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 844 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:
SHR Group shines when it comes to proactive customer support — especially for Boutique Hotels properties (5.0/5) , with exclusive features like Special offers & discounts and Gift Vouchers & Prepaid Experiences.
Simplotel shines when it comes to service and support — especially for brand properties (5.0/5) .
Side-by-side ratings based on 844 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Value for Money |
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| Starting Price | Contact sales | From $500/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 512 | 332 |
After analyzing 844 verified reviews, SHR Group users most value its proactive customer support, integration capabilities, intuitive interface, while Simplotel users highlight service and support, user-friendly interface and design, customer experience enhancement. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Proactive customer support
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Service and Support
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Integration capabilities
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User-friendly interface and design
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Intuitive interface
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Customer experience enhancement
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Rate and inventory management
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Integration and Optimization
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Backend navigation improvements
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Customization and Flexibility
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Visual and aesthetic design
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Analytics and Reporting
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Support documentation and training
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How each product ranks among Booking Engine vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #8 76 reviews | #5 127 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #2 369 reviews | #6 163 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #4 39 reviews | #9 20 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | #5 16 reviews | #14 3 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #3 232 reviews | #6 139 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #2 320 reviews | #4 187 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #2 166 reviews | #4 101 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #4 32 reviews | #9 15 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #8 39 reviews | #13 11 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #2 440 reviews | #35 2 reviews |
| Asia Pacific ▾ | #15 11 reviews | #2 307 reviews |
| Middle East | #16 3 reviews | #15 3 reviews |
Choosing between SHR Booking Engine (BE) by SHR Group and Simplotel Booking Engine hinges on your hotel’s specific needs, size, and strategic priorities. Both platforms aim to boost your direct bookings, but they differ significantly in features, support, and market presence.
SHR Group’s BE is a longstanding player with a broader feature set and more established market penetration, especially in North America and Europe. Simplotel, on the other hand, excels in seamless website integration and user-friendly design, favored by hotels aiming to enhance online engagement quickly.
Are you prioritizing extensive features, global reach, and a mature platform? Or do you need a straightforward, design-centric solution that emphasizes ease of use and rapid deployment? Let’s explore.
Both SHR Group and Simplotel aim to increase direct bookings but approach this goal differently. SHR’s platform offers a comprehensive suite of features like special offers, gift vouchers, and multiple payment options, making it ideal for hotels seeking advanced revenue management and detailed customization.
Simplotel emphasizes website design, mobile responsiveness, and analytics, focusing on simplifying the guest booking journey and boosting conversions through an intuitive interface. With more recent reviews and a higher overall score, Simplotel’s platform demonstrates a stronger market presence.
Do you need a feature-rich engine with deep integrations? Or is your priority a sleek, easy-to-navigate booking experience? Here’s a detailed comparison.
If your hotel needs a highly customizable platform with extensive integrations, support for complex revenue strategies, and features like gift vouchers and flexible dates, SHR Group’s BE is the better choice. It caters well to larger or mid-sized hotels looking for advanced tools and a broader partner ecosystem.
If your priority is improving website engagement, simplifying the booking process, and leveraging detailed analytics for conversions, Simplotel will serve you better. It’s ideal for hotels that want a quick-to-implement, visually appealing website with integrated booking capabilities and strong mobile performance.
For properties aiming for advanced revenue management and custom feature sets, SHR is preferable. Conversely, if your hotel values ease of use, website branding, and fast deployment, Simplotel should be your pick.
SHR’s platform scores a 4.67/5 for ease of use, with users praising its intuitive interface and onboarding process. However, some reviews mention backend navigation can be improved, and the user journey might feel complex for smaller teams.
Simplotel offers a slightly lower score of 4.65/5 but is generally praised for its straightforward website customization and simple booking flow. Reviewers highlight how quickly hotels can set up and start converting website visitors, especially with mobile responsiveness.
Edge: Simplotel.
SHR Group’s BE boasts 37 shared features plus 9 exclusive ones, including special offers, gift vouchers, Google Pay, Tripadvisor bookings, and flexible dates. These options enable larger hotels or those with complex needs to tailor their booking process extensively.
Simplotel, though offering fewer features overall, focuses on core functionalities like advanced analytics, mobile optimization, and seamless integrations, simplifying management and conversion. Its features cater well to hotels seeking straightforward, effective booking solutions.
Edge: SHR Booking Engine.
SHR Group’s support and onboarding receive a 4.86/5 rating, with reviews emphasizing proactive, knowledgeable assistance and quick problem resolution. Customers appreciate the dedicated account management and extensive support documentation.
Simplotel’s support scores 4.69/5, with users describing their team as friendly and prompt, but some mention inconsistencies and room for more proactive communication. Overall, SHR’s support team appears more established and highly rated.
Edge: SHR Booking Engine.
SHR boasts 81 verified partners, including major PMS, channel managers, and marketing tools like SiteMinder, Stripe, and Triptease. Its extensive integration ecosystem ensures smooth operation across various systems.
Simplotel offers 22 verified partners, including popular PMS like Cloudbeds and channel managers like STAAH. While sufficient for many hotels, its ecosystem is smaller, limiting options for complex setups.
Edge: SHR Booking Engine.
In recent reviews, Simplotel’s overall rating of 4.75/5 surpasses SHR Group’s 4.86/5, but SHR has more reviews (339 vs 297) and higher recent activity. Larger hotels and luxury segments tend to favor SHR’s feature set and support, while Simplotel’s ease of use and visual appeal earn praise across segments.
Simplotel’s recent reviews, especially from smaller hotels, are notably positive, reflecting its current market strength and recent updates. However, SHR’s broader adoption and detailed feedback suggest a more mature platform.
Edge: SHR Booking Engine.
SHR Group does not publicly disclose pricing, indicating a tailored, potentially higher-cost solution suitable for larger properties or chains. Simplotel charges a flat rate of $500/month, with no mention of implementation fees or tiered pricing.
While Simplotel’s transparent pricing makes budgeting easier, SHR’s custom pricing reflects its enterprise focus and extensive feature set.
Not ideal if your hotel is small, has a limited tech budget, or prefers a simple setup.
Not ideal if your hotel needs highly advanced revenue management features or complex integrations.
Core Difference: SHR Booking Engine is a feature-rich platform designed for scalability, customization, and extensive integration, making it suitable for larger or more complex hotels. Simplotel offers a straightforward, design-focused solution that excels in ease of use, website integration, and quick setup.
When to Choose SHR: If your property demands advanced features like flexible dates, gift vouchers, multiple payment options, and deep integrations, SHR is the clear choice. Its support and comprehensive ecosystem also benefit hotels with larger teams or multiple properties.
When to Choose Simplotel: If your goal is to enhance website engagement, simplify management, and improve booking conversions with a visually appealing and mobile-optimized platform, Simplotel is ideal. Its lower cost and recent positive reviews highlight its value for hotels aiming for rapid results.
Final verdict: For hotels seeking a mature, feature-packed booking engine with extensive support and integrations, SHR Booking Engine is the preferred choice. However, for properties emphasizing website design, ease of use, and faster deployment, Simplotel stands out as a strong contender. Your decision should align with your hotel’s size, complexity, and strategic priorities.
According to HTR's product database, SHR Booking Engine (BE) and Simplotel Booking Engine share 37 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
| Feature |
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| Availability block | ||
| Gift Vouchers & Prepaid Experiences | ||
| Google Pay | ||
| Meal plans | ||
| Price comparison widget | ||
| Special offers & discounts |
We analyzed 4 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
"Our results and KPIs from booking engine to digital reinforce the effectiveness of our partnership and SHR Group's exceptional technology."
No published case study for this goal yet.
What hoteliers love
Users frequently commend SHR's proactive and responsive customer support. Account managers and support teams are described as very helpful, knowledgea... Users frequently commend SHR's proactive and responsive customer support. Account managers and support teams are described as very helpful, knowledgeable, and quick to respond to issues. The guidance provided by customer success teams is considered invaluable for optimizing use of the software. This topic is covered in 30 reviews.
A key feature frequently highlighted is the robust integration capabilities of the platform. Windsurfer CRS efficiently communicates with various PMSs... A key feature frequently highlighted is the robust integration capabilities of the platform. Windsurfer CRS efficiently communicates with various PMSs, channel managers, and CRM tools, ensuring seamless operations and up-to-date information across systems. However, some users desire improved integration with additional systems and platforms. This topic is seen in 18 reviews.
Users commend the intuitive interface of Windsurfer CRS, which makes the booking process seamless for guests and easy for hotel staff to manage. The e... Users commend the intuitive interface of Windsurfer CRS, which makes the booking process seamless for guests and easy for hotel staff to manage. The ease of setting up and managing rate plans, the flexibility to customize booking pages, and straightforward navigation contribute to overall efficiency. This topic is identified in 20 reviews.
Where hoteliers push back
Some users have noted that while the frontend is user-friendly, the backend navigation and filtering options could be more intuitive and user-friendly... Some users have noted that while the frontend is user-friendly, the backend navigation and filtering options could be more intuitive and user-friendly. Improvements in these areas could significantly enhance efficiency and user satisfaction. This topic is identified in 12 reviews.
Some users suggest that the visual aesthetics of the booking engine could be improved. Enhancing the polished and modern design of the user interface... Some users suggest that the visual aesthetics of the booking engine could be improved. Enhancing the polished and modern design of the user interface could further elevate the overall booking experience and make it more visually appealing. This topic is discussed in 6 reviews.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
Although customer support is generally rated as responsive and helpful, there are calls for more proactive communication. Monthly check-ins and traini... Although customer support is generally rated as responsive and helpful, there are calls for more proactive communication. Monthly check-ins and training materials are suggested for enhanced service.
Simplotel's booking engine stands out for its intuitive and user-friendly design, simplifying navigation for guests and hoteliers. Reviews consistentl... Simplotel's booking engine stands out for its intuitive and user-friendly design, simplifying navigation for guests and hoteliers. Reviews consistently mention improved booking experience and engagement, translating to increased bookings and customer satisfaction.
The platform enhances guest experiences by streamlining booking processes and supporting upselling and cross-selling services. This feature is cited f... The platform enhances guest experiences by streamlining booking processes and supporting upselling and cross-selling services. This feature is cited for adding value and contributing to increased revenue.
Where hoteliers push back
Many users appreciate the potential for customizing brand-specific templates and designs but express a demand for more flexibility. There is feedback... Many users appreciate the potential for customizing brand-specific templates and designs but express a demand for more flexibility. There is feedback on limited options for personalizing website layouts and dynamic content.
Simplotel provides robust analytics and reporting features aiding in data-driven decision-making and marketing strategies. Users find these insights b... Simplotel provides robust analytics and reporting features aiding in data-driven decision-making and marketing strategies. Users find these insights beneficial for optimizing bookings, although some suggest further advancements in analytics tools.
Ranks higher for
It depends on your requirements. SHR Booking Engine (BE) and Simplotel Booking Engine share many core Booking Engine features, but each has unique capabilities. SHR Booking Engine (BE) offers 81 verified integration partners, while Simplotel Booking Engine offers 22. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. SHR Booking Engine (BE) leads in ease of use at 4.7/5 vs 4.7/5. 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.
SHR Booking Engine (BE): No. Simplotel Booking Engine: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Booking Engine 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. SHR Group has an HT Score of 46 and Simplotel has 90. 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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