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 57 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:
Back9 Creative shines .
Cendyn shines in ease of use and customer support — especially for independent properties (4.8/5) , with exclusive features like Data Analysis & Reporting and Email Marketing.
Side-by-side ratings based on 57 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
| HTScore |
|
|
| Likelihood to Recommend |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Customer Support |
|
|
| Value for Money |
|
|
| Starting Price | Contact sales | From $1,800/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 0 | 57 |
After analyzing 57 verified reviews, Back9 Creative users most value its , while Cendyn users highlight customer support experience, digital marketing services, booking engine usability. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
| Back9 Creative |
|
|---|---|
| Pros | |
|
+
Customer Support Experience
▾
|
|
|
+
Digital Marketing Services
▾
|
|
|
+
Booking Engine Usability
▾
|
|
|
+
Dynamic Pricing Rules (DPR)
▾
|
|
| Cons | |
|
−
Reporting and Analytics
▾
|
|
|
−
CRS Functionality
▾
|
|
|
−
User Interface and Aesthetic Updates
▾
|
|
How each product ranks among Digital Marketing Agencies vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
| Segment | Back9 Creative |
|
|---|---|---|
| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | — | #8 13 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | — | #6 18 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | — | #3 15 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | — | #1 8 reviews |
By Property Type
| Segment | Back9 Creative |
|
|---|---|---|
| Boutique ▾ | — | #5 31 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | — | #6 25 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | — | #5 20 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | — | #8 6 reviews |
By Region
| Segment | Back9 Creative |
|
|---|---|---|
| North America ▾ | — | #2 39 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | — | #9 7 reviews |
| Asia Pacific | — | #8 2 reviews |
| Middle East | — | #4 1 reviews |
Choosing between Back9 Creative and Cendyn Full-Service Digital Marketing hinges on your hotel’s specific needs. Both aim to boost your online presence and revenue, but they approach this differently: Back9 Creative focuses solely on content and project management, while Cendyn offers a full suite of digital marketing services with extensive integrations and data analytics. Do you want a specialized platform or an all-in-one marketing powerhouse?
Back9 Creative is essentially a content and project management platform with limited integrations and a small team, whereas Cendyn offers a broad array of features backed by more than 50 reviews and a global presence. Which solution aligns better with your hotel's growth plan?
Back9 Creative primarily targets organizations needing streamlined content and project workflows. Its AI-driven tools facilitate content management, editorial planning, and team collaboration, making it ideal for hotels with internal marketing teams focused on creative execution.
Cendyn, however, is a full-service digital marketing agency operating worldwide. With 25 unique features—including SEO, PPC, web design, and marketing automation—and 116 verified integrations, it’s better suited for hotels that want a comprehensive digital strategy executed by a dedicated team. Do you prefer managing your marketing in-house or outsourcing to a specialized agency?
The key difference is scope. Back9 Creative is best for hotels wanting a centralized content platform, while Cendyn excels in delivering multi-channel campaigns that target direct bookings and revenue growth. Which approach best fits your hotel’s operational structure?
Back9 Creative has a user interface designed for content and project management, but with zero reviews, its usability is unverified. In contrast, Cendyn boasts a 4.58/5 ease of use rating based on 52 recent reviews, with clients praising its intuitive dashboards and straightforward onboarding process.
Reviewers highlight Cendyn’s user-friendly design, noting that staff quickly adapt and appreciate the clear workflows. Back9 Creative’s lack of recent reviews means its ease of use remains uncertain. Edge: Cendyn.
Cendyn offers 25 distinct features, including SEO, PPC, web design, content strategy, email marketing, social media management, and marketing automation—capabilities that Back9 Creative does not provide. Back9 Creative, on the other hand, offers no specialized features but emphasizes content and project collaboration tools.
If your hotel needs advanced digital marketing functions like SEO, paid advertising, and analytics, Cendyn’s feature set is far superior. For content management and collaboration, Back9 Creative’s offerings are limited, making it less suitable for comprehensive marketing strategies. Edge: Cendyn.
Cendyn’s support ratings are strong, with a 4.46/5 score based on 52 reviews, and numerous hoteliers praising its responsiveness and dedicated teams. Clients mention that support is responsive, with comments like “The support & responsiveness from the team is great,” and “They respond quickly and resolve problems almost instantaneously.”
Back9 Creative, with zero reviews, provides no support ratings, leaving its customer service quality unknown. Given Cendyn’s proven track record and recent feedback, it clearly has the edge here. Edge: Cendyn.
Cendyn has 116 verified partner integrations, including industry-standard platforms like Priority Software, Visual Matrix PMS, and RoomRaccoon. This extensive integration network enables seamless data flow across your hotel’s systems, improving operational efficiency.
Back9 Creative has no verified integrations, meaning it operates more as a standalone platform without the ability to connect with other tools. If your hotel relies on multiple systems, Cendyn’s integrations are a significant advantage. Edge: Cendyn.
With a 4.56/5 overall rating from 52 recent reviews, Cendyn’s clients are highly satisfied across segments, from independent hotels to luxury resorts. Hoteliers frequently praise its ease of use, support, and feature richness, with some saying, “It’s all great! I loved working with Travel Tripper,” and “The support team is fantastic.”
Back9 Creative has no reviews, so no data exists to gauge hotel satisfaction. Based on recent reviews and ratings, Cendyn is clearly the more trusted choice among hoteliers. Edge: Cendyn.
Back9 Creative does not publish pricing, indicating a likely custom quote or high-touch service model. Cendyn charges a base price of $1,800 per month, with no additional implementation fees or trial options.
Given Cendyn’s transparent pricing model, hoteliers can better evaluate ROI. Back9 Creative’s lack of public pricing makes it difficult to compare value directly, but Cendyn’s clear fee structure and extensive features make it a strong investment. Edge: Cendyn.
Back9 Creative is best suited for hotels focused on content execution and internal content projects. It’s less suitable for those requiring a full suite of digital marketing tools or extensive system integrations.
Cendyn is suitable for hotels aiming to scale digital marketing efforts, enhance direct bookings, and leverage comprehensive analytics. Its global reach and broad feature set make it ideal for mid-sized to large properties or hotel groups.
The core difference: Back9 Creative is a content and project management platform, while Cendyn provides a multifaceted digital marketing agency service. Your choice depends on whether you need a tool to manage creative workflows or a strategic partner to boost your online presence.
If your hotel needs advanced marketing capabilities, extensive integrations, and proven client satisfaction, go with Cendyn. Its 52 recent reviews and high ratings underscore its effectiveness for driving revenue and improving guest engagement.
Choose Back9 Creative if your hotel’s primary goal is streamlined content management without the need for complex marketing functions or system integrations. Its niche focus makes it suitable for smaller teams or hotels with internal marketing resources.
In conclusion, for most hoteliers actively seeking a reliable, feature-rich marketing partner with recent positive reviews, Cendyn stands out as the recommended choice. It offers the broadest capabilities, proven support, and better overall hotel satisfaction.
Digital Marketing Agencies 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.
| Back9 Creative |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | — | From $1,800/mo |
According to HTR's product database, Back9 Creative and Cendyn Full-Service Digital Marketing share 0 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
| Feature | Back9 Creative |
|
|---|---|---|
| 3rd party ad buys | ||
| Data Analysis & Reporting | ||
| Meta search marketing | ||
| PPC | ||
| SEO | ||
| Web Design |
Showing top differences. 13 more features differ between these products.
What hoteliers love
Overall feedback on customer support has been highly positive, with prompt and knowledgeable service reported widely. Specific mention is given to acc... Overall feedback on customer support has been highly positive, with prompt and knowledgeable service reported widely. Specific mention is given to account managers and their proactive approach to solving problems. Some users suggest that condensed communication and follow-through on inquiries could improve further.
Pegasus’s digital marketing services, including digital retargeting and advertising, are acknowledged for their effectiveness in driving business and... Pegasus’s digital marketing services, including digital retargeting and advertising, are acknowledged for their effectiveness in driving business and boosting ROI. Users appreciate the keen industry insight provided but recommend more proactive support and trend-sharing from the digital agency team.
Users appreciate the straightforward and user-friendly design of the Pegasus booking engine, which has significantly enhanced conversion rates and int... Users appreciate the straightforward and user-friendly design of the Pegasus booking engine, which has significantly enhanced conversion rates and integrated seamlessly with third-party platforms. However, there is feedback that the booking engine could benefit from a modern update to its appearance and additional display options.
Where hoteliers push back
The reporting suite within Pegasus is noted for delivering meaningful, easily interpreted data that aids in assessing and fine-tuning revenue strategi... The reporting suite within Pegasus is noted for delivering meaningful, easily interpreted data that aids in assessing and fine-tuning revenue strategies. Despite its usefulness, some users request more customizable options and quicker access to real-time data updates, as well as an improved user interface for generating detailed reports.
The CRS is praised for being dynamic and versatile, offering numerous features to tailor hotel rate strategies. Users have noted the system’s ability... The CRS is praised for being dynamic and versatile, offering numerous features to tailor hotel rate strategies. Users have noted the system’s ability to integrate last-minute promotions and manage rate updates efficiently. Nevertheless, some users report occasional slowdowns during peak usage times and suggest further improvements in reservation searching and processing speeds.
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Back9 Creative and Cendyn Full-Service Digital Marketing share many core Digital Marketing Agencies features, but each has unique capabilities. Back9 Creative offers 0 verified integration partners, while Cendyn Full-Service Digital Marketing offers 116. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Cendyn Full-Service Digital Marketing leads in ease of use at 4.6/5 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.
Back9 Creative: No. Cendyn Full-Service Digital Marketing: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Digital Marketing Agencies 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. Back9 Creative has an HT Score of 0 and Cendyn has 80. Here is how the score is calculated.
| Criteria Group | Weight | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Ratings & Reviews |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 →
Product recommendations advisor