The project dashboard is a free tool that is only available to verified hoteliers to make adopting new technology easier by streamlining their research and simplifying their communication workflow.
TLDR
We analyzed 378 verified hotelier reviews, compared feature sets, pricing, and real-world case studies to break down where each platform delivers. The right choice depends on your property type and priorities:
Athena shines .
Stayntouch shines in ease of use and customer support — especially for brand properties (4.9/5) , with exclusive features like Revenue management module and Ancillary revenue tracking.
Side-by-side ratings based on 378 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | Contact sales | From $800/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 0 | 378 |
After analyzing 378 verified reviews, Athena users most value its , while Stayntouch users highlight smooth transition and training, user experience and interface, housekeeping and operational efficiency. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Smooth Transition and Training
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User Experience and Interface
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Housekeeping and Operational Efficiency
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Reservation and Rate Management
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Reports and Analytics
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Limited Group and Invoice Management
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How each product ranks among Property Management Systems vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
| Segment | Athena |
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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | — | #18 51 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | — | #5 208 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | — | #7 29 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | — | #2 58 reviews |
By Property Type
| Segment | Athena |
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| Boutique ▾ | — | #6 220 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | — | #6 180 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | — | #3 152 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | — | #14 17 reviews |
By Region
| Segment | Athena |
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| North America ▾ | — | #4 262 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | — | #12 64 reviews |
| Asia Pacific | — | #21 3 reviews |
Choosing the right property management system (PMS) can significantly impact your hotel's daily operations, guest experience, and revenue. Both Athena and Stayntouch aim to streamline hotel management, but they approach this goal differently. Athena, with no recent reviews or user ratings, remains an untested option, whereas Stayntouch has a proven track record backed by over 300 reviews, most recent within six months. Given the current market data, Stayntouch clearly has more recent, detailed feedback—making it the stronger choice for your hotel now.
While Athena touts AI-powered revenue management and automation, its lack of user reviews and limited regional presence make it difficult to assess its real-world performance. Stayntouch, on the other hand, is well-established across multiple continents, with a high overall rating of 4.56 out of 5 and a customer satisfaction score of 9.35 out of 10. This extensive feedback indicates that Stayntouch’s users find it highly effective, especially in ease of use and support. Do you want a proven, well-reviewed system or an untested one?
Athena and Stayntouch both aim to simplify hotel operations through property management, but they diverge substantially in their offerings and market presence. Athena’s focus appears to be on AI-driven revenue management, promising automation and data-driven decision support, yet it lacks meaningful reviews or user ratings to validate these claims. Stayntouch’s strength lies in its extensive feature set, user-friendly interface, and the broad adoption across diverse hotel types, supported by over 300 recent reviews.
If your hotel needs a flexible, multi-property management platform with a strong support network and proven functionality, Stayntouch is the clear choice. Conversely, Athena might appeal if you prioritize AI-powered revenue strategies and automation, but its lack of real-world validation is a concern. Are you willing to risk an unreviewed platform, or do you prefer a market-tested solution?
Your decision depends on your hotel’s specific needs. If your property requires a comprehensive PMS with advanced features like revenue management, online check-in, and extensive third-party integrations, Stayntouch is the clear winner. It’s ideal for hotels aiming for operational efficiency, multi-property management, and guest-centric services.
If your hotel primarily seeks AI-driven pricing optimization and automation capabilities, Athena could be worth exploring, especially if it can deliver on its promises. However, given the lack of reviews and regional presence, Stayntouch’s proven track record makes it a safer, more reliable choice for most hotels today.
Based on recent reviews, Stayntouch scores highly on ease of use, with a 4.7 out of 5 rating and detailed user praise for its intuitive interface and quick onboarding. Users report that training is straightforward, and staff adapt quickly, with some reviewers highlighting how the visual layout and mobile app make daily tasks simpler.
Athena, however, has no available user ratings or recent reviews, making it impossible to assess its usability. Its AI focus might suggest complexity, but without user feedback, its actual ease of use remains unverified.
Edge: Stayntouch.
Stayntouch offers a rich suite of 49 features, including revenue management, group handling, online check-in, mobile app, integrated payment processing, and real-time reporting. These capabilities are supported by extensive third-party integrations, making it adaptable for diverse hotel operations.
Athena claims to be AI-powered but provides no detailed feature list or user feedback to validate its offerings. Without a comparable feature set or user testimonials, it’s difficult to assess Athena’s capabilities.
Edge: Stayntouch.
Stayntouch scores a 4.68 out of 5 for customer support, with recent reviews praising its onboarding process, responsiveness, and dedicated support teams. Reviewers mention that support is consistent and helpful, especially during implementation and troubleshooting.
Athena offers no recent reviews or support ratings, leaving its support quality unverified. Given the importance of reliable support in PMS deployment, this gap favors Stayntouch.
Edge: Stayntouch.
Stayntouch boasts 188 verified third-party integrations, including popular systems like RoomPriceGenie, STAAH, and various guest experience tools. This extensive network facilitates comprehensive management and customization of hotel operations.
Athena has no confirmed integration partners, limiting its ability to connect with other hotel systems. For hotels relying on a connected tech stack, Stayntouch’s open API and wide integration ecosystem are significant advantages.
Edge: Stayntouch.
Stayntouch’s 317 reviews in the last six months reveal a high overall rating of 4.56/5 and a likelihood to recommend of 94%. Hotels across segments, especially boutique and independent properties, appreciate its ease of use, support, and feature depth.
Athena’s review count is zero, and it has no ratings or recent feedback, making it impossible to gauge user satisfaction.
Edge: Stayntouch.
Athena does not publicly disclose pricing, which suggests it may be customized or in early development stages. Stayntouch charges $800 per month, with no implementation fee or trial period, making it transparent and predictable for budgeting.
If you prioritize clear pricing and predictable costs, Stayntouch offers a straightforward monthly fee, while Athena’s costs remain unclear.
Not ideal if you need proven system stability, extensive support, or broad regional presence.
Not ideal if you’re a small hotel with limited tech needs or budget constraints—though the transparent pricing may appeal to larger properties.
Athena’s AI focus and automation potential are intriguing but untested, with no recent reviews or real-world validation. Stayntouch, by contrast, has a proven track record, a broad feature set, and high hotel ratings—making it a safer choice for most.
If your hotel needs a reliable, scalable, and well-supported PMS, Stayntouch offers compelling advantages. Athena might suit innovative, tech-savvy hotels willing to accept some risk and complexity in exchange for emerging AI capabilities.
In summary, for now, Stayntouch’s extensive real-world data and proven performance make it the preferred option. Athena’s potential remains promising but unverified—your team might prefer a solution with a solid track record.
Note: The length and depth of this comparison are designed to provide clarity and decisive guidance. Choosing the right PMS is crucial; consider your hotel’s specific needs and risk appetite before making a final decision.
Property Management Systems pricing is rarely straightforward. Here is what we know from each vendor's public pricing data. Always request a custom quote for your property size.
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| Starting Price | — | From $800/mo |
These are the features each vendor has configured, organized by feature group — the same data shown in the vendor dashboard. Expand a group to compare features side by side.
| Feature | Athena |
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Accounting & Finance
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| Direct billing | ||
| RevPaR & ADR Reports | ||
| Multi-currency | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
| Automated night audit | ||
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Marketing & Ecommerce
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| Guest Communication (SMS Messaging) | ||
| Native Email Marketing | ||
| Guest profiles | ||
| Guest CRM | ||
| Gift Vouchers | ||
| Channel Manager | ||
| Booking Engine | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
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Administration & Configuration
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| Centralized user & role management | ||
| Multi-lingual | ||
| Cloud based | ||
| On premise | ||
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Customer Management
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| Guest Communication (SMS Messaging) | ||
| Guest profiles | ||
| Centralized Messaging | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
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Front Office
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| Mobile Device Notes & Tasks (Voice-to-Text) | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Automated night audit | ||
| Calendar view | ||
| Multi-lingual | ||
| Task Management | ||
| Automated reminders | ||
| Guest profiles | ||
| Tablet/Kiosk Check-in | ||
| Payment Requests | ||
| Centralized Messaging | ||
| Automated Space Optimization | ||
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Groups Management
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| Group functionality | ||
| Automated Space Optimization | ||
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Guest Experience
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| Integrated ID & Passport Scanner | ||
| Digital Registration | ||
| Guest App | ||
| Online Check-in | ||
| Online Checkout | ||
| Guest Messaging | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
| ID Scanning & Registration Pre-fill | ||
| Lobby Kiosk | ||
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Housekeeping
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| Housekeeping module | ||
| Housekeeping Mobile App | ||
| Real-Time Status Updates | ||
| Automated Assignments | ||
| Real Time Reporting | ||
| Shift Planning | ||
| Employee Messaging | ||
| Online Checkout | ||
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Payments
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| Integrated Payment Terminal & Card Reader | ||
| Direct billing | ||
| Multi-currency | ||
| Payment processing | ||
| Payment Requests | ||
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Reservations Management
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| RevPaR & ADR Reports | ||
| Gift Vouchers | ||
| Channel Manager | ||
| Integrated CRS | ||
| Drag-n-Drop Tapechart | ||
| Rate Management | ||
| Automated Space Optimization | ||
| Rules Based Room Assignments | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
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Revenue Management
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| RevPaR & ADR Reports | ||
| Custom rates | ||
| Ancillary revenue tracking | ||
| Revenue management module | ||
| Base Pricing | ||
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Taxes & Compliance
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| PCI Compliant | ||
| GDPR Compliant | ||
| SOC2 Complaint | ||
| Tax Configuration | ||
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Support & Training
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| Online 24/7 support | ||
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Food & Beverage
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Spa
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| Spa & Wellness Module |
We analyzed 5 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
No published case study for this goal yet.
"Before leveraging Stayntouch PMS and Owner Relations, much of our old accounting processes were completed manually, including printing and hand-delivering statements to units, and..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
"As an independent hotel that runs above 100% occupancy on many nights, the TWA Hotel finds Stayntouch integral to our operations."
What hoteliers love
Stayntouch receives high praise for its seamless transition and training processes, greatly aided by trainers like David and Julia, who are consistent... Stayntouch receives high praise for its seamless transition and training processes, greatly aided by trainers like David and Julia, who are consistently mentioned for their support and comprehensive guidance. Many reviews highlight the ease of moving from previous systems, an aspect noted particularly for its stress-reduction during onboarding.
The software is largely favored for its intuitive and user-friendly design, supporting efficient training and ease of user adoption, especially for st... The software is largely favored for its intuitive and user-friendly design, supporting efficient training and ease of user adoption, especially for staff with varying technical proficiencies. This contributes significantly to positive front-desk and operational performances.
The housekeeping management features of Stayntouch are frequently highlighted for simplifying room assignments and tracking housekeeping status. This... The housekeeping management features of Stayntouch are frequently highlighted for simplifying room assignments and tracking housekeeping status. This boosts operational efficiency by providing real-time updates that enhance day-to-day workflow.
Where hoteliers push back
While reporting features are appreciated for being comprehensive and aiding in operational oversight, several reviews indicate room for improvement in... While reporting features are appreciated for being comprehensive and aiding in operational oversight, several reviews indicate room for improvement in terms of report customizability and clarity. Challenges in generating detailed reports have been a noted setback for some users.
Some reviews highlight difficulties in managing group bookings and invoicing, noting that certain processes could be more streamlined and intuitive. I... Some reviews highlight difficulties in managing group bookings and invoicing, noting that certain processes could be more streamlined and intuitive. Issues with shifting client accounts and historical data access suggest there's room for feature expansion.
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Athena and Stayntouch share many core Property Management Systems features, but each has unique capabilities. Athena offers 0 verified integration partners, while Stayntouch offers 196. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Stayntouch leads in ease of use at 4.7/5 vs 0.0/5. Look for transparent pricing and a trial or demo option. Filter reviews on each product page by property size to hear from hotels like yours.
Athena: No. Stayntouch: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Property Management Systems vendors offer demos or trials — request one from each to evaluate before committing.
The HT Score is a composite ranking that considers 4 criteria groups and over a dozen variables to help hoteliers objectively compare hotel technology products. Athena has an HT Score of 0 and Stayntouch has 91. Here is how the score is calculated.
| Criteria Group | Weight | What It Measures |
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| Customer Ratings & Reviews |
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How highly do users recommend this product? Ratings Score, Review Volume, Share of Voice, Review Depth, Review Recency, Success Stories ▾ The most heavily weighted factor. Analyzes average satisfaction ratings (likelihood to recommend, ease of use, support, ROI), total review count relative to category peers, review recency (at least 20 reviews in the trailing 6 months), and share of voice across unique hotel clients to detect selection bias. |
| Partner Ecosystem |
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How highly do tech partners recommend this company? Partner Recommendations, Integration Quantity, Integration Quality ▾ Evaluates partner recommendations as expert votes of confidence, the number of verified integrations, and ecosystem quality — the average HT Scores of integration partners. Products with higher-quality integration ecosystems are more likely to deliver a connected tech stack. |
| Customer Centricity |
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How customer-centric is this organization? Certified Support, Review Consistency, Profile Completeness ▾ Assesses whether the company has earned HTR Customer Support Certification, maintains consistent review collection over time (an indicator of feedback-driven culture), and keeps product profiles complete with capabilities, screenshots, pricing, and features. |
| Reach, Staying Power & Resources |
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How extensive is this company's reach and resourcing? Geographic Reach, Staying Power, Company Resources, Trending Score ▾ Measures global presence (countries and regions served), years in business as a stability proxy, team headcount as a resource proxy, and a trending score based on trailing-twelve-month buyer inquiries, reviews, partner recommendations, and press activity. |
Customer ratings and reviews are by far the most important factor in the HT Score algorithm. HTR does not accept payment for higher rankings. All reviews are verified — only hotel industry practitioners with confirmed affiliations can submit ratings. View full HT Score methodology →
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