Hi everyone, I hope this thread finds you well! I wanted to share my experience and a feature request related to automating guest accommodations using the Virtual Devices app.
As a frequent host, I’ve been working on refining my Homey flows to streamline the experience for overnight guests. One of the key scenarios I’ve been focusing on is ensuring the AC in guest rooms is automatically turned on before bedtime. To achieve this, I created a virtual device named “Guest Mode” using the Light class for on/off functionality. I’ve also synchronized it with a Yes/No variable via flows and integrated Alexa voice control for easy toggling (e.g., “Alexa, turn on Guest Mode”).
While this setup works, it feels a bit unintuitive. Since the Virtual Devices app doesn’t offer a dedicated “Guest” class, I had to default to the Light class to get the on/off functionality, which can be confusing.
Feature Request
Would it be possible to add “Guest” or “Guest Mode” as a dedicated device class or mode template in the Virtual Devices app? This would make creating guest-related automations much more intuitive. For instance:
- Pre-bedtime AC activation in guest rooms
- Suppression of alarms or motion sensors
- Adjustment of notifications
- Triggering specific lighting scenes
I’d love to hear if anyone has found a better approach or workaround for this. I’ve been using ChatGPT to guide my setup and research, but I’m always open to community insights!
A huge thank you to Arie J. Godschalk for maintaining this fantastic app. Your work truly enhances the smart home experience!
Warm regards,
Bert