January 24, 2025
by Devyani Mehta / January 24, 2025
Managing hotel operations is no small feat—coordinating bookings, guest requests, staff schedules, and last-minute changes can leave even the most experienced hotel managers feeling overwhelmed.
While I don’t have direct hands-on experience with hotel management, as a technical writer, I’ve tested the best hotel management tools and spoken with hotel managers who shared their challenges.
This combination of testing the tools and gaining insight from industry professionals allowed me to truly understand what works—and what doesn't—in hotel management.
After countless hours of research, I tested 10 of the best hotel management software options. I analyzed their features and usability and reviewed feedback from G2 users to identify 7 tools that truly stand out.
In this article, I’ll share my findings, breaking down the features, usability, and real-world user experiences so you can find the right tool to optimize your hotel’s efficiency.
* According to G2 Grid Reports, these best hotel management software products are top-rated in their category. Pricing for these products is available upon request, except for those I’ve already included the details.
Hotel management software is a set of tools designed to simplify and improve hotel operations. During my research and testing of these tools, I found they help manage tasks like reservations, billing, and housekeeping, all aimed at enhancing efficiency and guest satisfaction.
While exploring the best hotel management software, I realized that handling bookings and guest services manually often leads to mistakes. Issues like double bookings or missing guest preferences can cause stress and negatively impact the guest experience.
These software solutions work by centralizing reservations, automating check-ins and check-outs, and offering insights into guest preferences and behaviors. From my experience testing them, I can see how they help hotel managers reduce errors, improve service, and focus on providing the best experience for their guests.
I spent months researching various hotel management software—exploring their features, reading user reviews, and assessing how well they handle tasks like reservations, guest management, and operational processes. In addition to my research, I spoke with 10+ hotel managers, gaining valuable insights into their real-world experiences with these tools.
I also used artificial intelligence to analyze user reviews on G2 that offered perspectives from professionals with diverse needs and requirements. These conversations and reviews provided a deeper understanding of each software’s strengths and weaknesses, offering a clear view of their ease of use, customer support quality, and limitations.
When evaluating hotel management software, there are several key features I prioritize to ensure it meets the needs of both hotel operations and guest experience:
These features work together to help hotels run efficiently, improve guest satisfaction, and ultimately contribute to a more successful business operation.
The list below contains genuine user reviews from our hotel management software category page. To be included in this category, software must:
This data has been pulled from G2 in 2025. Some reviews have been edited for clarity.
After testing SkyTouch Technology, I found that it has a very intuitive user interface and is easy to navigate, which makes it simple for restaurant managers to train staff and get started quickly.
The centralized dashboard is great for overseeing operations in real time. A particularly useful tool is the Fast Edit feature, which allows for quick adjustments to guest reservations within the group block, whether changing room assignments or handling special requests.
The mobile app adds even more convenience. It allows managers to monitor performance and resolve issues remotely, ideal for owners who are frequently on the move.
Another standout feature is the integrated reporting and analytics tools. These tools helped me gain deep insights into sales, occupancy, and customer trends. For a hotelier, these metrics are vital for identifying opportunities for improvement.
The initial setup process was somewhat cumbersome, particularly when I tried migrating data from an existing system. The need to manually input a significant amount of information made the process overwhelming, which could be challenging for businesses seeking a more simplified onboarding experience.
Limited information was available about prepaid reservations. I was unsure about key details like the mode of payment or booking date. If an issue arises, this lack of information can leave the manager blindsided and unable to address the problem effectively.
“Skytouch Technology delivers an intuitive interface and effortless navigation, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable user experience. Whether you're a tech expert or new to technology, Skytouch is designed for easy use and accessibility. Say goodbye to complex systems and embrace a platform that prioritizes your needs. With Skytouch Technology, you can easily explore its features and functionalities, allowing you to focus on what matters most.
Its smooth integration into our property systems was straightforward, and the intuitive design enabled our team to adapt quickly without disruption. This seamless integration enhanced our property management efficiency, streamlining operations while improving service quality. With Skytouch Technology, managing our property has never been easier, allowing us to dedicate more time to delivering exceptional guest experiences.”
- SkyTouch Technology Review, Cassandra M.
“There are frequent glitches that result in errors, preventing progress. In many cases, you’re forced to back out and start over, which disrupts the workflow and creates frustration.”
- SkyTouch Technology Review, Darren J.
Manage orders and track inventory with the best catering software.
I tested Oracle Hospitality OPERA Property Management System and loved its comprehensive guest management functionality, which provides detailed customer profiles.
Combined with the in-built reservation management tools, it ensured seamless handling of individual and group bookings. The system’s adaptability to the unique needs of different properties helped me create customized bookings quickly.
Its integration with other Oracle services, such as financial and accounting tools, helped me align data across departments, reduce errors, and improve data accuracy.
However, I faced occasional performance lags, particularly during high-volume data entry when using these integrations. Ideally, I would have preferred a more seamless experience to save time, as this is a feature most hoteliers would rely on daily.
The learning curve for OPERA was steep. While the system is feature-rich, it took me some time to fully grasp its full range of capabilities, and certain interfaces felt outdated and less user-friendly. The complexity can also make training staff more time-consuming than expected.
“The software is easy to use, helps you learn quickly, and keeps you organized. Generating reports is simple, and it offers opportunities for growth as you get more familiar with it.”
- Oracle Hospitality OPERA Property Management System Review, Ersagun.
“The software can be difficult for those unfamiliar with Property Management Systems (PMS) due to its complexity. Its high cost may be a problem for smaller hotels. Customization options are limited, which can challenge properties with unique needs. Some users have reported slow customer support and issues with integrating other systems. Additionally, the software may not work well for larger properties with many rooms and guests.”
- Oracle Hospitality OPERA Property Management System Review, Ajit M.
Testing Cloudbeds was a generally positive experience. The platform has a modern feel and is very easy to navigate, which made it easy for me to manage reservations, guest profiles, and room availability, all from a single interface. This one-stop-shop approach provides a real-time solution for hotel management.
Cloudbeds’ extensive library of courses was particularly helpful, allowing me to get up to speed quickly. Within a few hours, I could navigate the system, make reservations, and generate reports.
The booking engine stands out for its efficiency. It seamlessly integrates various OTAs such as Booking.com, Expedia, and Airbnb, ensuring room availability remains consistent across channels. I also appreciated the Cloudbeds Amplify Program, which helps boost bookings.
However, occasional glitches with syncing information between the property management system (PMS) and third-party integrations can cause rate inconsistencies.
Certain features—like advanced reporting and analytics—could also be more customizable to meet the specific needs of individual businesses.
Lastly, the system can occasionally be slow when updating reservations or modifying guest information in bulk. The lag can be frustrating, particularly during peak check-in and check-out times when efficiency is critical.
“The calendar and channel management features are excellent, allowing you to manage everything in one place. It also offers a great database of guests and their history. The software is easy to use, and I rely on it every day.”
- Cloudbeds Review, Brian F.
“The emails sent to guests from the Cloudbeds system are often delayed, resulting in customers not receiving them on time.”
- Cloudbeds Review, Sherline C.
Transform your guest services with the best concierge software.
I was particularly impressed by WebRezPro’s customizable reports on sales, inventory, and employee performance. I especially appreciated the ability to generate specific reports based on time periods, employee activity, or product categories.
The system's core strength is its point-of-sale (POS) functionality. The checkout process is fast and intuitive, minimizing register delays. It also allows quick order entry, integrates seamlessly with inventory tracking, and supports split payments.
The system's real-time data synchronization across devices worked exceptionally well and ensured that information was always up-to-date and accessible from anywhere—whether in the kitchen, front of house, or management desk.
However, I found that the user interface could use refinement, especially when managing multiple tasks simultaneously. The dashboard often feels cluttered, which makes it challenging to navigate efficiently when juggling various functions such as reservations, sales, and inventory.
While simplicity has advantages, I believe the system would benefit from more customizable features for the online booking engine and built-in pricing management options.
I also noticed that the housekeeping menu lacks flexibility for room assignments. As someone testing the tool, I can see how this could be a challenge for hotels that don't operate by zones or need to adjust room assignments daily. This limitation makes the feature less practical for their operations.
“It's easy to use, allows simple modification of meeting durations, and integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar. The service is plug-and-play, with no implementation issues.”
- WebRezPro Review, Jesse S.
“WebRezPro is an excellent cloud-based solution, offering a comprehensive PMS that covers reservations management, online booking, housekeeping, front desk operations, and reporting. I particularly appreciate its integration with Salesforce. Customer support is consistently fast and reliable. It's great to know they have a dedicated team continually working on the product, with regular updates and improvements being released.”
- WebRezPro Review, Dan B.
I recently tested HotelRunner, and one of the most impressive features was its real-time channel management, which ensures seamless synchronization of bookings across OTAs and direct channels.
The guest communication automation allowed me to personalize pre-arrival, in-stay, and post-departure messages. This keeps the guests informed and helps hotels enhance the overall customer experience.
HotelRunner also offers the convenience of managing room and restaurant bookings under the same system. This allowed me to oversee all operations through a single platform, which was incredibly efficient.
However, I did encounter a downside in the form of limited integration with third-party tools. For example, the lack of seamless integration with specific POS systems made managing restaurant orders and payment integrations directly through the platform difficult and disrupted operational flow.
Additionally, HotelRunner’s reporting capabilities could benefit from more customization options. Some of the pre-set reports didn’t fully align with what I had in mind for operational needs. The dashboards could also be more intuitive and offer quicker insights without requiring navigation through too many settings.
“I love that HotelRunner works with many partners, providing great insights into the daily operations of properties. It helps management stay on top of things.”
- HotelRunner Review, Rebecca F.
“HotelRunner falls short when it comes to displaying reservations. It’s frustrating when guests claim to have made a reservation that doesn’t appear on the website.”
- HotelRunner Review, James C.
Improve communication and enhance guest satisfaction with the best guest messaging software.
RMS has a robust set of features tailored for hotel bookings. The visual layout for managing reservations was intuitive, allowing me to see room availability at a glance and optimize occupancy to reduce guest wait times while maximizing revenue.
Integrating with the PMS was a major advantage for me. It established a smooth connection between front desk operations, reservations, and billing—essential for keeping everything running efficiently in a fast-paced hotel environment.
The inventory management feature made my life easier by tracking room amenities and supplies in real time, automatically updating stock levels after each booking or guest check-out. This helped me avoid shortages or overordering and simplified managing suppliers and purchase orders.
The customer feedback system automatically sent post-stay surveys, which I found valuable for gathering insights. However, the response rate was lower than I’d hoped. I think more customizable feedback templates would help collect detailed responses and cater to a wider range of guests.
I found the reporting tools somewhat limiting. While they provided useful data, I often had to manually analyze trends or forecast metrics, which made it harder to make quick, informed decisions—especially when planning for peak seasons or evaluating performance.
The employee scheduling tool was handy for creating and adjusting shifts on the fly, but I noticed it wasn’t as flexible for managing complex staffing patterns. I’d like to see more customization options to better handle diverse scheduling needs, particularly during high-demand periods with frequent changes.
“The most amazing thing about RMS Hotels is that it brings together many service providers in one place. Its interface is easy to understand, and it offers a variety of hotel reservation features, including support for multiple payment methods.”
- RMS Review, Shubham K.
“Making multiple reservations is challenging because deposits must be applied individually after charging the account for all of them. We also faced issues with online reservations, where the system would double-book and reserve unavailable golf carts, forcing us to close online bookings temporarily.”
- RMS Review, Elizabeth H.
RoomRaccoon’s automation features are one of the platform's strongest points. I particularly appreciated the automated upsell offers sent to guests before their arrival, which allowed hotels to generate additional revenue with minimal effort.
I found that the booking engine was intuitive and seamlessly integrated with the hotel’s website, which helped increase direct bookings and reduce reliance on third-party platforms.
The PMS was easy for me to use and helped me handle daily operations. For example, thanks to it, I could set up easy check-in and check-out processes. This could help hotels establish reduced wait times for guests and enhance overall guest satisfaction.
RoomRaccoon used artificial intelligence-driven pricing to dynamically optimize hotel room rates based on market demand, competition, and other factors. I was able to use it to adjust rates in real time, which could help hotels maximize revenue and stay competitive.
However, while RoomRaccoon is packed with features, I found it could feel overwhelming, especially for new users. I needed to search for certain tools, and it wasn’t always clear where to go for specific tasks, which slowed down my workflow.
Additionally, RoomRaccoon’s integrations sometimes required me to do manual configuration, which could be cumbersome. While I appreciated the platform’s depth, I think more seamless third-party integrations would enhance its efficiency.
Another downside was that the reporting features, while comprehensive, could be difficult to customize. I had to spend extra time tweaking settings to get the exact data I needed, which felt a bit inefficient.
“As a fairly new user of this software, I can say that what I like best so far is how easy the entire setup process was. There were a few minor hiccups, but it mostly involved tweaking things to fit our specific business needs. Their customer support resolved the issues quickly and efficiently, providing one of the best customer service experiences I've ever had.”
- RoomRaccoon Review, Cliff M.
“A potential improvement could be expanding integrations with third-party services. A wider range of integrations would increase the platform's versatility for users who rely on specific tools or software. Additionally, more flexible pricing options, especially for smaller establishments, could make the platform more accessible to a broader range of businesses.”
- RoomRaccoon Review, Daniel Z.
The Opera Property Management System (PMS) is widely used in 5-star hotels. It is a leading software solution that effectively streamlines hotel operations.
Q. Which is the best free hotel management software?
One of the best free hotel management software options is HotelBee. To find the best, explore more free hotel management software on G2
The best hotel management software can benefit a variety of properties, from small boutique hotels and B&Bs to large luxury resorts and hotel chains. These systems can be customized to meet the unique needs of any hotel.
The best PMS for restaurants depends on the size and type of the establishment. RoomRaccoon and WebRezPro are recommended for their robust features, including advanced reporting, employee management, and seamless online ordering integration.
When choosing a property management system for a restaurant, consider its functionality, ease of use, and integration capabilities with existing systems. Ensure it can scale with the hotel’s growth and offer customization options to meet specific needs.
Using the right hotel management tools can transform how you run your property.
After testing and exploring different options, it's clear that the best hotel management tools combine ease of use, robust features, and seamless integration with your existing systems.
By carefully selecting the right tools for your property’s unique needs, you’ll be able to maximize productivity, reduce manual tasks, and ultimately deliver exceptional service to your guests.
So, evaluate your options and invest in the tools to make your hotel operations smoother, smarter, and more successful.
Ready to take your hotel operations to the next level? Discover how hotel revenue management systems (RMS) can help.
Devyani Mehta is a content marketing specialist at G2. She has worked with several SaaS startups in India, which has helped her gain diverse industry experience. At G2, she shares her insights on complex cybersecurity concepts like web application firewalls, RASP, and SSPM. Outside work, she enjoys traveling, cafe hopping, and volunteering in the education sector. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
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