Amadeus – iHotelier® Booking Engine vs. Booking Engine by HotelRunner:
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The Decision

Choosing a booking engine for your hotel involves balancing features, support, ease of use, and cost. Both Amadeus’ iHotelier® Booking Engine and HotelRunner’s Booking Engine aim to improve direct bookings and simplify management, but they diverge sharply in support, integrations, and recent user feedback.

Amadeus has a longer history and a broader global presence, especially in mature markets, but recent reviews reveal a decline in customer support and fewer updates. HotelRunner, on the other hand, boasts more recent positive reviews, especially around support and ease of use, making it a compelling choice for hotels prioritizing operational simplicity and support.

Quick Verdict

HotelRunner outperforms Amadeus in recent reviews, support, ease of use, and user satisfaction, with 4 recent reviews versus none for Amadeus in the last six months. If recent, supportive customer service and straightforward operation matter most, HotelRunner is the better option.

However, Amadeus’s extensive integrations and broader market reach might appeal if your hotel relies on complex systems or operates in regions where Amadeus is dominant. The decision ultimately hinges on your hotel’s priority: support and usability or integration depth and global presence.

Is Amadeus or HotelRunner Better for Hotels?

Both products aim to maximize direct bookings and streamline operations but approach these goals differently. Amadeus’s iHotelier® offers a comprehensive, integrated platform built on years of industry experience, focusing heavily on advanced pricing, revenue management, and market intelligence. Conversely, HotelRunner emphasizes simplicity, rapid onboarding, and strong channel management, making daily management easier for hoteliers.

Recently, HotelRunner’s reviews highlight its user-friendly interface and support, receiving near-perfect ratings for ease of use (4.73/5) and customer support (4.8/5), with 4 new reviews in the last six months. Amadeus, meanwhile, maintains a solid overall rating (4.39/5) but has zero recent reviews, and support is rated much lower (3.22/5).

This contrast raises a key question: do you want a trusted, established platform with complex features or a modern, support-focused solution?

Amadeus vs HotelRunner: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs robust integrations, especially with global OTAs, and extensive features like loyalty programs, urgency messaging, or Apple Pay, Amadeus is the better fit. Its large partner network (104 verified partners) and feature set—like loyalty program integration, urgency messaging, and Apple Pay—are advantageous for hotels seeking advanced marketing and operational tools.

On the other hand, if your hotel prioritizes ease of setup, quick onboarding, and responsive support, HotelRunner is the clear winner. Its high customer support rating (4.8/5), simple interface, and recent positive reviews suggest a smoother operational experience, especially for smaller or mid-sized properties.

For boutique hotels or properties seeking straightforward management with strong support, HotelRunner wins. For large, multi-property brands requiring extensive integrations and market tools, Amadeus remains relevant but may require patience with support issues.

Is Amadeus or HotelRunner Easier to Use?

HotelRunner’s ease of use is highlighted in reviews, boasting a 4.73/5 rating and positive comments about its user-friendly interface and quick onboarding process. Users appreciate the straightforward setup and minimal training required to start managing properties effectively. Many mention that ongoing support and training are top-notch, with prompt responses via WhatsApp and other channels.

Amadeus’s platform, rated 4.25/5 for ease of use, receives mixed reviews. Some find it complicated to understand initially, though it becomes manageable with daily use and support. Its complex features can be a barrier for new users or smaller teams.

Edge: HotelRunner.

Which Has Better Features: Amadeus or HotelRunner?

Amadeus offers 33 shared features plus 3 exclusive features—urgency messaging, loyalty integration, and Apple Pay—targeted at enterprise-level hotels seeking sophisticated marketing and payment options. These features support advanced revenue strategies and customer engagement.

HotelRunner provides 33 shared features plus 7 unique ones, including pooled inventory, gift vouchers, social media integration, room substitutions, custom exit modals, meal plans, and Stripe payments. These cater well to hotels seeking customizable, flexible management solutions without complex infrastructure.

While both have strong feature sets, Amadeus’s advanced marketing features appeal to larger hotels, whereas HotelRunner’s high customization and social integrations are better for smaller or mid-sized properties.

Edge: HotelRunner.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Amadeus or HotelRunner?

Recent reviews clearly favor HotelRunner’s customer support, with a 4.8/5 rating, citing responsive, prompt assistance via multiple channels, including WhatsApp. Users praise the ongoing support and training, often mentioning fast responses and problem resolution.

Amadeus’s support, rated only 3.22/5, is criticized for slow responses, inconsistent service, and difficulty resolving issues. Several reviews mention frustration with customer service delays, impacting operational efficiency.

Edge: HotelRunner.

Which Has More Integrations: Amadeus or HotelRunner?

Amadeus boasts a significantly larger partner network with 104 verified integrations, including major systems like Oracle Hospitality, protel, and Expedia. Its extensive integration options support complex, multi-system management for large properties or chains.

HotelRunner has 17 verified partners, including prominent OTAs like Airbnb, Agoda, and Stripe. Its integrations are fewer but cover essential channels and payment options, making it suitable for properties looking for streamlined connectivity.

Amadeus’s wider selection offers more flexibility for complex operations, but HotelRunner’s targeted integrations might suffice for smaller hotels.

Edge: Amadeus.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Amadeus or HotelRunner?

HotelRunner’s reviews are more recent and highly positive, with a 4.5/5 overall rating and a 96% likelihood to recommend, especially among boutique and budget hotels. Property-specific scores are high, with boutique hotels rating it 5/5 and a general positive trend in recent feedback.

Amadeus’s overall rating is 4.39/5, but with zero recent reviews, its latest customer sentiment is less clear. Smaller properties and independent hotels tend to rate Amadeus lower (around 4.36/5), while larger or branded hotels give slightly higher scores.

Given the recency and volume of reviews, HotelRunner’s ratings reflect current user satisfaction better.

Edge: HotelRunner.

How Much Do Amadeus and HotelRunner Cost?

Amadeus does not publicly list its pricing, suggesting a custom quote based on hotel size and needs—likely making it more expensive and geared toward larger operations.

HotelRunner charges a straightforward monthly fee of $100, with no implementation fees or free tiers, making it accessible for small to mid-sized hotels seeking predictable costs.

Cost differences favor HotelRunner for properties with tighter budgets or those seeking transparency, but larger properties might find Amadeus’s custom pricing justified by its extensive features.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Amadeus?

• Hotels that need comprehensive integrations with global OTAs, property management systems, and revenue management tools.
• Large property groups or chains seeking centralized control and extensive market intelligence.
• Hotels that require advanced marketing features like loyalty programs, urgency messaging, and multi-channel promotions.
• Properties operating across multiple regions, especially in Europe, North America, or Asia Pacific, where Amadeus has a strong presence.

Not ideal if your team prefers straightforward, quick-to-implement solutions or if customer support quality is a priority, given recent feedback.

What Type of Hotel Should Use HotelRunner?

• Boutique hotels, small chains, or vacation rentals seeking an intuitive, easy-to-manage platform.
• Hotels that prioritize excellent support and rapid onboarding.
• Properties looking for customizable features like gift vouchers, social media booking, or meal plans.
• Hotels that want to manage rates, availability, and promotions from one interface with minimal complexity.

Not ideal if your hotel requires heavy-market intelligence, complex integrations, or enterprise-level features that go beyond basic operational needs.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Amadeus’ iHotelier® Booking Engine is a feature-rich, highly integrated platform suited for large, complex hotels or chains that need extensive systems connectivity and advanced marketing tools. Its broad global presence and partnership network make it a good fit for hotels operating in multiple regions with sophisticated demands.

HotelRunner excels in simplicity, support, and customization, making it ideal for boutique, independent, or mid-sized hotels that want quick setup, dedicated support, and flexible features. Its recent reviews and high satisfaction scores reflect a hotelier-friendly approach that can improve daily operations.

If your hotel values recent customer feedback, ease of use, and support, HotelRunner is the clear choice. If your hotel requires advanced integrations, market intelligence, and extensive feature sets, Amadeus remains relevant but may require patience with support issues.

In summary, for most small to mid-sized hotels emphasizing support and ease of management, HotelRunner stands out. For larger hotels or chains needing complex integrations and advanced revenue tools, Amadeus might still be the better choice, provided you’re prepared to navigate its complexity and support challenges.