Smart Search
Overview
Smart Search is Ripe's AI-powered property search experience, designed to match the way travelers actually think and communicate. Rather than requiring an exact hotel name, Smart Search understands natural language — travelers can describe what they want, and the engine surfaces properties that match.
This replaces the legacy name-only search, which required near-exact input and returned nothing for intent-based queries. Smart Search changes that entirely.
How It Works
Smart Search indexes properties across multiple dimensions:
- Name — traditional keyword matching still works
- Location — proximity to streets, landmarks, and neighborhoods
- Price range — budget-aware filtering
- User review ratings — quality signals surfaced in results
- Property characteristics — amenities, vibe, and traveler preferences
When a traveler submits a query, the AI engine returns a matched property set alongside a generated summary that contextualizes the results — what makes these properties relevant, and what stands out about them. Property names within the summary link directly to the property detail page.
Key Features
Natural Language Queries
Travelers can search using plain descriptions: "show me a hotel with a pool near Main Street" returns relevant properties — no exact name required.
Inline Summary
Search results are accompanied by an AI-generated summary that explains why the results were surfaced and highlights what makes them relevant to the query.
Search Chips
After a query is run, keyword chips appear that reflect the interpreted search terms. Travelers can add or remove chips to refine results without re-entering a new query.
Quick-Tap Tips
Predefined suggestion chips — like Pet Friendly or Walk to Main Street — appear as one-tap shortcuts for the most common traveler searches. These make it easy to explore without typing.
Local Highlights
As a traveler scrolls down the results page, the search chips transition into curated Local Highlights — destination-specific tags (e.g., Walk to Main Street, Great for Families, Eco Friendly) that pre-populate the search with locally relevant filters.
Coming Soon: Search Insights
A new analytics layer for Smart Search is in active development. Clients will soon have access to data and insights tied directly to search behavior on their platform — giving you a clearer picture of traveler intent and engagement than ever before.
Availability
Smart Search is available now across Ripe-powered booking platforms. Legacy search has been replaced.
Updated about 23 hours ago