Amadeus – iHotelier® Booking Engine vs. Exely Booking Engine:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right booking engine can dramatically impact your hotel's revenue, guest experience, and operational efficiency. Both Amadeus’s iHotelier® Booking Engine and Exely Booking Engine aim to improve direct bookings and streamline management, but they differ significantly in market presence, features, and user feedback. Your decision hinges on your hotel’s size, segment, and specific needs.

Amadeus is a well-established player with a broad global footprint and more extensive integrations, while Exely offers a streamlined, user-friendly experience with more recent positive reviews. Which aligns better with your hotel’s goals?

Is Amadeus or Exely Better for Hotels?

Both products address the core need to boost direct bookings and improve guest engagement. However, Amadeus’s iHotelier® is a mature platform with a long history of serving large hotel chains and complex operations, often praised for its advanced features and broad integration network. Exely, on the other hand, is newer but has gained praise for its ease of use and quick setup, making it appealing for independent hotels and smaller chains.

While Amadeus’s platform offers a rich feature set—including loyalty programs, ADA compliance, and A/B testing—its complexity can be a drawback for hotels seeking quick deployment. Conversely, Exely’s simple interface and faster onboarding have earned recent high ratings, but it currently has fewer integrations and features. Are you looking for a mature solution with extensive capabilities or a flexible solution that’s easier to implement?

Amadeus vs Exely: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel is part of a large chain or operates in multiple regions across continents, Amadeus’s extensive market presence and 104 verified integrations make it the logical choice. Its proven track record in high-end and city-center hotels, along with features like loyalty program integration and advanced analytics, are ideal if you need sophisticated tools.

If your hotel is an independent property or small chain prioritizing simplicity, fast deployment, and high user ratings, Exely is the better option. Its recent reviews highlight a 4.91/5 ease-of-use rating and a 98% likelihood to recommend, making it a strong fit for properties seeking quick results and responsive support. Which profile best describes your hotel?

Is Amadeus or Exely Easier to Use?

Ease of use is critical for staff adoption and operational efficiency. Amadeus’s platform scores 4.25/5 and has a dedicated onboarding process, but some users report that its interface can be complex and difficult to navigate, especially for less tech-savvy team members. Customer support has mixed reviews, with some expressing frustration over slow responses.

Exely, however, boasts a 4.91/5 ease-of-use rating, with recent reviews praising its intuitive dashboard and quick onboarding. Users say Exely’s interface is straightforward, making daily management and rate adjustments simple. Support responsiveness is also a highlight. Edge: Exely.

Which Has Better Features: Amadeus or Exely?

Amadeus offers 36 features, including unique ones like loyalty program integration, ADA compliance, Google Analytics tracking, and A/B testing, catering to hotels with complex revenue strategies. It also boasts advanced modules like wedding and corporate booking support.

Exely provides 29 features, focusing on core booking functions, fast channel management, and marketing tools such as automatic guest re-engagement and promotional incentives. Its features are more streamlined but lack some of Amadeus’s advanced capabilities.

Given the broader feature set in Amadeus, it edges out for hotels needing extensive functionality, especially in revenue management and guest personalization. Edge: Amadeus.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Amadeus or Exely?

Customer support can determine how smoothly your team implements and uses the platform. Amadeus’s support ratings sit at 3.22/5, with reviews citing slow responses and inconsistent assistance. Some users appreciated their dedicated account managers but noted support can lag during critical periods.

Exely scores an outstanding 4.96/5, with reviews highlighting rapid responses and proactive problem-solving. Customers consistently mention that Exely’s team is approachable and helpful, often going beyond expectations. Edge: Exely.

Which Has More Integrations: Amadeus or Exely?

Amadeus’s network includes 104 verified partners, covering a wide array of PMS, GDS, and marketing solutions, including Oracle Hospitality, Mews, and IDeaS. This allows for seamless integration across multiple hotel systems and advanced revenue strategies.

Exely’s integration count is just 8, with notable partners like Booking.com and Clock. While these cover essential channels, the limited partner ecosystem can restrict customization and automation.

If broad, proven integrations are a priority, Amadeus is the clear winner. Edge: Amadeus.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Amadeus or Exely?

Reviews in the last six months show Exely’s user base is more satisfied, with a 92.67/100 HTR Score and a 98% likelihood to recommend. Recent feedback praises its user-friendly interface and excellent support, especially from independent hotels and small chains.

Amadeus’s ratings are slightly lower overall, with a 72.20 HTR Score and an 87% likelihood to recommend. Its reviews focus on robust features but also mention complexity and support issues, with some long-term users appreciating the broad capabilities.

For current satisfaction levels, Exely holds the edge. Edge: Exely.

How Much Do Amadeus and Exely Cost?

Amadeus does not publish transparent pricing; it typically offers custom quotes based on hotel size and needs. It’s known for being premium-priced, aligning with its enterprise feature set.

Exely charges a straightforward $200/month fee, with no implementation or setup fees listed. Its transparent pricing, combined with positive ROI from increased direct bookings, makes it attractive for small to medium properties.

If cost transparency and affordability are key, Exely clearly wins.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Amadeus?

• Hotels that operate across multiple regions, especially with complex revenue management needs.
• Chains seeking an integrated platform supporting loyalty, advanced analytics, and extensive third-party connections.
• Properties that require modules for wedding, corporate, or special events bookings.
• Hotels prioritizing detailed reporting, A/B testing, and ADA compliance.

Not ideal if you prefer quick setup or have limited technical staff, as Amadeus’s platform can be complex.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Exely?

• Independent hotels or boutique properties seeking a simple, intuitive booking engine.
• Hotels prioritizing fast deployment and high staff adoption.
• Small to medium chains that want to boost direct bookings without extensive customization.
• Properties that value responsive customer support and straightforward pricing.

Not ideal if you need comprehensive integrations or advanced features like loyalty programs or extensive analytics.

Amadeus vs Exely: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Amadeus offers a comprehensive, feature-rich booking engine with broad market reach and extensive integrations, making it suited for larger hotels or chains with complex needs. Its strengths include advanced revenue tools, loyalty integrations, and support for diverse property types.

Exely excels in ease of use, rapid onboarding, and high customer satisfaction, especially among independent and smaller properties. Its affordability and responsiveness make it appealing for hotels seeking quick wins and straightforward management.

If your hotel needs a mature, scalable platform with advanced capabilities, Amadeus is the clear choice. For properties valuing simplicity, quick deployment, and high recent satisfaction, Exely is the better fit.

This detailed comparison should help you determine which booking engine aligns best with your hotel’s size, segment, and operational priorities.