Are AI receptionists the future for beauty and wellness businesses?

Today's customers want immediate, around-the-clock responses, with bookings for everything from gym classes to gel nails made in just a tap. This demand is especially evident in the wellness sector, where younger generations account for 41% of overall spending in the U.S. Their focus on health and self-care is fueling growth across gyms, salons, and barbershops. But traditional staffing models are struggling to keep pace.

Customers desire seamless booking at any time of day, and many value automation flows that remember their preferences. In fact, 90% of clients appreciate this level of personalization. And while online booking continues to rise, the phone is far from obsolete.

In 2025, 77% of salon and spa regulars say calling is always or mostly the easiest way to update appointments, and 50% regularly need after-hours support. The challenge? Most salons, spas, and gyms simply can’t staff their front desk around the clock.

To keep up with rising expectations, many beauty and wellness brands are turning to digital receptionist tools that work alongside in-person staff. The aim isn't to replace traditional roles but to support teams and deliver the level of service clients now demand. 

Here's how this technology is reshaping the industry and why adopting it can give your business a competitive edge.

Research indicates that 75% of consumers want 24/7 customer service, and over half expect businesses to be available around the clock. In a culture shaped by Amazon-style convenience, this expectation has become the norm. 

The moral of the story? Businesses that aren't always available risk losing significant revenue, as consumers are quick to move on when their needs aren’t met. 

In fact, 2025 data shows that 71% of salon and spa regulars have skipped booking because it was too difficult to reach someone or book online. This rises to 79% for medspa regulars.

For many salons and gyms, interest often peaks late in the evening, long after the front desk has closed. Without someone available to answer, those inquiries are often lost. Zenoti data shows that businesses miss around 35% of calls each month, with a large share coming in after hours.

An AI receptionist fills that gap by answering calls instantly, logging inquiries, and providing real-time booking options even after hours.

Let's say a client calls your spa at 10 p.m., hoping to book a consultation for the next day. Normally, they would be stuck leaving a voicemail and waiting until morning for someone to get back to them. 

An AI receptionist can answer their call straight away, recognize their details, and confirm an open slot on the spot. So, rather than missed opportunities, every inquiry turns into a chance to build the relationship.

And in a world where customers won’t wait, an AI receptionist answers on the first ring, every time. Given that the majority of customers (83%) won’t stay on hold for more than five minutes, and nearly half will hang up after just three, this is significant.

Capturing leads is only half the battle. Once bookings are made, the next challenge is making sure they actually happen. No-shows remain one of the biggest frustrations for wellness businesses, draining revenue and wasting staff time. 

Many clients still prefer to manage appointments by phone. In fact, 77% say calling is the easiest way to update appointments, and 81% call outside normal hours at least sometimes. An AI receptionist makes sure those calls never go unanswered, turning potential no-shows into rescheduled visits. When combined with other AI-powered front desk tools, it can help reduce losses and keep schedules full, such as:

Here is a quick scenario illustrating how this combination could work in practice:

Let's say you own a barbershop, and a client has requested to be notified if an earlier time slot becomes available. Thanks to your AI system, when a cancellation comes through, they're alerted right away. For businesses with multiple locations, the software can even suggest earlier times at nearby branches, providing clients with more options and reducing lost revenue.

While answering phones, rescheduling appointments, and managing cancellations keep operations moving, they often come at the expense of personal interactions that drive long-term client loyalty.

By handling these routine tasks, an AI receptionist gives staff the freedom to focus fully on clients. That could be as simple as greeting clients warmly when they arrive and then carrying that conversation forward, listening to their preferences, and guiding them toward services that truly fit their needs. In those moments, what might otherwise feel like a quick transaction becomes a chance to build a stronger, lasting relationship.

Take a medspa front desk, for example. Instead of juggling missed calls during busy hours, staff can use that time to walk a client through post-treatment care or recommend a skincare consultation that complements their service. Meanwhile, the AI receptionist quietly manages scheduling and inquiries in the background, so nothing slips through the cracks while staff focus on higher-value conversations.

The result isn’t about replacing human roles, but rebalancing them. With technology handling the routine, staff have the freedom to focus on the personal, relationship-driven work that sets a business apart.

Filling your schedule is only half the equation. The real growth comes from maximizing the value of each visit, and that’s where AI can make a measurable difference. An AI receptionist doesn’t just handle scheduling; it actively identifies upsell and cross-sell opportunities right at the point of booking, whether that’s suggesting a brow tint with a lash appointment, an add-on treatment during a medspa consultation, or a recovery session after a gym workout.

Clients actually want this kind of personalization. 64% of salon and spa regulars say AI should deliver tailored recommendations, and they’re more likely to rebook when they feel those suggestions are relevant.

With Zenoti’s AI Receptionist, recommendations are driven by real client data — not generic scripts — helping staff capture more revenue per appointment while still delivering a seamless, guest-first experience.

Across the wellness industry, AI receptionists are helping businesses strengthen operations to deliver better client experiences. 

Here’s how different sectors are benefiting:

Salons often juggle a flood of calls and walk-ins during busy times, not to mention inquiries that come in after closing. An AI receptionist can take the pressure off by handling those interactions smoothly, making sure no opportunity is missed. For salons using Zenoti, that support has translated into 33% more sales per guest, a 50% boost in staff utilization, and rebooking and retention rates that are three times higher than the industry average.

Medspas can use automation to stay connected with clients long after their appointment. Booking prompts and personalized, compliance-sensitive follow-up messages make it easy for guests to return for their next treatment. For medspas using Zenoti, this approach has resulted in 32% more revenue, 40% less time spent on charting, and a 25% increase in patient retention.

Many gyms notice a surge in activity late in the evening, when members are booking classes after work or updating their memberships from their phones. Instead of waiting until the front desk reopens, AI can lock in a spot or manage their account on the spot. Gyms using Zenoti report 32% more revenue per member, 80% of bookings completed through self-service, and a 50% increase in successful sign-ups.

Barbershops rely on a steady flow of regular clients, and 24/7 booking automation helps manage those repeat appointments while offering flexible booking options. Shops using Zenoti have seen impressive results, including twice the revenue per chair, a 50% boost in retail sales, and guest retention rates climbing above 48%.

Across salons, medspas, gyms, and barbershops, the results point to the same thing. When AI works alongside your front desk team, schedules run smoother, no-shows drop, and clients enjoy a more personal experience.

So, how difficult is it to bring an AI receptionist into your beauty or wellness business? 

The good news is, it’s simpler than you might think. The first step is assessing where the gaps are. Many businesses lose revenue to missed calls, unanswered after-hours inquiries, or no-shows that leave staff time and treatment slots wasted. Once you know what needs fixing, the right AI partner can step in to help.

When choosing a solution, look for features that make a real difference in day-to-day operations. For example:

Zenoti’s AI Receptionist brings these capabilities together. It can manage repeat bookings, reschedule appointments, suggest treatments, and hand over to a staff member when an issue needs a human touch.

But best of all, the ideal software platforms are designed with everyday teams in mind. The interface is intuitive, allowing staff to start using it without the need for lengthy training sessions or complicated manuals. 

The shift toward digital-first service is already underway. Clients now expect businesses to be available whenever they need them, and those expectations are quickly becoming the new baseline across the beauty and wellness industry.

AI receptionists make that shift possible by moving your business from reactive to proactive. Inquiries are answered straight away, bookings happen without delay, and clients know they can rely on support even when the doors are closed. For the team, that reliability creates a steadier flow of revenue — and the reassurance that the business is quietly running in the background while they focus on higher-value work.

Adopting these tools early gives businesses a head start. With software like Zenoti, implementation is straightforward and hassle-free, enabling your business to deliver the always-on experience clients are already seeking (in a way that feels seamless for both staff and guests). Curious? Learn more today.