent pricing, and supporting all major card types, it eliminates the need for multiple dashboards or third-party processors while keeping transactions secure and compliant. With fast setup, simplified reporting, and in-house support, Lodgify Payments makes managing short-term rental income easier, faster, and more reliable.

Lodgify Capital

2025 also saw the launch of Lodgify Capital, a flexible funding solution for U.S. hosts designed to help grow your vacation rental business without the hassle of traditional loans.

 

Instead of fixed interest, repayments are a small percentage of your rental income, so payments adjust with your bookings, giving you freedom and financial flexibility. Whether you want to add amenities, refresh interiors, hire extra staff, invest in marketing, or expand your portfolio, Lodgify Capital provides fast, pre-approved access to funds—often in 1–2 business days—so you can invest in your business with confidence.

Enhanced Vrbo connectivity experience

We also completely overhauled our Vrbo integration in 2025 to make listing, syncing, and managing properties faster, easier, and more intuitive. You can now create new Vrbo listings directly from your Lodgify account or link existing rentals, with availability, bookings, rates, and property details automatically synced between platforms.

The streamlined setup provides instant feedback at every step, while proactive status notifications and automated updates for calendars, pricing, photos, and guest messages ensure your listings stay accurate and your operations run smoothly—all without the need for manual updates or external forms.

Lodgify Smart Locks

One of our first product launches of the year was Lodgify Smart Locks, which streamlines check-ins, reduces manual tasks, and gives guests flexible access.

 

Lodgify Smart Locks makes keyless entry simple by centralizing all your smart lock devices in one dashboard, so you can manage access codes and permissions directly from your account. Unique codes are automatically generated and shared for each reservation, while permanent codes can be set for you and your team, improving both security and convenience.

Lodgify Guest Registration

Another new feature we released this year: Lodgify Guest Registration.

This feature automates the process of submitting guest information to local authorities (mandatory in many European countries), eliminating manual data entry and reducing errors. Integrated directly with your Lodgify account, it collects guest details during online check-in and securely sends them to the relevant authorities, while also providing real-time compliance monitoring to keep you up to date with changing regulations.

Damage Protection by Safely

Next on our list is Damage Protection powered by Safely, a new offering that lets U.S. hosts protect their properties from guest-related accidents without security deposits or extra platforms.

You can choose which listings to cover, select a protection level, and manage claims directly in your Lodgify account, with coverage applying across all booking channels. Flexible nightly pricing and a $0 deductible make filing claims easy, giving hosts peace of mind while keeping the guest experience smooth.

Improved invoice generation

We also significantly expanded our invoicing capabilities this year by allowing hosts to generate invoices immediately after a reservation is confirmed—both manually and, for Ultimate plan users, automatically. You can now choose exactly when invoices are created (after booking or after checkout), while improved line-item ordering and clearer reservation details in PDF exports enhance overall readability.

Plus, we introduced support for generating invoices for third-party bookings, ensuring all reservations—direct or external—can be invoiced seamlessly in one place.

Mobile app upgrades

The Lodgify mobile app got major upgrades this year to make managing your vacation rental from anywhere easier than ever. You can now create tasks on the go—manually or from templates—assign team members, set start and end times, and even approve completed work, all without leaving your phone.

The app itself is also now smoother and smarter, with a redesigned Settings page, easier access to account details, customizable light or dark mode, and push notification controls. Plus, you’ll see clear check-in and check-out times, get instant smart lock alerts, and manage online check-in forms directly from your dashboard—helping you stay in control no matter where you are.

A fresh new look

Finally, we’ve given Lodgify’s interface a major refresh to make managing your vacation rentals easier, faster, and more intuitive. Here’s a snapshot of what’s new:

• Reservations module: A cleaner design and improved workflow let you view and edit guest breakdowns, reservation details, and messages all in one place.
• Centralized availability settings: Manage preparation times, booking windows, and advanced notice for all channels from a single, easy-to-use page.
• Single property calendar: Quickly see pricing, minimum stays, and overridden rates at a glance, with a new year view and flexible week start options.
• Multi-listing calendar: Customize which rentals appear, edit bookings and prices directly, and navigate a faster, more responsive calendar across desktop and mobile.

We hosted…

Yes, we hosted—and we don’t mean vacation rentals. For the first time ever, we put on events of our very own: a Lodgify Meetup in Miami and the Independent Host Summit.

A Miami Meetup

First, we made an exciting debut in Miami in May with our first-ever Lodgify Meetup—a dedicated event for hosts to learn, connect, and walk away with strategies to grow their businesses. Held at the Miami Ironside Business Center, the meetup brought together industry experts and passionate hosts for a focused day of insights under the theme “Smart Hosting: Strategies to Start Strong & Scale Fast.”

Attendees enjoyed impactful sessions from Kristen & Michael of The Seventh Ray House, Amber Prickett from PriceLabs, Denis Hanks from FAVR, and Lodgify’s own Lucas Queiroz, covering everything from branding and marketing to revenue management, regulations, and smart scaling with Lodgify.

Beyond the content, the event was a fantastic chance to meet our community face-to-face and hear directly from the hosts we serve. A huge thank you to our partners and everyone who joined us—Miami was just the beginning, and we can’t wait for the next meetup!

The Independent Host Summit

Then, in November, we hosted the biggest online event of the industry: The Independent Host Summit. With more than 10,000 registrations, this event united vacation rental hosts, industry experts, and tech innovators from around the world for a dynamic online gathering dedicated to empowering independent hospitality entrepreneurs.

Over the course of four hours, thousands of attendees tuned in to hear 10+ expert speakers share practical strategies on everything from establishing direct booking foundations to using automation, AI, and data to run a more efficient and profitable business. Designed to give hosts confidence and clarity to grow on their own terms, the Independent Host Summit marked the largest virtual event ever created specifically for independent hosts.

The event covered every stage of the hosting journey—from landing those first bookings to scaling a full-fledged brand. Attendees heard inspiring personal stories, learned proven booking and pricing tactics, explored tools that improve efficiency, and got an exclusive look at Lodgify’s latest innovations.

Backed by 16 generous partners and enthusiastic participation from the global hosting community, the inaugural Independent Host Summit was a milestone moment in Lodgify’s mission to support and uplift hosts everywhere. Thank you to everyone who made it possible!

Missed the live event? Watch the recording here.

…and attended events all over the world

We didn’t only host our own events this year—we also had the privilege of attending vacation rental industry events all over the world. Specifically, members of our team attended:

• Scale Marbella Meet & Learn in Marbella, Spain, at which our Regional Marketing Director Alberto Fernández presented on how to make your vacation rentals stand out in the ChatGPT era
• Level Up Your Listing Summit in Phoenix, where we were sponsors and had our very own tarot booth (it was a big hit!)
• Salon de la Conciergerie Locative in Lille, France, where we connected with local industry professionals, partners, and property managers
• The Shortyz in London, an annual awards ceremony hosted by Short Term Rentalz (more on this next!)
• Short Stay Summit in London, at which we were a gold-level sponsor, and where Alberto participated in a workshop talk on “the future of technology” and hosted an SEO consulting session
• Vitur Summit in Málaga, one of the most important events of the industry in Spain, which included a selection of 70+ panels
• VRMA International Conference in Las Vegas, where various team members represented Lodgify with a booth and snazzy swag
• Vacation Rental World Summit (VRWS) in Rome, at which we joined sessions and roundtables to engage directly with property managers and industry professionals
• Vivere di Turismo Festival in Rimini, Italy, where we took party in workshops and conversations about regulations, automation, pricing, revenue, and new market trends among 2,000+ hosts and property managers

All of these events were great opportunities for us to engage with hosts and learn from peers and leaders in the industry—and represent Lodgify, of course!

We won big

Our first Shorty (best app, anyone?)

One of the most meaningful moments of all of 2025 occurred at The Shortyz, the awards ceremony hosted by Short Term Rentalz that recognizes the most innovative and impactful players in the short-term rental world. We brought home a Shorty!

The night was already thrilling—we’d been nominated for both Best App and Best Property Management System—but the real buzz came when our mobile app was announced as the winner of Best App. Because the award is decided by public vote, this victory felt especially rewarding, showing just how much hosts and property managers rely on and appreciate what we’re building.

It was an unforgettable moment for the team and a huge boost as we continue crafting tools that make managing a vacation rental business easier, smarter, and more mobile than ever.

TravelTech award

But that’s not all—just over a month after we won our Shorty, Lodgify was crowned “Short-Term Rental PMS of the Year” by the 2025 TravelTech Breakthrough Awards—a prestigious program that celebrates global innovators reshaping how travel is booked and managed.

With thousands of submissions from more than 14 countries, the competition was intense, making this recognition even more meaningful. The award reflects the strength of Lodgify’s all-in-one platform—from our centralized channel manager and custom website builder to AI-powered messaging, in-house dynamic pricing, and our dedicated apps for hosts and guests.

Leading OTAs recognized us…

We’re proud to have earned top-tier partner status from major online travel agencies (OTAs) again in 2025. This year, we achieved Airbnb’s Preferred+ Partner designation, Vrbo’s Elite Partner level, and Booking.com’s Premier Connectivity Partner status.

Looking ahead to 2026, strengthening these partnerships will remain a key focus. By doing so, we can continue offering our users a seamless, high-quality channel management experience.

…and so did the top software review sites

We were also honored to be recognized by leading software review sites in 2025.

Specifically, Capterra recognized us as a top-rated tool in three of its Shortlist reports: Channel Management, Reservations, and Vacation Rental. The Capterra Shortlist recognizes the highest-rated and most popular products on the market.

Meanwhile, Software Advice awarded us with their Front Runners recognition, which ranks top products based on user reviews, and GetApp named us Category Leaders in Channel Management, Hospitality Property Management, and Reservations. (This means that we’re in the top 15 apps within each of these categories.)

We forged new partnerships

We’ve spent the year focused on elevating the experience for our users—refining our own tools while also expanding our ecosystem with a wide range of new integrations. These new partnerships give you even more ways to scale, streamline, and confidently run your vacation rental business:

• Authenticate uses AI-powered identity verification and risk scoring to help hosts quickly confirm guests’ identities, prevent fraud, and protect their property from problematic bookings.
• Baselane combines banking, AI-powered bookkeeping, expense management, and reporting to simplify finances and help hosts save time, stay organized, and grow their business.
• Botel AI automates guest messaging and property management tasks, delivering instant, personalized responses, handling requests, and even generating upselling opportunities to streamline operations and enhance the guest experience.
• Directo is a Chrome extension that helps property owners increase direct bookings by alerting travelers on third-party platforms to better deals on your site and seamlessly redirecting them to complete their reservation.
• FAAKIIR syncs financial data from Lodgify and other platforms to generate accurate, professional invoices for property owners and service providers, saving time and eliminating manual errors.
• GetYourGuide is a global online marketplace where travelers can discover and book tours, activities, attractions, and unique experiences in thousands of destinations around the world.
• Happy Guest delivers digital guidebooks, collects agreements and deposits, verifies IDs, and lets hosts offer personalized extras to enhance the guest experience—all with minimal effort.
• HomeRunner is a WordPress plugin that turns any site into a professional direct booking engine, syncing in real time with Lodgify to offer advanced search, seamless checkout, and full control over bookings and branding.
• HostIQ is a hospitality intelligence platform that helps short‑term rental managers turn their data into actionable insights with smart dashboards, goal setting, vacancy management, and guest relationship tools to boost revenue and performance.
• Hostkit automates legal, tax, and reporting requirements by syncing in real time with Lodgify, while also offering tools like digital guidebooks, smart lock integration, and expense management.
• Houfy is a direct booking marketplace that lets hosts keep more earnings by eliminating service fees, offering guests better deals, and syncing listings and bookings seamlessly with Lodgify.
• Jana Concierge helps managers streamline staff and task coordination, automate billing, and provide owners and guests with easy access to information—all from one centralized system.
• Key Data provides real-time market insights, competitive benchmarking, and advanced reporting to help property managers optimize pricing, maximize occupancy, and boost revenue.
• Lake.com is a niche platform designed for waterfront stays, helping hosts showcase lakehouses, cabins, and coastal properties to high-intent travelers while offering seamless Lodgify syncing.
• Nuki offers smart lock devices and software that enable keyless access, allowing hosts to automatically generate and manage guest entry codes and control property access remotely through the Nuki app.
• Smartness automates dynamic pricing, tracks performance, and provides market insights to help vacation rental hosts and property managers maximize revenue and stay competitive.
• TechTape is a full-service, tech-enabled revenue management partner that uses Lodgify data and dynamic pricing strategies to optimize short-term rental rates, increase occupancy, and maximize revenue with minimal effort from hosts.
• Tourmie syncs with Lodgify to automate messaging, online check-in, digital guidebooks, and upsells, helping hosts streamline operations and enhance the guest journey.
• VRPlatform automates owner payouts, revenue management, trust compliance, and financial reporting, giving property managers a centralized, time-saving platform to streamline their operations.
• We Chalet is a platform that connects travelers with nature-focused vacation rentals, offering curated stays in scenic locations while supporting environmental conservation through initiatives like tree planting.
• WelcomeScreen is a Smart TV app that transforms any compatible TV into a personalized welcome hub, displaying tailored greetings, booking info, Wi‑Fi details, local events, and upsell offers to enhance the guest check-in experience.

We felt the love…

Your feedback plays a key role in helping us enhance our services, and we value every comment—whether it’s praise or constructive criticism. This year, we’ve collected more than 2,100 reviews across international platforms, achieving an impressive average rating of 4.73 out of 5 stars and a 92.4% customer satisfaction score (CSAT)!

A big thank you to everyone who shared their experiences with Lodgify—we truly appreciate your insights!

…and shared our expertise

Providing valuable resources is at the heart of how we help our customers manage their properties and navigate the vacation rental industry. Our blog may now be 11 years old, but we’re still uncovering fresh and relevant topics to share!

Some of our standout initiatives from 2025 include:

• Webinars with top industry stakeholders, including Airbnb and Booking.com
• Our first-ever course on Udemy, on how to get started with your short-term rental business
• Industry reports on the state of the vacation rental industry in 2024 and the 2025 summer season
• Success Stories depicting how our customers have grown their businesses with Lodgify
• Guides and templates to help your vacation rental business succeed
• Numerous new blogs!

And these are just our own resources! Our CEO Shaun Shirazian also shared his expertise in a number of podcasts and videos, including the following:

• How to Think Like a CEO | The Accommodation Show by iBooked Online
• First 100 Days as a New CEO | STR Investing, The Podcast
• Booking the Future | Behind the Stays Podcast
• Why Most Hosts Are Slaves to Their Airbnb (and How to Break Free) | STR Like the Best Podcast

Here’s to even more success in 2026!

What a year it’s been! We’re amazed by everything we’ve achieved over the past 12 months and can’t wait to keep helping hosts start, grow, and thrive in the year ahead.

Before we turn our eyes to the future, we want to send a huge THANK YOU to all our customers, partners, and supporters who made 2025 such an incredible year—we truly couldn’t have done it without you!

If you haven’t tried Lodgify yet, there’s no better time to dive in. Start your free trial today or schedule a demo with one of our experts to discover all that we have to offer!

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Insurance services are provided through Lodgify Insurance Services Inc. (CA License #6014335) (“LIS”) an insurance agency affiliate of Codebay Solutions Ltd. with its principal place of business in 1700 W Irving Park Road Suite 209A, Chicago, IL 60613.  LIS acts in partnership with On Demand Insurance Agency, LLC (dba Safely), an unaffiliated insurance agency which offers insurance business on behalf Obsidian Specialty Insurance Company (NAIC# 16871). LIS is licensed as a property casualty insurance agency in all jurisdictions in which it offers insurance products (see further license information here). Not all insurance coverages or products are available in all jurisdictions. All insurance products are governed by the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions in the applicable insurance policy. Coverage is subject to actual policy language. LIS may be paid a commission, fee or other compensation for its services.

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