17 Best Hotel Business Intelligence Software To Glean Insights In 2024
10 Best Hotel Business Intelligence Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 17 tools reviewed.
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
As a hotelier, I understand how important it is to streamline operations, maximize revenue, and stay ahead of the competition. That's where hotel business intelligence software comes into play. These powerful tools help to analyze and visualize complex data, making it easier for you to make informed decisions and implement successful strategies.
From managing reservations and billing to improving your online presence and executing data-driven marketing campaigns, these software solutions address your pain points, making hotel management more efficient and less stressful.
I trust these tools, and I'm confident they'll provide the solutions you seek for your hotel business. I encourage you to explore these options and see how they can transform your business operations. Let’s dive in!
What Is a Hotel Business Intelligence Software?
Hotel business intelligence software is a set of technology tools designed for the hospitality industry to collect, analyze, and visualize vast amounts of data. This crucial data covers areas like guest behavior, booking patterns, pricing strategies, operational efficiencies, and market trends. Primarily used by hotel managers, revenue managers, sales teams, and other stakeholders in the hospitality sector, the software aids in making data-driven decisions.
These decisions range from pricing room rates dynamically, optimizing resource utilization, and identifying market opportunities to enhancing guest experiences, ultimately aiming to boost profitability and operational efficiency in the competitive hospitality landscape.
Best Hotel Business Intelligence Software Summary
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudbeds | From $20/user/month | Website |
| datapine | From $249/user/month. | Website |
| eZee Absolute | From $45/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| SiteMinder | From $40/user/month | Website |
| IDEAS | Pricing upon request. | Website |
| inTouch | From $25/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| hoteliQ | Pricing upon request. | Website |
| Hotel Link | From $20/user/month, (billed annually). | Website |
| Actabl | From $10/user/month | Website |
| STR Global | Pricing upon request. | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareBest Hotel Business Intelligence Software Reviews
Best for connecting operations and financial data in one platform
Cloudbeds provides a hospitality management suite designed to simplify operations and financial management. The platform unifies various hotel operation modules with financial data, thereby making it an ideal tool for managing both the operational and financial aspects of a hotel in a single place.
Why I Picked Cloudbeds: I selected Cloudbeds because of its cohesive management suite, which integrates operational and financial data. This integration provides an all-encompassing view of business performance and positions Cloudbeds as the best tool for uniting operations and financial data on one platform.
What do you get for free?
Cloudbeds does not offer a free plan, but they do offer a free demo to prospective users, which allows them to test the platform's features and gauge its effectiveness for their specific needs.
Standout features & integrations:
Cloudbeds' most useful features include its property management system (PMS), rate parity management, revenue management system (RMS), and integrated reservation system. It also integrates well with various third-party applications such as travel agencies, global distribution systems, and online travel agents.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Wide range of third-party integrations
- Unifies operational and financial data
- Offers a comprehensive suite for hotel management
Cons:
- May require a learning curve for effective usage
- Could be expensive for smaller properties
- Lacks a free plan
Datapine is a robust hospitality business intelligence tool that provides advanced data analytics and visualization. Its ability to create customizable dashboards makes it the best choice for organizations seeking to visualize and understand their data in a flexible, personalized manner.
Why I Picked Datapine: I chose Datapine for its powerful data visualization capabilities and flexible dashboard customization, features that set it apart in the crowded field of BI solutions. Its ability to turn complex data into understandable, visually appealing insights makes it the best choice for customizable dashboards and data visualization.
What do you get for free?
Datapine offers a 14-day free trial, allowing you to test its features without a commitment. The trial includes full feature access but does not transition into a free plan after expiration.
Standout features & integrations:
Datapine's standout features include an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for building dashboards, advanced data analytics tools, and a wide range of customizable spreadsheet types. As for integrations, it supports connections with various data sources such as SQL databases, Google Analytics, and a variety of CRM and ERP systems.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports a wide range of data integrations
- Highly customizable dashboards
- Powerful data visualization capabilities
Cons:
- Might be too complex for beginners
- No free tier offered beyond trial period
- Higher starting price compared to competitors
Best for all-in-one hotel management, including reservations, billing, and housekeeping
eZee Absolute is a comprehensive hotel management solution that covers every aspect of your operation, from reservations to billing to housekeeping. It allows hoteliers to manage all their operations from a single, streamlined platform, which is why it's the best for those who want an all-in-one solution.
Why I Picked eZee Absolute: In the broad market of hotel management solutions, eZee Absolute stood out for me because of its exhaustive set of features covering every corner of hotel management. I selected it not only for the breadth of its features but also for its user-friendly interface, which makes managing diverse operations much less complex. For businesses seeking a comprehensive, all-in-one solution, I believe eZee Absolute is an ideal choice.
What do you get for free?
eZee Absolute does not offer a free tier, but they provide a free 14-day trial for potential customers to evaluate their software fully.
Standout features & integrations:
eZee Absolute comes with a full range of features, including a property management system (PMS), OTA insight, a booking engine, and a channel manager. It also integrates with various external platforms such as TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and Agoda, making it easier to manage online presence and reservations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integrates with major online platforms
- Easy-to-use interface
- Comprehensive all-in-one solution
Cons:
- Its comprehensive nature could be overwhelming for beginners
- Might be costly for smaller businesses
- No free tier offered
SiteMinder is a platform designed to help hotels and other accommodation providers manage their inventory and distribute it to a wide range of online channels. Given its powerful distribution capabilities and advanced inventory management, it's the optimal choice for those who need a strong grip on both elements in their hotel business.
Why I Picked SiteMinder: I chose SiteMinder because of its well-structured inventory management and expansive distribution network. Its global reach and connection with many OTAs and GDSs distinguish it from other tools. SiteMinder's focus on inventory management and distribution makes it the best fit for businesses that need to manage these two aspects effectively.
What do you get for free?
SiteMinder does not offer a free tier but does provide a 14-day free trial. This gives potential customers an opportunity to experience the platform's capabilities before committing to a paid plan.
Standout features & integrations:
SiteMinder offers features like a channel manager, a booking engine, a website builder, rate shopping, and GDS connectivity. These tools are all designed to streamline the management and distribution of hotel inventory. Among its key integrations, SiteMinder connects with a large number of online travel agencies (OTAs), global distribution systems (GDSs), and property management systems (PMSs), API, providing hotels with a wide reach and ease of management.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive suite of tools including a channel manager, booking engine, and website builder
- Wide range of integrations with OTAs, GDSs, and PMSs
- Strong inventory management and distribution capabilities
Cons:
- Can be complex to use, requiring a learning curve
- Pricing could be high for smaller establishments
- Does not offer a free tier
IDEAS offers advanced revenue management solutions tailored for the hotel industry. It uses complex data modeling to optimize pricing and inventory, making it a top choice for maximizing revenue.
Why I Picked IDEAS: Among numerous contenders, I selected IDEAS due to its comprehensive hotel revenue management capabilities. Its data modeling techniques and algorithmic sophistication are unmatched in the industry. IDEAS is the best tool for maximizing revenue as it uses advanced analytics to forecast demand, optimize pricing, and manage distribution channels, leading to tangible revenue growth.
What do you get for free?
IDEAS does not offer a free tier or trial. However, they provide a free demo and consultation to potential users, giving an insight into the system's robust capabilities.
Standout features & integrations:
IDEAS' standout features include its advanced analytics for demand forecasting and pricing optimization, occupancy data for overbooking, and length-of-stay controls. Moreover, it provides a 'What-If' Analysis feature to simulate different scenarios. IDEAS integrates with numerous property management systems, central reservation systems (CRS), and customer relationship management systems (CRM), facilitating a comprehensive data analysis environment.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive system integration capabilities
- What-If' Analysis feature allows scenario simulation
- Sophisticated data modeling for revenue optimization
Cons:
- High complexity might require a learning curve for users
- Pricing details are not transparent
- No free trial or tier offered
inTouch is a hotel business intelligence software that empowers hoteliers to launch effective, data-driven marketing campaigns. Its blend of insightful analytics and user-friendly marketing tools makes it ideal for streamlining hotel marketing efforts.
Why I Picked inTouch: Among all the tools that specialize in enhancing hotel marketing strategies, I chose inTouch for its impressive blend of deep analytics and easy-to-use marketing tools. Its capability to drive marketing campaigns using robust data sets it apart from the others. For hotels seeking to optimize their marketing strategies through data-driven decisions, inTouch, in my opinion, is the best fit.
What do you get for free?
inTouch does not offer a free version of their software, but they do provide a personalized demo so potential customers can see if it’s a fit for their needs.
Standout features & integrations:
inTouch excels at providing detailed customer insights, segmentation tools, data management, and personalized marketing campaign options. The software also integrates seamlessly with many popular CRM and PMS systems, making it easier for hoteliers to manage and access all of their data in one place.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Facilitates seamless integration with popular CRM and PMS systems
- Offers comprehensive marketing tools
- Provides in-depth customer insights
Cons:
- May not be suitable for smaller businesses due to the pricing structure
- Requires annual billing
- No free tier or trial offered
HoteliQ serves as a robust business intelligence tool, providing hoteliers with crucial insights into their market and competitors. Its thorough approach to competitor analysis and market intelligence is what truly differentiates it.
Why I Picked hoteliQ: When it came to selecting a tool for its superior competitor analysis and market intelligence, hoteliQ was my choice. This tool brings a wealth of data on market trends, competitors' performance, and pricing strategies under one umbrella. It's a standout in providing deep insights that enable businesses to stay ahead of the competition, making it the best for this purpose.
What do you get for free?
hoteliQ does not provide a free tier. However, they do offer a free demo upon request, which allows potential users to see the capabilities of the tool before making a purchase decision.
Standout features & integrations:
hoteliQ's key features include in-depth competitor analysis, market trend monitoring, and a dedicated module for revenue management. The tool integrates with multiple property management systems and channel managers, enabling a centralized view of the business data.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive system integration capabilities
- Dedicated revenue management module
- Provides comprehensive competitor analysis and market intelligence
Cons:
- Complexity may present a learning curve for new users
- Pricing details are not transparent
- Does not offer a free tier
Hotel Link is a tool that helps hotels enhance their online presence and increase direct bookings by offering a suite of digital marketing solutions. It caters to the need of every hospitality establishment striving for improved online visibility, thus being the best option for those looking to boost their bookings.
Why I Picked Hotel Link: I selected Hotel Link because of its focus on improving its online presence and its direct impact on increasing bookings. The platform is unique in its offering because it specifically caters to the hospitality industry with solutions designed to maximize online visibility. The ability to have all these tools in one place makes it a powerful option for improving social media presence and bookings.
What do you get for free?
Hotel Link does not offer a standard free tier or free trial. However, they do provide free consultations for hotels to understand the potential benefits and returns from using their services.
Standout features & integrations:
Hotel Link provides a suite of tools, including a website builder, booking engine, channel manager, and digital marketing services. These tools are all integrated within the platform, offering a seamless experience for managing and enhancing your online presence. Important integrations include connectivity with major online travel agencies (OTAs) and property management systems (PMSs), which ensures broad online visibility and effective management.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Specialized focus on improving online presence and bookings
- Integration with major OTAs and PMSs
- Suite of tools specifically for hospitality
Cons:
- Could be expensive for small hotels or bed and breakfast establishments
- Pricing is not transparent, requires contact for a quote
- No standard free tier or trial
Actabl offers business intelligence software designed to deliver real-time insights into hotel operations. It's particularly lauded for its user-friendly interface and up-to-the-minute operational data.
Why I Picked Actabl: In my search for a tool that provides real-time operational insights via an accessible interface, Actabl emerged as the top choice. The software distinguishes itself with a dashboard that’s both intuitive and rich in immediate, actionable data. I believe Actabl is the best option for those who value immediate access to operational insights and a user-friendly experience.
What do you get for free?
Actabl offers a 14-day free trial allowing potential customers to evaluate its full range of features and functionalities before purchasing.
Standout features & integrations:
Actabl's core features include real-time operational analytics, interactive dashboards, and an intuitive user interface. The tool provides integrations with many popular property management systems, customer relationship management platforms, and financial software, aiding data consolidation and easy access.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Broad range of system integrations
- Intuitive user interface
- Real-time operational insights
Cons:
- Some users might require time to adapt to the real-time data flow
- Annual billing might deter some potential users
- No free tier, only a free trial
STR Global provides comprehensive global hotel data benchmarking, hotel analytics, and marketplace insights for the hotel industry. By comparing their performance metrics against industry standards, hotels can gauge their position and develop strategies to improve. Given its vast database and in-depth analysis, STR Global stands out as the best tool for benchmarking performance against the global hotel industry.
Why I Picked STR Global: I picked STR Global for its extensive and detailed benchmarking capabilities, which are critical for hotels that want to understand their standing in the global market. Its unique and robust dataset allows for a direct comparison with the global hotel industry, making it the superior tool for this specific use case.
What do you get for free?
STR Global does not offer a free plan. However, they provide some basic industry insights and reports for free on their website. For full access to their data and benchmarking services, a paid plan is required.
Standout features & integrations:
The key features of STR Global include robust benchmarking, performance analysis, and forecasting tools, which provide a deep understanding of a hotel's standing within the global market. Although STR Global does not offer traditional software integrations, it does allow for the integration of its data into a hotel's own analytical systems.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Tailored insights and reports
- Comprehensive global hotel industry data
- Extensive benchmarking capabilities
Cons:
- May be complex for small-scale businesses
- Pricing information is not transparent
- Does not offer a free plan
Other Hotel Business Intelligence Software
Below is a list of additional hotel business intelligence software we shortlisted but did not make it to the top 10. Definitely worth checking them out.
- Oracle
Best for integrating with existing systems and scalability
- Duetto
Best for dynamic pricing strategies in hospitality
- Zoho Analytics
Good for comprehensive data analysis with a range of integrations
- Sisense
Good for complex data analytics and visualization
- QlikView
Good for combining data from multiple sources for analysis
- Infor EzRMS
Good for revenue management with advanced AI capabilities
- Yellowfin BI
Good for interactive business intelligence reporting
Selection Criteria For Hotel Business Intelligence Software
As a professional with hands-on experience in the industry, I've evaluated dozens of data analytics and business intelligence tools. In this case, I was particularly looking for a blend of core functionalities, essential features, and usability attributes that enhance data analysis and reporting. These are the criteria that matter most when picking the right tool for your business:
Core Functionality
- Data analysis: The tool should allow for in-depth exploration and interpretation of data.
- Reporting: Capability to create detailed, interactive, and visually appealing reports.
- Data integration: Should seamlessly gather data from various sources.
Key Features
- Advanced AI capabilities: AI can help predict future trends based on historical data.
- Interactive dashboards: Interactive dashboards help in manipulating data views in real time.
- Real-time analytics: This feature allows immediate live data analysis for faster decision-making.
Usability
- User-friendly interface: It is vital for these tools to have a clean, intuitive interface that users can navigate easily.
- Quick onboarding: A tool with a steep learning curve can be counterproductive. Hence one with straightforward onboarding is preferred.
- Robust customer support: It is important that the tool provider offers reliable and efficient customer support, including a rich resource library or a dedicated support team.
Most Common Questions Regarding Hotel Business Intelligence Software (FAQ's)
What are the benefits of using hotel business intelligence software?
Hotel business intelligence software offers numerous benefits to businesses in the hospitality industry. They provide in-depth insights into the hotel’s operations, allowing management to make data-driven decisions. The tools can also improve efficiency by automating data collection and analysis processes.
Furthermore, they aid in predicting future trends based on historical data, which is critical for strategic planning. Lastly, these tools can help improve customer satisfaction by providing insights into customer behavior and preferences.
How much do these tools typically cost?
The pricing for hotel business intelligence software varies greatly depending on the functionality and the scale of the business. Most tools offer tiered pricing models with more features and capabilities at higher tiers.
Can you explain the pricing models?
Most hotel business intelligence tools follow a subscription-based pricing model, typically billed monthly or annually. The cost often depends on the number of users, the amount of data processed, or the specific features included in the package.
What is the typical range of pricing?
Prices can range from as low as $20 per user per month to as high as several thousand dollars per month for enterprise-level solutions with advanced features.
Which are the cheapest and most expensive software?
As of my last research, Zoho Analytics is one of the most affordable options, with packages starting from around $20 per user per month. On the high end, tools like Sisense can cost several thousand dollars per month, depending on the specific package and needs of the business.
Are there any free tool options?
Yes, some business intelligence tools offer a free version or trial. For instance, Yellowfin BI offers a free trial, and Zoho Analytics has a free tier with limited functionality, which could be a good starting point for small businesses or those just beginning to explore business intelligence software.
Summary
Choosing the best hotel business intelligence software involves careful consideration of several factors, from core functionality and key features to usability and pricing. The tools we've discussed all have their strengths, from STR Global's industry benchmarking abilities to SiteMinder's distribution and inventory management.
To make the selection process easier, consider these key takeaways:
- Identify Your Needs: Understand what your hotel requires from a business intelligence tool. This could range from basic reporting and analytics to predictive modeling and data integration capabilities. Your selection should align with these needs.
- Consider Usability: The user experience of a software tool is crucial. Choose a tool with an intuitive interface, an easy onboarding process, and responsive customer support. Remember, the tool should make your processes simpler, not complicate them.
- Evaluate Pricing: Costs can vary significantly among different tools. Make sure to understand the pricing model and evaluate whether the tool offers value for money based on its features and capabilities. Keep in mind any additional costs, such as setup fees or minimum seat requirements.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can find a business intelligence solution that meets your needs and enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of your hotel operations.
What Do You Think?
If you think there are other hotel business intelligence software tools that deserve to be on this list, please feel free to reach out. We are always open to suggestions and eager to discover new, efficient tools to help hotel businesses excel. Your input is valuable and greatly appreciated!