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

The Decision

When choosing a booking engine, your hotel needs a solution that converts visitors into confirmed guests, integrates well with your existing systems, and provides reliable support. Amadeus' iHotelier® Booking Engine and Explore both aim to fulfill these needs, but they differ significantly in features, user feedback, and market presence. Amadeus, with its extensive reviews and mature platform, currently holds a stronger position, especially in the context of recent feedback.

Both products serve the core purpose of increasing direct bookings, but Amadeus offers a comprehensive suite with over 36 unique features, including multi-currency, loyalty integration, and A/B testing, which Explore lacks entirely. Conversely, Explore's simplicity and AI-driven insights may appeal to hotels seeking minimal complexity, but its lack of verified integrations and reviews limits confidence in its capabilities. Are you ready to dive deeper into how these options compare?

Is Amadeus or Explore Better for Hotels?

Amadeus and Explore both address hotel booking and data analysis, but their strengths diverge. Amadeus provides a feature-rich platform designed specifically for hotels aiming to maximize direct bookings and revenue through advanced tools like pre- and post-stay emails, rate comparison widgets, and multi-language support. Meanwhile, Explore is a business intelligence platform that emphasizes data analysis and strategic decision-making rather than booking functionality.

Amadeus boasts a robust presence with 93 reviews, a recent rating of 4.39/5, and strong customer satisfaction, especially among independent hotels and branded properties. In comparison, Explore has zero reviews and a 0/5 rating, which significantly weakens its credibility for hoteliers evaluating real-world performance. Given the recent and numerous reviews for Amadeus, it clearly has a more established and trusted reputation. Do you prioritize proven features and proven customer feedback?

Amadeus vs Explore: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a comprehensive booking engine that integrates seamlessly with your website, supports multi-currency and multi-lingual guests, and offers advanced marketing tools, Amadeus is your clear choice. With a high overall score driven by detailed features and numerous recent reviews, Amadeus caters well to hotels of all sizes seeking reliable direct booking performance.

If, however, your team is seeking a data analysis tool focused on strategic insights and operational optimization, and you’re willing to accept a platform with no verified integrations or reviews, Explore might seem appealing. But, given its lack of reviews and proven track record, it’s hard to recommend Explore as a primary booking solution. For hoteliers looking for proven results, Amadeus remains the safer and more effective choice.

Is Amadeus or Explore Easier to Use?

Amadeus scores 4.25/5 in ease of use, based on user reviews highlighting an intuitive interface, smooth onboarding, and responsive support. Many users appreciate the platform's clear navigation, although some mention the complexity of certain features requiring training. Its onboarding process is rated 4.01/5, reflecting a generally positive experience, but some users note that ongoing support can be inconsistent.

Explore, on the other hand, has no available ratings or reviews, making it impossible to assess its usability or implementation. Its platform is likely designed for data analysts and decision-makers comfortable with AI tools rather than staff handling day-to-day bookings. Edge: Amadeus.

Which Has Better Features: Amadeus or Explore?

Amadeus offers 36 distinct features, including mobile responsiveness, personalized pre- and post-stay emails, automated reporting, rate comparison widgets, multi-currency/multi-lingual support, loyalty program integration, and more. These tools directly impact your booking conversion rates and revenue management.

Explore provides no specific features tailored to hotel booking or revenue enhancement, focusing instead on data summaries and insights. Its value lies in analysis, not in direct booking functionalities. Given the number and depth of features, Amadeus clearly leads. Edge: Amadeus.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Amadeus or Explore?

Customer support ratings favor Amadeus, which scores 3.22/5, with some reviews praising dedicated account management but many citing slow responses and inconsistent service. Hoteliers appreciate the attentive support when it works, yet others highlight delays that hinder operational efficiency.

Explore's support quality remains unverified due to the absence of reviews or ratings, making it uncertain how responsive or helpful it would be in practice. For hotels relying on reliable support, Amadeus's established support network, despite its flaws, is preferable. Edge: Amadeus.

Which Has More Integrations: Amadeus or Explore?

Amadeus boasts 104 verified integration partners, including major PMS, GDS, and marketing platforms like Priority Software, Orange Hotel Marketing, and RevControl. These integrations facilitate a smooth hotel operation and maximize your booking engine’s potential.

Explore has no verified integrations listed, raising concerns about compatibility with existing hotel management or marketing systems. Without proven integrations, it’s unlikely to support complex hotel workflows. For a system that fits into your broader tech stack, Amadeus clearly leads. Edge: Amadeus.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Amadeus or Explore?

Amadeus’s reviews, totaling 93, predominantly feature recent feedback, with an overall rating of 4.39/5. Hoteliers from various segments—independent, branded, boutique—commend its functionality, revenue impact, and ease of onboarding. The most recent reviews continue to reinforce its strong performance, especially in revenue growth and user experience.

Explore has no reviews or ratings, making it impossible to gauge user satisfaction or performance. Without user feedback, the existing data heavily favors Amadeus. Edge: Amadeus.

How Much Do Amadeus and Explore Cost?

Amadeus does not publicly share its pricing model; it typically offers customized quotes based on hotel size and needs, but no trial or freemium options are available. Its pricing reflects its enterprise-level features and support.

Explore also lacks publicly available pricing or trial information. Its absence of transparency makes it difficult to compare costs directly. Generally, Amadeus’s pricing aligns with larger hotel chains or properties seeking extensive features. If budget is a concern, you’ll need to request quotes from both providers.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Amadeus?

• Hotels that want a proven, full-featured booking engine integrated with marketing and revenue tools.
• Properties aiming to increase direct bookings through multi-channel marketing, loyalty programs, and rate management.
• Hotels seeking a solution with extensive integrations and regional support.
• Teams that prioritize real-time analytics and advanced reporting capabilities.
• Not ideal if your hotel is very small with minimal online presence or if you prefer a simple, DIY booking system.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Explore?

• Hotels that prioritize data analysis and strategic decision-making over direct booking features.
• Small hotels or boutique properties with in-house analytics teams comfortable with AI tools.
• Hotels seeking a minimal, no-cost solution for insights rather than managing bookings directly.
• Teams that want a quick overview of performance metrics without complex setup.
• Not ideal if your primary focus is driving direct bookings or integrating with extensive hotel management systems.

The Bottom Line for Hotels: Which Is the Clear Winner?

Amadeus, with its broad feature set, verified customer reviews, and extensive integrations, currently outperforms Explore in every tangible aspect. It’s a mature, trusted platform that consistently impresses users with its revenue-driving tools and support network, making it suitable for most mid-to-large hotels.

Explore’s value proposition lies in its AI-driven insights, but the lack of reviews and integrations makes it less reliable for hotels seeking a comprehensive booking solution. Its focus on data analysis may suit niche operations or early-stage hotels without complex booking needs.

In conclusion, for hoteliers seeking a proven, feature-rich booking engine with recent high ratings and a large user base, Amadeus remains the better choice. If your priority is strategic insights over direct bookings, Explore might be worth exploring further, but it currently lacks the market presence to challenge Amadeus’s leadership.