Learn how message translation works in Hostaway, what translation features are currently supported, and which workarounds are available for multilingual communication.
Overview
This article explains how message translation works in the Hostaway inbox, what is currently supported, and what workarounds are available for unsupported languages or platforms. It also explains how to translate an outgoing message directly in the Inbox composer.
How Message Translation Works
OTA Messages (Airbnb, Booking.com)
- For guests: Messages sent by hosts through Hostaway are automatically translated by the OTA platforms (Airbnb and Booking.com) when displayed to guests in their native language.
- For hosts: Messages received from guests appear in the original language in the Hostaway inbox without automatic translation.
Direct Reservations and Other Communication Channels
- Messages sent or received through direct reservations, email, WhatsApp, or SMS are not automatically translated.
Translating Outgoing Messages (Composer Translate)
You can now translate a message you are about to send without leaving the Inbox:
- Type your message in your own language in the composer.
- Click the Translate icon in the composer.
- Review the translated text and send the message.
After the message is sent, you can still see it in both your own language and the translated version.
Current Limitations
- Incoming messages: Incoming messages from guests are not automatically translated in the Hostaway inbox. You can translate them manually inside the chat.
- Outgoing messages: Outgoing messages are not translated automatically. Use the Translate icon in the composer to translate them before sending.
- Language support: While most major languages are supported, some languages may not be available for translation (e.g., Booking.com does not support Greek, but does support Spanish).
- Mobile app: The translation feature is currently only available on the dashboard, not in the mobile app.
Translating Messages Inside Hostaway
You no longer need to copy text into an external tool to translate a message.
Incoming messages
Use the Translate option inside the chat to translate a guest message into your native language with a single click. This works for Airbnb, Booking.com, and direct booking channels without leaving the page.
Outgoing messages
Use the Translate icon in the composer to translate your reply before sending it. After the message is sent, you can still see it in both languages.
External tool (fallback)
If a language is not supported by the built-in translation, you can still use the Google Translate plugin in the Hostaway dashboard:
- Navigate to the message in your inbox
- Use the Google Translate plugin in your browser
- Copy and paste the message text to translate it
Future Improvements
We are actively working on implementing the translation of incoming messages on both the dashboard and mobile platforms. This enhancement will allow hosts to see guest messages automatically translated into their preferred language.
Common Questions
Q: If a host sends a message in English to a French client, will they receive it in English?
A: No, the guest will receive the message translated into French through the OTA platform (Airbnb or Booking.com).
Q: Do all OTAs translate messages automatically?
A: The two largest OTAs (Airbnb and Booking.com) provide automatic translation for guests. Other platforms may have different capabilities.
Q: How can I translate messages on my mobile device?
A: Currently, you'll need to use a separate translation app. We plan to add this feature to our mobile app in a future update.
Q: Can I translate a message I'm about to send?
A: Yes. Type your message in your own language in the composer and click the Translate icon before sending. After it's sent, you can still see it in both your own language and the translated version.