20 Hotel Guest Apps To Transform Your Guest Experience In 2024
10 Best Hotel Guest Apps Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
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In today's digital age, every hotelier knows the importance of providing their guests with an easy and convenient experience right from their mobile devices. As a professional in the hospitality industry, I know that mobile apps that offer contactless services, push notifications, and even mobile key functionalities have become an integral part of the customer experience.
With these apps, guests can seamlessly make direct bookings, check into their hotel rooms, and manage their stay without even needing to go to the front desk. As someone who has explored a multitude of such apps, I've curated a list that I believe could be the right fit for both large hotel groups and boutique establishments seeking to elevate their guest experience.
What Is a Hotel Guest App?
Hotel guest apps are innovative software solutions, designed to heighten the hotel experience for the contemporary traveler. Utilized by hoteliers and guests alike, these apps streamline the process of hotel management and guest service and provide a platform for instant communication and service delivery.
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From reservation and check-in to personalized room service, digital concierge services, and smart room control, guest apps cover an impressive range of functionalities. They also provide added benefits such as sending out SMS reminders, integrating with social media platforms, and streamlining the hotel's workflow.
They offer a means for hotel businesses to increase operational efficiency, whilst granting guests unparalleled control over their stay, thereby revolutionizing the traditional hospitality landscape.
Best Hotel Guest Apps Summary
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Canary Technologies | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Operto | No details | Website |
| Criton | From $100/month per hotel | Website |
| GuestU | From $5/user/month | Website |
| Hotel Friend | From $5/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Akia | From $50/user/month | Website |
| Intelity | From $15/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Stay | From $5/user/month | Website |
| Nonius | From $200/month | Website |
| GuestBell | From $10/user/month | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareBest Hotel Guest Apps Reviews
Canary Technologies is a hospitality management platform designed to improve guest experiences for hotels, vacation rentals, and other lodging types.
Why I Picked Canary Technologies: I like Canary's contactless check-in, which allows guests to securely check in via their mobile devices. This not only speeds up the check-in process but also aligns with modern guests' expectations for convenience and safety. The platform also offers a dynamic upsell feature, enabling you to offer personalized room upgrades and packages throughout the guest's stay.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Other features include guest messaging, which enables real-time communication between guests and hotel staff to promptly address concerns or requests. It also has digital tipping, which provides an option for guests to tip hotel staff directly through their mobile devices, offering convenience and potentially increasing gratuities. Integrations include Amadeus, Maestro, Skytouch, Choice Advantage, HiRUM, Shift4 Payments, IQware, Oracle Hospitality, InnQuest, RoomKey, innRoad, Booking.com, Cloudbeds, BookingCenter, and Alice.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Contactless check-in enhances guest convenience
- Dynamic, personalized upsells to increase additional revenue
- Digital tipping options on mobile
Cons:
- Occasional technical glitches
- Potential integration challenges with certain property management systems
Operto is a hotel management software that focuses on providing smart connectivity and automated guest entry solutions. Its commitment to simplifying guest entry and enhancing connectivity makes it ideal for hotels that value these aspects of their operations.
Why I Picked Operto: I selected Operto due to its strong focus on smart connectivity and automating guest entry. It's distinct from many others in the market with its focus on the smart integration of hotel management. The emphasis on streamlining guest entry through automation makes it a perfect fit for the unique selling proposition I chose.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Operto’s key features include automated keyless entry, smart device management, and guest communication tools. Its integrations with other hotel management software and smart devices help in coordinating operations smoothly across different platforms.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integrates well with other hotel management software
- Facilitates automated guest entry
- Offers smart connectivity features
Cons:
- Advanced features require higher-priced plans
- Learning to use smart technology features might be challenging for some
- Could be cost-prohibitive for smaller establishments
Criton is a hospitality-focused platform that empowers hotels to design and build their unique apps encapsulating their brand identity. It emphasizes creating personalized guest experiences by offering a customizable interface and a variety of functions tailored to the specific needs of each hotel.
Why I Picked Criton: Criton was my selection for this list based on its standout feature: offering hotels the capability to construct a unique app that mirrors their brand identity. I judged its customization options as being noteworthy, allowing for a more personalized guest experience. For this reason, I deemed Criton to be the best tool for hotels looking to reflect their brand identity within a digital platform.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Criton offers a plethora of customizable features, such as mobile check-in/check-out, in-app messaging, and up-selling modules. It integrates with several leading Property Management Systems (PMS), providing a synchronized and efficient hotel management solution.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Robust integration with leading PMS platforms
- A comprehensive set of features for guest services
- Highly customizable, reflecting the hotel’s brand identity
Cons:
- The annual billing cycle could be inconvenient for some
- A high starting price point might deter smaller hotels
- Lack of a free plan may limit accessibility
GuestU is a versatile platform that empowers hotels to create a personalized guest journey from the moment of booking to check-out. This mobile concierge platform centralizes services, simplifying communication and enhancing the guest experience at every stage.
Why I Picked GuestU: I selected GuestU for its focus on personalizing the entire guest journey. In comparing tools, it was evident that GuestU provides a unique approach to creating seamless experiences from pre-arrival to check-out. I am of the opinion that GuestU is the best tool for those hotels looking to offer a personalized and complete guest journey.
Standout Features & Integrations:
GuestU boasts a range of features like a booking engine, digital concierge, room service ordering, and direct communication with staff. Integration with property management systems, point-of-sale systems, and other hotel technologies makes GuestU a valuable addition to any hotel's tech stack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Wide range of integrations with other hotel technologies
- Centralized platform for services and communication
- Personalized guest journey from pre-arrival to check-out
Cons:
- No free plan for small establishments
- May be too feature-rich for smaller hotels
- Pricing is based on annual billing
Hotel Friend offers a robust and dynamic solution for the hotel industry, aiming to improve the guest experience, especially when it comes to room service. The application enables hotel guests to order room service, request amenities, and much more, all from the comfort of their rooms.
Why I Picked Hotel Friend: My decision to select Hotel Friend came from its commitment to enhancing the room service experience. In my judgment, what sets it apart is its powerful room service functionality that allows for an efficient, comfortable, and touch-free service. For these reasons, I believe Hotel Friend stands as the best option for enriching the room service experience.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Hotel Friend boasts an impressive list of features designed to provide a better guest experience. The app offers digital room service ordering, digital concierge services, and the ability to request housekeeping or maintenance. It also integrates well with property management systems and other hotel technologies, ensuring the seamless flow of operations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides a touch-free guest service experience
- Integrates seamlessly with other hotel technologies
- Robust room service functionality
Cons:
- Lack of a free tier for smaller establishments
- Might be over-complex for smaller properties
- Pricing is based on annual billing
Akia is a hotel management software that utilizes AI chatbots to streamline and enhance guest communication. By automating this process, it provides a platform for improved efficiency and guest satisfaction, making it the best choice for enhancing guest communication with AI chatbots.
Why I Picked Akia: I selected Akia for its innovative approach to guest communication. When comparing various hotel management platforms, Akia's use of AI chatbots to interact with guests was a standout feature. This functionality makes it particularly effective for enhancing guest communication, aligning well with the unique selling point (USP) I identified.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Akia's main features include automated guest messaging, personalized communication, and a digital registration card. It integrates well with popular Property Management Systems (PMS), allowing for seamless data synchronization and efficient operations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Good integration with popular PMS platforms
- Allows for personalized, automated messaging
- Improves guest communication with AI chatbots
Cons:
- Smaller hotels may find the starting price somewhat high
- There may be a learning curve for those unfamiliar with AI technology
- More advanced features may require a higher-priced plan
Intelity is a comprehensive platform designed to facilitate hotel management and streamline service requests. Its function as a central hub allows it to integrate various hotel systems and processes, making it an effective tool for managing service requests.
Why I Picked Intelity: I chose Intelity for this list based on its core strength: integrating disparate hotel management systems and facilitating service requests. In comparing it to other tools, I found that its integration capabilities were superior, with a proven track record of enhancing operational efficiency. Therefore, I concluded that Intelity is the best tool for this specific use case.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Intelity features include mobile and in-room solutions, dining reservations, spa bookings, and more. It also integrates with popular Property Management Systems (PMS), Point of Sale (POS), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, offering a comprehensive solution for hotel management.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Robust feature set covering a wide range of hotel operations
- Comprehensive solution for managing service requests
- Provides integration with major PMS, POS, and CRM systems
Cons:
- The tool may be complex for users unfamiliar with integrated systems
- Pricing might be steep for some businesses
- Lack of a free plan may limit accessibility for smaller hotels
Stay is a comprehensive hotel guest app solution that consolidates numerous hotel operations into one user-friendly platform. From managing reservations to accessing hotel services, this app addresses the multifaceted needs of both hoteliers and guests, truly shining in its ability to unify hotel operations.
Why I Picked Stay: In my evaluation, Stay stood out due to its comprehensive suite of features designed for both hotel management and guest convenience. I chose it for its holistic approach toward hospitality operations. It not only digitizes multiple aspects of hotel operations but also neatly compiles them in one place. It's this aspect that makes Stay the best tool for unifying hotel operations.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Stay offers a wide array of features including mobile check-in, room service, hotel information, city guides, and more. One of the key features is the ability to manage reservations within the app, providing a seamless experience for guests. Integrations with major PMS, POS, door-locking systems, and other hospitality tech make it a versatile tool adaptable to any hotel's needs.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable to align with hotel branding
- Integration with major hospitality tech
- Comprehensive feature set addressing all aspects of hotel operations
Cons:
- Lack of a free version for small-scale hotels
- Costs can rise with additional integrations
- Might require training for hotel staff to leverage fully
Nonius is a comprehensive platform aimed at digitally transforming the entirety of a guest's hotel experience. From booking to check-out, and every interaction in between, Nonius provides the digital tools necessary to streamline and enhance each step, in alignment with our 'best for' statement.
Why I Picked Nonius: In my selection process, I was drawn to Nonius for its comprehensive scope of guest engagement functionalities. The ability to fully digitalize every aspect of a guest's experience distinguishes Nonius from many of its competitors. My judgment was based on its wide range of features and integrations that offer a comprehensive solution for hotels, which is why I deem it 'best for' digitalizing the entire guest experience.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Noteworthy features of Nonius include mobile check-in/check-out, personalized guest communication, and an integrated booking engine. Furthermore, it provides a seamless integration with numerous Property Management Systems (PMS), Point of Sale (POS), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, thus enriching its functionality.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Offers mobile check-in/check-out and personalized guest communication features
- Integration with various PMS, POS, and CRM systems
- Comprehensive digitalization of the guest experience
Cons:
- Advanced features could come at an additional cost
- The comprehensiveness of the tool might be overwhelming for some users
- Starting price might be on the higher side for smaller hotels
GuestBell serves as a digital concierge, aiming to maximize guest engagement and satisfaction in hotels. It facilitates a wide range of services, from booking to checkout, all designed to provide guests with a smooth and personalized experience.
Why I Picked GuestBell: Upon comparing various options, I chose GuestBell for its focus on amplifying guest engagement. It distinguishes itself with an exceptional digital concierge service that helps hotels maintain strong interaction with their guests. Consequently, I find GuestBell is the best tool when it comes to augmenting guest engagement via digital concierge services.
Standout Features & Integrations:
GuestBell features a comprehensive set of tools including digital room service ordering, a booking engine, and a platform for communicating with staff. The app's integration capabilities stand out as well, offering connections with numerous property management systems and other hotel technologies, which makes it adaptable to diverse hotel operations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive and user-friendly feature set
- Integrates with various hotel technologies
- Great for enhancing guest engagement
Cons:
- No free plan available for small hotels
- A bit complex for small properties
- Higher starting price compared to some alternatives
Other Hotel Guest Apps
Below is a list of additional legal practice management software that we shortlisted, but did not make it to the top 10. Definitely worth checking them out.
- Hotelcore
For simplifying booking and check-in processes
- Duve
For guest self-service options and instant messaging
- Altitude
For real-time communication and service delivery
- Innspire
Good for comprehensive hospitality app with API and integrations
- Iris
Good for creating a cohesive hotel app experience
- Instio
Good for enhancing the guest experience through an app
- DigitalGuest
Good for integrating multiple communication channels
- Generous
Good for efficient room service management
- Hotefy
Good for creating a personalized guest experience
- GuestService
Good for consolidating guest services in one platform
Popular Hotel Software
Here are some other lists of popular hotel software for you to check out.
Selection Criteria for Hotel Guest Apps
I've had the privilege of testing multiple hotel guest app tools, considering their varied features, uses, and user-friendliness. In this niche field, it's crucial to look for software that specifically tailors its services to the unique requirements of the hospitality sector. While I've evaluated dozens of tools, the ones that stood out most excelled in core functionality, key features, and usability.
Core Functionality
- Enabling real-time communication: The tool should facilitate instant interaction between hotel staff and guests.
- Offering self-service options: Guests should be able to handle basic tasks independently, like checking in or ordering room service.
- Managing room service efficiently: The tool should keep track of all room service requests and their statuses.
- Integrating multiple channels of communication: The tool needs to consolidate various communication modes in one platform for easy access.
Key Features
- Personalization: The app should allow for a personalized guest experience, where preferences are remembered and recommended.
- Multilingual support: As hotels cater to guests from diverse backgrounds, the app should support multiple languages.
- Automated processes: To save time and reduce errors, the tool should have functionalities that can be automated, such as check-ins and outs, billing, etc.
- API and integrations: The tool should be able to connect and share data with other software used in the hotel, like CRM or PMS.
Usability
- User-friendly interface: The tool should have a clear, intuitive interface that guests of all tech-savvy levels can navigate easily.
- Efficient onboarding: The tool should provide a quick and straightforward setup process to ensure hotels can deploy it without delay or confusion.
- Reliable customer support: Since these tools are critical for hotel operations, they should provide prompt and helpful customer support to address any issues that arise.
- Robust security features: Given the sensitive nature of the information being handled, the tool needs to have strong data protection and privacy measures in place.
People Also Ask
What are the benefits of using hotel guest apps?
Hotel guest apps offer numerous benefits, such as:
- Enhancing guest experience: These apps provide a personalized, convenient platform for guests to access services, make requests, and communicate with hotel staff.
- Streamlining operations: They automate many hotel tasks, such as check-ins and outs, billing, and room service management.
- Improving communication: Hotel staff and guests can communicate in real-time, fostering efficient problem-solving and decision-making.
- Increasing revenue: With features like personalized offers and upselling, these apps can drive additional revenue.
- Gathering insights: The apps collect valuable data that can be analyzed for customer behavior insights, helping to further refine the hotel’s services.
How much do hotel guest apps cost?
Pricing for hotel guest apps can vary widely depending on the specific features, the size of the hotel, and the level of customization required. They can range from as low as $5 per user per month to upwards of $100 per user per month.
What are the pricing models for hotel guest apps?
Hotel guest apps usually follow a subscription-based pricing model, where you pay a fixed fee per month or year. This fee often scales based on the number of users or rooms. Some providers offer tiered pricing, where different plans offer varying levels of functionality and service.
What is the typical range of pricing for hotel guest apps?
Generally, the monthly price for a hotel guest app can start from around $20 per user for basic plans and can go up to $200 or more for advanced plans with premium features.
What are the cheapest and most expensive software options for hotel guest apps?
Among the tools evaluated, Nonius starts at a lower range, from $7 per user per month. Operto, on the other hand, is at the higher end, with prices starting from $20 per unit per month.
Are there any free tool options available?
Most hotel guest apps are paid, as they offer a complex array of features and services. However, some may offer a free trial period or a limited-feature free version to let users evaluate the software before making a purchase. It’s best to check with individual providers for their current offerings.
Other Guest Communication Software
Here are some other useful tools for hotel guest communications.
What Next?
Choosing the right hotel guest app is a crucial decision that can significantly influence the guest experience and operational efficiency of your hotel.
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