OTA Distribution (by Aven Hospitality) vs. SmartHOTEL (Channel Manager):
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right channel management platform can significantly impact your hotel's revenue, operational efficiency, and guest satisfaction. Both Aven Hospitality's OTA Distribution and SmartHOTEL's Channel Manager aim to streamline distribution across multiple channels, but their strengths and weaknesses diverge notably. How do their features, support, and market presence align with your hotel’s specific needs?

While Aven Hospitality’s OTA Distribution boasts more reviews and recent feedback, the overall product quality and user satisfaction favor SmartHOTEL. Does your team prioritize extensive integrations and proven reliability, or are advanced distribution features and larger global reach more critical for your hotel?

Is Aven Hospitality or SmartHOTEL Better for Hotels?

Both platforms serve the core purpose of connecting your hotel to a wide array of distribution channels, but their approaches differ. Aven Hospitality’s OTA Distribution offers a centralized hub to manage over 600 channels, with a focus on automating rate, availability, and inventory updates across a broad network, including OTAs, bed banks, and tour operators. Its system is built for hotels aiming to scale their distribution efforts globally, with features like integrated payment processing and detailed booking performance reports.

SmartHOTEL’s Channel Manager emphasizes automation, reliability, and ease of use. It connects your PMS to hundreds of OTAs and GDS channels, ensuring real-time updates that help prevent overbookings and manual errors. Its interface is lauded for being intuitive, with a strong reputation for customer support and quick issue resolution.

While Aven Hospitality’s product is more established with 49 reviews (none in the last six months), its recent review activity is sparse, reducing confidence in its current performance. Conversely, SmartHOTEL’s 62 recent reviews, all within the last six months, reinforce its ongoing relevance and higher user satisfaction.

Do these differences influence your decision based on your hotel’s size, location, or distribution strategy?

Aven Hospitality vs SmartHOTEL: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a broad, multi-channel distribution platform capable of managing complex, multi-property portfolios—especially if you’re expanding into new markets—Aven Hospitality’s OTA Distribution is suitable. Its extensive partner network and advanced features like yield rules and booking performance reports make it ideal for large hotels, chains, or properties with diverse revenue streams.

If your hotel prioritizes ease of use, quick onboarding, and reliable support to manage a moderate number of channels efficiently, SmartHOTEL is the better option. Its highly rated customer service, extensive integrations, and automation capabilities make it suitable for small to mid-sized hotels, boutique properties, or those seeking straightforward, dependable distribution management.

In summary, choose Aven Hospitality for scale and detailed control; opt for SmartHOTEL for simplicity, support, and proven reliability.

Is Aven Hospitality or SmartHOTEL Easier to Use?

Both platforms are rated 4.43/5 for ease of use, indicating strong user confidence in their interfaces. SmartHOTEL’s interface is frequently praised as intuitive, with many users highlighting how quickly new staff can learn the system. Support during onboarding is also rated higher, at 4.47/5, compared to Aven Hospitality’s 4.2/5, reflecting its focus on a smooth start.

Aven Hospitality’s system, while comprehensive, receives some user criticism for its complex setup and less responsive customer support, which can hinder staff adoption and routine operations. Its interface, although functional, might require more training, especially for those unfamiliar with advanced distribution tools.

Edge: SmartHOTEL.

Which Has Better Features: Aven Hospitality or SmartHOTEL?

Aven Hospitality offers 5 exclusive features, including yield rules, inventory grid, integrated payment processing, and support for weekly and monthly rates, which cater to hotels with complex pricing strategies. Its booking performance and pace reporting add valuable insights for revenue management.

SmartHOTEL provides 3 unique features: centralized role management, unlimited channels without extra cost, and an analytics dashboard. These tools enhance operational control and data-driven decision-making, especially for hotels seeking simple, flexible management.

While both platforms cover core distribution needs, Aven Hospitality’s additional features might appeal more to hotels with sophisticated revenue management requirements. Conversely, SmartHOTEL’s specialized tools benefit properties prioritizing operational simplicity and quick insights.

Edge: Aven Hospitality.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Aven Hospitality or SmartHOTEL?

SmartHOTEL’s customer support is rated 4.83/5, notably higher than Aven Hospitality’s 4.06/5. Reviewers frequently mention prompt, knowledgeable responses and proactive support, with one noting, "Fiona Cooper always gets back right away." Its support team is praised for resolving issues efficiently and maintaining clear communication.

Aven Hospitality’s support ratings are lower, with reviews describing delays and difficulty reaching staff. One review harshly states, "Customer support not just sending people to another person over and over again," reflecting ongoing frustrations.

Edge: SmartHOTEL.

Which Has More Integrations: Aven Hospitality or SmartHOTEL?

Aven Hospitality surpasses SmartHOTEL with 80 verified partners versus 38. Shared integrations include major players like Bookassist, Cendyn, and Oracle Hospitality. Its broader network offers more options for connecting your PMS, CRS, and other systems.

SmartHOTEL’s 38 verified partners include key integrations like Xn Protel Systems, RevControl, and Sirvoy but fewer overall. Its focus on quality rather than quantity ensures reliable connections, but its limited partner list may restrict hotels with specialized or less common systems.

Edge: Aven Hospitality.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Aven Hospitality or SmartHOTEL?

SmartHOTEL’s reviews are more recent and consistently high, with an overall rating of 4.63/5 from 62 reviews, compared to Aven Hospitality’s 0/5 from 49 reviews—almost all of which are outdated or negative.

Hotels in the boutique and city center segments particularly praise SmartHOTEL’s ease of use, support, and automation capabilities. Conversely, Aven Hospitality’s reviews, primarily negative, focus on poor customer service and outdated functionality, diminishing its perceived value.

Edge: SmartHOTEL.

How Much Do Aven Hospitality and SmartHOTEL Cost?

Both platforms are priced at a base rate of $300 per month, with no mention of implementation fees, freemium models, or additional charges. This parity makes initial comparisons straightforward, though actual total costs may vary based on additional modules or support packages.

Pricing transparency is limited, so verifying detailed costs directly with sales teams is recommended before committing.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Aven Hospitality?

• Hotels that require extensive distribution management across numerous channels, especially those with multi-property portfolios.
• Hotels with complex revenue strategies needing advanced yield rules and detailed reporting.
• Large hotel groups or chains looking to automate and scale their distribution efforts.
• Properties that can dedicate resources to mastering a feature-rich platform, despite its learning curve.

Not ideal if your hotel:

• Is a small boutique or independent property seeking quick setup.
• Has limited distribution channels or low complexity in revenue management.
• Prioritizes customer support responsiveness over feature depth.

What Type of Hotel Should Use SmartHOTEL?

• Boutique hotels, city center properties, or bed & breakfast inns seeking straightforward, reliable distribution.
• Hotels aiming to improve operational efficiency with minimal manual work.
• Properties that value quick onboarding, easy training, and effective support.
• Hotels with moderate to high distribution needs but without complex revenue management requirements.

Not ideal if your hotel:

• Has highly specialized distribution channels not supported by SmartHOTEL.
• Needs advanced revenue management features like yield rules or custom reporting.
• Prefers a platform with a broader partner network for niche integrations.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference between Aven Hospitality and SmartHOTEL lies in their primary focus: Aven Hospitality emphasizes larger-scale, multifaceted distribution management, while SmartHOTEL prioritizes ease of use, support, and reliable automation.

If your hotel is aiming to expand into multiple channels with complex revenue strategies, Aven Hospitality’s extensive features and partner network make it the logical choice. However, if your goal is to streamline operations, reduce manual errors, and benefit from high-rated support, SmartHOTEL is the more dependable, user-friendly option.

Choosing between them depends on your specific operational needs and growth plans. But based on recent reviews and active support, SmartHOTEL emerges as the more consistently satisfying platform for most hotels today.