Amazon / Alexa account

[Donald225]

I can't seem to find an answer to a pretty simple question regarding the use of Amazon Echo devices in an Airbnb.

The question is, do you set up a completely separate Amazon account or use your own account with certain restrictions in place?

The property in question is a single family home.  We used to live there but moved a short distance away.  Both this and our new house have a lot of home automation, Echo devices in most rooms, etc.  While I'm at the old house working on it, I receive notifications about upcoming deliveries, someone ringing my doorbell, etc.  Of course, once we start hosting guests those things need to stop. I realize that you can set up a purchase pin, and some announcements can be configured for specific devices, but it seems to me that a completely separate account might be better.

Please, I'm not looking for pros and cons of having Alexa in an Airbnb, I'd just like some advice from those of you who do as to how you've set it up.

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

@Donald225  Is it possible to set up the device so that guests have to connect with their own accounts in order to use it? 

[Donald225]

Sure it's possible if they have an Amazon account, but that's not a viable solution.  I want the guests to be able to use it without having to set up anything.  Nor do I want to have to check and reset every Echo device every time a guest leaves.

[Gina1764]

Did you find an answer?

[Donald225]

Not really.  I just created a new separate Amazon account for the rental.  So far, nobody has attempted to change the account to their own.  A few people have unplugged them, most have not.

I'm also evaluating a service called Virtual Concierge which adds a bunch of features to Echo devices for use in rentals, hotels, etc.  It's interesting, but I really have no idea whether guests use the devices or not.

[Dana1156]

If you are in a region where Amazon's Alexa for Hospitality (AFH) is supported (currently the US and UK), that is really what you want to use. Different Amazon software is applied to the Echo devices with AFH. Guest privacy is protected, no recordings are stored in the cloud. The AIPEX Virtual Concierge solution that Don refers to above is built on that. There are many advanced features as well that aren't available on normal retail Echo devices. Full disclosure - I'm an Airbnb host but also the founder of AIPEX. I started the company because I saw the fit for this tech in vacation rentals.

[Linda4964]

That's really awesome! I'm a new host, and I'm looking to have that Alexa feature offered to my guests. I looked into the AFH, but I'm not yet ready financially to pay for a membership. How is everyone doing with Alexa/Amazon account altogether in 2025? Thanks to anyone responding.

[Lorina14]

@Linda4964 

What functionality do you want out of an Alexa device? We allow our guests to stream from our smart TV for Amazon prime but only on the guest profile. We did put a PIN number for purchases for Alexa as our son ordered a video once when we had an Alexa (he asked Alexa to show him pics of the moon or songs about the moon and it offered a paid movie) but there is no Alexa in the suite for Airbnb. 

We do have a Google dot in our suite and I have it linked to my Apple Music so guests can listen to any music or ask it questions. Some guests choose to unplug it completely while others use it during their stay. 

[Linda4964]

First, thanks for taking the time to respond! 🙂 I would like to offer the Alexa device to guests so they can use voice commands, like saying, "Alexa, turn the Nest thermostat to xx," or to turn on the nightstand lights in the master bedroom, as I used to do when I lived in that home. It was so convenient to ask Alexa to turn on one or both nightstand lights just by speaking. Guests could also ask about the weather, restaurant hours, or nearby activities. I did a lot of research and discovered that there used to be a button called 'guest connect' on Alexa, but it has been discontinued. I read that I could create a new Amazon account (with a new email address as well) linked to Alexa to keep my personal information private and prevent guests from making online orders. Lastly, I want guests to enjoy the convenience of listening to music or looking up recipes as well.  Any tips...? thanks

[Lorina14]

@Linda4964 

I think you should create another Amazon/alexa linked account separate from yours if you want to do that. The OP did that as he didn’t find another option. Another host’s reply was interesting but requires a monthly subscription which I have no idea how much that is. Or you could call Amazon and ask them directly yourself about options to protect privacy while allowing the convenience of linked devices. I would make sure to disclose this in your listing as many people may like it while others don’t want “listening devices” in their space. Unfortunately our phones, tablets, smart TV’s computers all listen as we have noticed we had YouTube suggestions on our smart TV for Spanish commercials (when we had construction done on our house - we don’t speak Spanish but our subcontractors did), my partner did a post of something on FB marketplace then YouTube advertised the same item in a commercial to him in 5 min, another time we spoke to someone about a topic on the phone then on an ad on google that day was the item they were speaking about. They didn’t search for that on the search engine at all but it randomly came up in the conversation. I’ve read how we are profiled with our searches and devices - it’s good to be aware of.

Just let people know that it exists as some people are extra careful with privacy and don’t like Alexa (I don’t) - my google dot was a gift and I only used it in our ADU suite for guests (which some enjoy and others unplug).