The top 10 best booking systems for hotels in 2024

Tomi Ogundayo - 1 Mar, 2023

The Best Hotel Booking System: Top 10 in 2024

Picking the best hotel booking software isn’t easy. You need a property management system for your holiday lets. You need a tool that connects to your online travel agencies. And… you need a booking engine that makes online booking easier through seamless connection to your hotel booking site.

That’s why you need a hotel booking system.

A hotel booking system is an integrated platform designed to streamline the various aspects of managing a hospitality business. It comprises key components that work together to optimise operations and enhance guest service:

Property Management System (PMS): Enables the efficient management of daily operations, from guest check-ins and check-outs to housekeeping and maintenance schedules.
Channel Manager: Synchronises a hotel’s booking information across multiple online travel agencies (OTAs) and other booking channels.
Booking Engine: Integrates directly onto the hotel’s website. The booking engine allows guests to make direct reservations.
Calendar: Provides a visual layout of room occupancy, rates, and bookings. It helps hoteliers manage reservations and availability at a glance.

Together, these components make up a robust hotel booking system that not only simplifies the management of a hotel property but also enhances the overall guest experience through seamless operations, effective communication, and lessen overbooking.

Why should I invest in a hotel reservation system?

A reservation management system is important if you want to efficiently manage bookings and scale your business. If you’re running multi-property operations, it makes it easier to see your inventory. If you have staff, it makes it easier to onboard them onto your hotel operations.

From holiday lets to serviced accommodations, the ability to monitor the hotel’s performance and manage distribution channels through a single platform is an underrated tool that allows hoteliers to make informed decisions and streamline operations.

Can hotel booking software get me more online bookings?

Integrating hotel booking software with hotel search engines can significantly streamline the process of managing online bookings. This software not only facilitates direct reservations, bypassing the commissions of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), but also offers comprehensive management across hotel booking sites and multiple booking platforms.

The capability to synchronise real-time room availability ensures that potential guests see accurate information, reducing the chance of overbooking. Using this technology can expose properties to tens of thousands of potential guests, maximising their visibility and booking potential.

Is hotel booking software better than using online travel agencies?

Hotel booking software provides numerous advantages over online travel agencies (OTAs) for managing hotel reservations. A dedicated reservation system aims to help you control your operations across multiple properties for better efficiency. OTAs only promise you a booking, which often leads to overbooking.

Overbooking is the greatest challenge to your reputation. A good hotel booking software prevents overbooking with a centralised view of all your available inventory. Additionally, these systems facilitate secure online transactions, including credit card payments, simplifying the process of online booking for guests. This direct interaction enhances guest satisfaction and improves the overall efficiency of reservation management.

Can small property managers use a hotel booking software?

Absolutely. No property manager should operate without a property management system, regardless of the size of their operations.

Hotel booking software is crucial for small property managers, as it streamlines the reservation process, making it easier to manage online and direct bookings efficiently. This type of software provides essential tools to enhance organisational effectiveness and improve guest experiences, proving indispensable for managing daily operations effectively and competitively.

Can I use hotel booking software as a small hotel?

Absolutely, accommodation providers of all sizes, especially small and boutique hotels, can benefit greatly from implementing hotel booking software. Besides simplifying hotel management, using any hotel booking software helps small hotels avoid the hefty commissions typically paid to Online Travel Agencies (OTAs).

It’s a strategy that increases your number of bookings and maximises profitability by keeping more revenue in-house.

Will hotel booking software help me scale my business?

Owning a holiday property isn’t easy. You’ll need software if you want to scale. Choosing the best booking software isn’t easy. The right or wrong choice can significantly impact your operational efficiency and will either enhance guest satisfaction or hinder it. Making an informed decision relies on an understanding of crucial elements such as integration capabilities, user-friendliness, and the specific features that cater to your unique needs.

Luckily, we’ve got a few suggestions below to help you select the perfect tool for your goals.

The Cheapest & Best Money for Value: Amenitiz

Amenitiz has a number of award-winning features that help small hoteliers grow. Amenitiz allows you to manage room availability, property inventory, and collect guest payment all in one easy to use platform. Update your real-time availability in just a few clicks.

Make front desk operations easier; manage bookings on a platform easy enough for your staff to use. Their 24/7 customer service available in 10+ languages makes them a preferred choice for hotel operations. And best of all, you can manage online reservations from the comfort of your phone without the fear of overbooking.

Some key features include:

Centralised PMS, Booking Engine, Calendar and Channel Manager
Dynamic Competitor Pricing Suggestions
Tailor-made and customisable website

Siteminder

SiteMinder stands out in the hospitality industry with its robust, feature-rich platform designed to enhance hotel management and increase guest bookings. Known for its effective integration of technology, SiteMinder helps hotels expand their market presence and optimise revenue streams.

Highlights:

Connection to over 1350+ OTAs
Seamless real-time reservation updates.
Advanced guest analytics capabilities

Little Hotelier

Little Hotelier is a powerful solution tailored specifically for small accommodation providers. Its intuitive platform simplifies daily operations, helping small hotels and B&Bs manage bookings more efficiently and increase their visibility.

Highlights:

User-friendly property management system.
Direct booking engine integration.
Comprehensive customer support network.

Cloudbeds

Cloudbeds is renowned for its integrated hospitality management suite that supports hotels in enhancing their operational efficiency and expanding market reach. Their platform combines essential tools into a single, streamlined interface, designed to maximise bookings and improve guest services.

Highlights:

All-in-one reservation system.
Direct connectivity with major OTAs.
Real-time performance analytics.

Revfine

Revfine is a well-regarded online platform dedicated to offering the latest insights and strategies in the hospitality industry. Even though it is not a hotel booking engine, it provides valuable resources, including articles, tips, and tools designed to help hoteliers and travel professionals improve their operations and enhance guest satisfaction.

Highlights:

In-depth industry analysis.
Practical revenue management tips.
Comprehensive digital marketing strategies.

Room Raccoon UK

Room Raccoon UK is a dynamic hotel management software designed specifically for independent hotels and small chains. It focuses on streamlining operations, increasing direct bookings, and enhancing guest experiences with its all-in-one platform.

Highlights:

Integrated property management system.
Automated booking engine.
Tailored guest communication tools.

Hotelminder

HotelMinder is a comprehensive hotel management solution known for boosting operational efficiency and optimising revenue for small to mid-sized hotels. The platform offers a blend of technology and personalised consultancy services to enhance performance across various aspects of hotel management.

Highlights:

Customised consulting services.
Integrated channel manager.
User-friendly booking engine.

Eviivo

Eviivo is a leading booking and property management software tailored for owners of B&Bs, guest houses, and small hotels. It offers a suite of tools designed to make the online booking process smooth and manageable, helping property owners maximise occupancy and revenue.

Highlights:

Centralised booking calendar.
Instant payment processing.
Multi-channel distribution capabilities.

Guesty

Guesty is a property management platform optimised for short-term and holiday rental businesses. It streamlines operations through automation and integrates multiple functions into a single interface, enhancing the efficiency of managing listings across various channels.

Highlights:

Unified multi-calendar management.
Automated guest communication.
Robust reporting and analytics tools.

Inn Style

Inn Style is a reservation management system designed specifically for the needs of B&Bs, guest houses, and small hotels. It emphasises simplicity and flexibility, allowing property owners to manage bookings easily and efficiently.

Highlights:

Intuitive booking engine.
Real-time availability updates.
Detailed guest insights and reporting.

FAQ: What is the best hotel booking system?

Which hotel booking engine is best?

The best hotel booking system is the one that garners the most direct bookings and helps manage your hotel operations. Generally speaking, having an All-in-One online solution is the best way to organise your daily tasks. A platform that integrates a booking engine, a channel manager, a PMS, etc in only one makes your life easier.

Is it cheaper to book a hotel directly or through Booking.com?

On the traveller side, it is better to book directly from the hotel’s website. On the hotelier side, it’s a great way to avoid high commissions to OTAs such as Booking.com. For both, giving the ability to book from the website saves time and money. To achieve this, you need a booking engine integrated into the website, which is easy to use and guarantees the customer a good buying experience.

What are the different types of booking systems?

There are several Hotel reservation systems available for your hotel or touristic accommodation, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common types of booking systems include:

Direct Booking System: This is a booking system that is managed by your hotel directly. This can be done via phone, email, or through your hotel’s website. This system allows you to have complete control over the booking process and customer data.
Online Travel Agency (OTA) System: OTAs such as Booking.com and Expedia offer an online platform for customers to book hotel rooms. This system offers a wider reach to potential customers and can help to increase your hotel’s visibility.
Global Distribution System (GDS): GDS is a platform used by travel agents to book flights, hotels, and car rentals. This system can help you to reach a wider audience of travel agents.

It’s important to choose the best system for your hotel’s needs and budget. Remember to evaluate the cost, ease of use, and potential impact on your hotel’s revenue and customer satisfaction. Obviously, to have a converting website, you need a booking engine, integrated into your website, that allows your clients to book easily and quickly.

How do I integrate hotel booking engine software on my website?

Integrating a hotel booking engine into your website is a strategic move that can significantly enhance your direct bookings and overall guest experience. We at Amenitiz understand the unique needs of hoteliers and offer a seamless, easy-to-use booking engine solution that aligns perfectly with your property’s requirements. Discover first-hand the difference Amenitiz can make, helping you take control of your bookings with efficiency and styl