OTA Distribution (by Aven Hospitality) vs. Ermes CRS:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality and Ermes CRS hinges on your hotel’s specific needs and operational priorities. While OTA Distribution aims to streamline multi-channel distribution and offer advanced features, Ermes CRS provides a reservation management system with a focus on reducing manual work and enhancing booking processes. Both serve different core functions, but which aligns better with your hotel’s growth strategy?

In this comparison, Aven Hospitality’s OTA Distribution boasts more recent and numerous reviews, along with a higher overall user rating, making it the more trustworthy option for most hoteliers. Does your hotel prioritize extensive channel management features or simplified reservation operations?

Is OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality or Ermes CRS Better for Hotels?

OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality is designed to centrally manage rates, availability, and inventory across over 600 channels, including OTAs, bed banks, and tour managers. Its main goal is to expand your distribution reach and automate updates to prevent overbooking or discrepancies.

Ermes CRS, in contrast, is a cloud-based reservation system optimized for booking management, guest experience, and reducing manual tasks within the property. It does not focus on multi-channel distribution but instead improves internal reservation workflows.

Both products aim to improve operational efficiency but approach it differently. OTA Distribution focuses on external connectivity and broad distribution, while Ermes CRS emphasizes internal reservation accuracy and automation.

Do you need a system to amplify your online reach or one to streamline your reservations internally? This core distinction will guide your choice.

OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality vs Ermes CRS: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a broad, connected platform to handle multi-channel distribution across hundreds of OTAs and bed banks, OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality is the clear choice. Its 80 verified partners, including integrations with key OTAs and PMS systems, ensure your property’s inventory is synchronized everywhere, reducing manual errors.

If your priority is optimizing reservation management, reducing manual input, and improving guest booking experiences, Ermes CRS offers a simplified, AI-enhanced platform that consolidates reservations and minimizes errors.

For hotels with multiple properties or extensive distribution channels, OTA Distribution’s advanced features such as channel self-mapping and bulk updates make it ideal. Conversely, boutique hotels or independent properties looking for straightforward reservation handling may find Ermes CRS more suitable.

Choose OTA Distribution if expanding your reach and automating distribution is your goal. Opt for Ermes CRS if internal reservation efficiency and guest experience are your priorities.

Is OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality or Ermes CRS Easier to Use?

Aven Hospitality’s OTA Distribution scores significantly higher in ease of use, with a rating of 4.43/5 compared to Ermes CRS’s 0/5 (no data available). Users praise its user-friendly interface, intuitive navigation, and quick onboarding process, with a typical rating of 4.2/5 for onboarding and 4.06/5 for support.

In contrast, Ermes CRS’s lack of recent reviews and absence of user feedback make it difficult to assess its usability. The limited data suggests it might not have a modern, easy-to-navigate interface or robust onboarding process.

Edge: OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality.

Which Has Better Features: OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality or Ermes CRS?

OTA Distribution offers a suite of 14 unique features, including yield rules, derived rates, inventory management, channel self-mapping, bulk updates, 2-way real-time integrations, PMS connectivity, multi-lingual support, multi-currency support, integrated payment processing, and reporting tools. These features empower your team to manage distribution efficiently and adapt to market changes.

Ermes CRS, however, provides no specific or unique features beyond basic reservation management, focusing more on core reservation and booking functions.

Given the feature disparity, OTA Distribution’s extensive capabilities give it a clear edge for hotels seeking comprehensive channel management.

Edge: OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality.

Which Has Better Customer Support: OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality or Ermes CRS?

Aven Hospitality’s support team earns a 4.06/5 rating, with many reviews highlighting responsiveness and proactive management. One reviewer noted, “The responsiveness of the Account Manager was excellent, and the management team was always looking for improvements,” emphasizing its reliable support.

Ermes CRS, with no recent reviews or support ratings, provides no data-backed evidence of quality support. Its small size suggests support might be limited or less responsive.

Edge: OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality.

Which Has More Integrations: OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality or Ermes CRS?

OTA Distribution boasts 80 verified partners, including major OTAs, PMS systems like Visual Matrix, Profitroom, and WebRezPro, as well as distribution tools like Koddi and Price Positioner. This extensive network ensures your property can connect to nearly any channel or partner needed.

ErmesHotels only has a single verified partner listed, making its integration options extremely limited. For a hotel aiming to expand distribution effortlessly, OTA Distribution’s broad array of integrations is critical.

Edge: OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality or Ermes CRS?

Aven Hospitality’s OTA Distribution has a review count of 49, with recent reviews in the last six months, and a strong NPS score of 8.84/10. Hotels across luxury, boutique, and branded segments consistently rate it positively, often citing ease of management and reliable support.

Ermes CRS has no reviews or ratings available, making it impossible to gauge user satisfaction.

Based on available data, OTA Distribution’s higher review volume and recent feedback make it the more trusted choice.

Edge: OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality.

How Much Do OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality and Ermes CRS Cost?

OTA Distribution is priced at a flat rate of $300 per month, with no implementation fees or trial options mentioned. Its straightforward pricing model simplifies budgeting.

Ermes CRS does not publicly list its pricing, leaving potential buyers to contact sales for quotes. The lack of transparency suggests it may be tailored or variable.

For predictable costs, OTA Distribution’s transparent pricing is advantageous.

What Type of Hotel Should Use OTA Distribution?

• Hotels that want to reach a broad audience via multiple OTAs and bed banks.
• Properties with multiple locations needing centralized inventory management.
• Hotels aiming for automation in distribution to reduce manual errors.
• Brands looking to expand into new markets efficiently.
• Teams seeking robust reporting and analytics to optimize revenue.

Not ideal if your hotel operates solely through direct bookings or has minimal distribution needs.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Ermes CRS?

• Small hotels or boutique properties focusing on internal reservation management.
• Hotels prioritizing guest booking experience and automation.
• Properties seeking an easy-to-use system for reservations.
• Hotels with minimal external distribution requirements.
• Teams that prefer a simplified platform to reduce manual work.

Not ideal if you need extensive multi-channel management or advanced distribution features.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

OTA Distribution by Aven Hospitality is a comprehensive channel management tool built for hotels looking to maximize external distribution and automate their multi-channel presence. Its robust feature set, high user ratings, and extensive integrations make it suitable for properties wanting to expand reach and streamline operations.

Ermes CRS, however, offers reservation management with some automation benefits but lacks the breadth of features and integrations necessary for large-scale distribution. Its usefulness is limited to internal reservation optimization rather than broad channel expansion.

If your hotel needs sophisticated distribution management, go with OTA Distribution. If internal reservation efficiency is your main concern, and your distribution needs are minimal, Ermes CRS might serve you better. Overall, OTA Distribution’s recent reviews, higher ratings, and feature depth make it the more reliable choice for most hotels today.