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

The Decision

When choosing a booking engine, your hotel needs a solution that boosts direct bookings, offers smooth user experiences, and fits your operational demands. Amadeus’s iHotelier® Booking Engine provides a well-established platform with extensive integrations and a significant market presence, but openROOM has rapidly gained attention for its recent reviews and high conversion focus. Which product better aligns with your hotel’s specific goals and current needs?

Is Amadeus or openROOM Better for Hotels?

Both Amadeus and openROOM aim to increase your direct booking volume but approach this goal differently. Amadeus’s iHotelier® leverages its deep industry experience, offering features like advanced pricing tools, market intelligence, and a comprehensive suite of integrations, making it suitable for larger or more complex properties. openROOM, on the other hand, focuses on delivering a high-conversion, simplified booking process, ideal for small to mid-sized hotels prioritizing user experience and rapid results.

The key contrast lies in their market presence and support infrastructure. Amadeus has been around since 1987, operating in over 34 countries with a vast partner network, while openROOM, founded in 2007, is newer and has a more limited geographic reach but boasts high recent review scores and a dedicated focus on conversion optimization. Which of these strengths aligns better with your hotel’s strategic priorities?

Amadeus vs openROOM: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a robust, feature-rich platform with extensive integrations, a proven track record, and market intelligence tools, go with Amadeus. Its suite of 22 shared features plus 14 exclusive ones, such as urgency messaging and advanced payment options, supports complex revenue management and multi-channel distribution. Its large global presence also ensures ongoing support and innovation.

If your hotel emphasizes simplicity, high conversion rates, and a seamless user experience without the need for extensive third-party integrations, openROOM is the better fit. Its primary advantage is a high review score (4.78/5 for ease of use, 4.89/5 for support), and it specializes in maximizing direct bookings through an intuitive booking process, especially for independent hotels or chains with smaller budgets.

The decision hinges on whether you prioritize a feature-rich, globally supported platform (Amadeus) or a highly optimized, user-centric solution (openROOM).

Is Amadeus or openROOM Easier to Use?

Based on recent reviews, openROOM scores higher on ease of use with a 4.78/5 rating compared to Amadeus’s 4.25/5. Users praise openROOM for its straightforward interface, fluid communication, and simple implementation process, which results in faster staff adoption and fewer training hurdles.

Amadeus’s platform, while comprehensive, is described as somewhat complicated initially, requiring more time for staff to learn its full capabilities. Its onboarding is rated 4.01/5, reflecting some learning curve and complexity in navigating its extensive features.

Edge: openROOM.

Which Has Better Features: Amadeus or openROOM?

Amadeus’s iHotelier® Booking Engine offers 22 shared features with openROOM plus 14 unique ones, including urgent messaging, booking abandonment recapture, ADA and PCI compliance, and multiple payment options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Paypal. It also supports advanced website integration and testing tools that help optimize conversion.

openROOM’s standout features include Facebook conversion tracking, meal plans, and gift vouchers, which cater to specific marketing and upselling strategies. However, with only 3 exclusive features, it has a narrower feature set compared to Amadeus.

Edge: Amadeus.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Amadeus or openROOM?

Customer support ratings reveal a significant difference: Amadeus scores 3.22/5 with mixed review comments about slow responses and support delays, reflecting some dissatisfaction. Its onboarding process is rated 4.01/5, but many hotelier reviews mention difficulties with support responsiveness.

openROOM’s support shines with a 4.89/5 rating, and reviewers describe their team as approachable, committed, and proactive, often acting as true partners. Their communication and dedication are frequently highlighted as reasons for high satisfaction.

Edge: openROOM.

Which Has More Integrations: Amadeus or openROOM?

Amadeus significantly outperforms openROOM in integrations, with 104 verified partner connections, including major PMS, revenue, and channel management systems like Priority Software and RevControl. This extensive network supports larger, more complex hotel setups.

openROOM currently has no verified integrations, limiting its ability to connect with other property systems directly. This may be a drawback if your hotel relies heavily on integrated management tools.

Edge: Amadeus.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Amadeus or openROOM?

Amadeus’s overall rating is 4.39/5 based on 93 reviews, with a strong independent hotel segment rating of 4.36/5. However, recent reviews in the last six months are absent, which slightly weakens confidence in current performance.

openROOM boasts a perfect 5/5 score from 9 reviews, with a very recent review count of 9, indicating active use and high satisfaction among its current users. Its high NPS score of 9.78/10 and 98% likelihood to recommend further affirm its positivity.

Edge: openROOM.

How Much Do Amadeus and openROOM Cost?

Amadeus’s pricing details are not publicly disclosed; it typically involves custom quotes based on hotel size and feature needs. This makes direct comparison difficult but suggests a higher investment threshold.

openROOM charges a flat rate of $400 per month, with no trial or implementation fees. While less transparent, this straightforward pricing may appeal to smaller or budget-conscious hotels.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Amadeus?

• Hotels that require extensive integrations with PMS, revenue management, and distribution channels.
• Properties seeking sophisticated revenue management tools and market intelligence.
• Hotels with larger or complex operations needing advanced reporting and multi-channel support.
• Chains planning to scale and needing a globally supported platform.

Not ideal if...

• Your hotel prefers simple, quick-to-implement solutions.
• You operate a very small property with minimal technical needs.
• Budget constraints prohibit high implementation or licensing costs.

What Type of Hotel Should Use openROOM?

• Independent hotels looking for a high-conversion, easy-to-use booking engine.
• Chains aiming to improve direct booking ratios with minimal integration needs.
• Hotels prioritizing a responsive support team and a modern, streamlined interface.
• Youth hostels or accommodations offering individual beds, benefiting from tailored booking options.

Not ideal if...

• Your hotel relies heavily on extensive third-party integrations.
• You need advanced features like urgent messaging or multi-channel marketing tools.
• You operate in a region where openROOM’s limited geographic presence is a concern.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Amadeus is a comprehensive, globally supported booking engine geared toward larger, multi-property operations. It offers extensive features, integrations, and market intelligence, but comes with a potential complexity and higher cost.

openROOM provides a straightforward, high-conversion solution with excellent recent reviews and dedicated support, making it ideal for smaller hotels or chains seeking simplicity and immediate results. Its limited integrations and features may be a drawback for larger, tech-dependent properties.

Choose Amadeus if your hotel needs a full-featured, scalable platform with broad integration options. Opt for openROOM if your focus is on a user-friendly, highly effective booking experience with quick ROI and strong support.

In conclusion, for hotels prioritizing proven robustness and extensive system connectivity, Amadeus remains the stronger choice. But if recent user satisfaction and a focus on growth through conversion resonate more, openROOM offers compelling advantages for the right hotel profile.