Lighthouse launches Ernest, an AI teammate for hotel performance

AI ‘last mile’ for hotel performance

Lighthouse, the Commercial Operating Platform for hospitality, has unveiled Ernest, an AI teammate for revenue, marketing, sales and distribution leaders. Positioned as the last mile between general-purpose AI models and the outcomes each hotel is targeting, Ernest links data, systems and decisions. It appears as a conversational interface and shared workspace that understands the context of a property and its market, then turns analysis into action.

Ernest brings together information from Lighthouse’s platform and systems already in place, such as the PMS, the reservations system and direct booking channels. Every answer links back to source data to ensure traceability and verification. The assistant normalises signals, models scenarios, learns a team’s preferences and recommends the next priority. “Ernest does three things for hoteliers,” said Juanjo Rodríguez, Chief AI Officer at Lighthouse. “He delivers cross-platform intelligence, focuses the team by recommending the next move and takes action based on the guardrails you set. And the more your team works with Ernest, the sharper each interaction becomes.”

Bringing isolated ecosystems together

Lighthouse argues that AI, now essential, should create value at the heart of commercial functions rather than remain confined to the guest experience. By streamlining analysis and orchestrating traceable actions, Ernest aims to accelerate and strengthen decision-making while giving teams back time for strategy and relationships. The promise is as much about execution speed as decision consistency, particularly in multi-brand or multi-asset environments where coordination across revenue, marketing and distribution shapes performance.

Ernest positions itself as a layer of intelligence and action intended to make traditionally isolated ecosystems work together. According to Lighthouse, the approach is underpinned by a proprietary data network covering 80,000 hotels in 185 countries. Sean Fitzpatrick, CEO of Lighthouse, said the launch marks a shift in how commercial teams operate. “This is a new way for commercial teams to work,” Fitzpatrick added. “By removing the friction for commercial teams, Ernest gives people their time back for strategy and real hospitality. Our goal is to make hospitality human again.”

Ernest is available now in beta for a selection of customers, ahead of a phased international roll-out through to the end of 2026. The solution will be showcased at the HSMAI Commercial Strategy Conference on 16 and 17 June in San Antonio.