Bay Lakes Information Systems vs. CiHMS:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right property management system (PMS) can dramatically influence your hotel’s operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, and revenue. Both Bay Lakes Information Systems and CiHMS aim to streamline your operations, but they differ significantly in maturity, user feedback, and feature depth. While Bay Lakes offers a long-standing legacy with no recent reviews, CiHMS provides a modern, cloud-based platform supported by a wealth of recent user feedback. Which solution aligns better with your hotel’s current needs?

Is Bay Lakes Information Systems or CiHMS Better for Hotels?

Bay Lakes Information Systems has been serving hotels since 1984, theoretically offering a reliable, industry veteran product. However, it has no recent reviews, ratings, or active user feedback, making it impossible to assess current user satisfaction or functionality. CiHMS, on the other hand, boasts 101 reviews with a high overall rating of 81.25 out of 100, and all recent reviews from the last six months are positive, reflecting ongoing support and development.

The key difference is clear: Bay Lakes’ lack of recent feedback means your team cannot confidently rely on its current performance or innovation. CiHMS’s active review base, high scores, and recent feedback provide a more dependable gauge of usability and customer satisfaction. Do you want a proven, well-documented solution or a system backed by recent user experiences?

CiHMS vs Bay Lakes: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a modern, cloud-based PMS with advanced features and active customer support, CiHMS is the clear choice. Its 4.9/5 ease of use, 4.92/5 customer support rating, and 98% likelihood to recommend indicate high satisfaction among users managing a wide range of hotel types, from resorts to city center hotels.

Conversely, if your hotel specifically requires a longstanding industry presence with a focus on traditional property management, and you are comfortable with no recent feedback, Bay Lakes may seem appealing. But without current reviews or recent updates, it’s risky to assume that its functionality remains competitive. Given the available data, CiHMS is the more confident choice for most hotels today.

Is Bay Lakes or CiHMS Easier to Use?

CiHMS’s user interface earns a near-perfect 4.9 out of 5, with reviews highlighting its intuitive, lean design that simplifies daily tasks. Onboarding is rated 4.84/5, and users praise the system for making staff adoption straightforward and quick, especially with its cloud access and mobile capabilities.

Bay Lakes, by contrast, has a 0/5 ease of use rating from reviews, with no specific user feedback available. The lack of recent reviews and high rating scores suggests it might not be as modern or user-friendly as CiHMS. Edge: CiHMS.

Which Has Better Features: Bay Lakes or CiHMS?

CiHMS offers 33 features, including a comprehensive suite such as channel management, revenue management, integrated CRS, online booking, guest profiles, automated night audit, multi-currency, and mobile apps—features that dramatically expand operational control.

Bay Lakes provides only basic property management functionalities with no additional modules or integrations reported. Its limited features mean it cannot compete with CiHMS’s extensive capabilities. Edge: CiHMS.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Bay Lakes or CiHMS?

CiHMS’s 4.92/5 customer support rating is complemented by recent reviews citing responsive, professional service. Users report timely assistance, especially critical during busy periods, with comments like, “Support team is professional and on-time,” and “Customer service is very helpful and quick to respond.”

Bay Lakes, with a 0/5 rating and no recent reviews, offers no current insights into support quality. The absence of recent feedback suggests it may not be actively maintaining support standards. Edge: CiHMS.

Which Has More Integrations: Bay Lakes or CiHMS?

CiHMS integrates with three verified partners, including SiteMinder, DerbySoft, and Easyway, facilitating multi-channel distribution and revenue management. Its open architecture allows for seamless connectivity with other systems, essential for hotel chains and multi-property groups.

Bay Lakes has no verified integrations, limiting its ability to connect with modern distribution channels or ancillary systems. This restricts scalability and operational flexibility. Edge: CiHMS.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Bay Lakes or CiHMS?

Since Bay Lakes has no recent reviews, there’s no current user feedback or scores to gauge hotel satisfaction. CiHMS’s recent reviews, with an average rating of 81.25, reflect high satisfaction across diverse segments, including resorts and city hotels. Users frequently mention increased efficiency and ease of management.

Given the more recent and abundant feedback, CiHMS clearly holds the higher rating among hoteliers today. Edge: CiHMS.

How Much Do Bay Lakes and CiHMS Cost?

Bay Lakes does not publicly disclose its pricing or offer trial options, suggesting a possible custom quote or legacy pricing model. CiHMS charges a base fee of $900, with no ongoing monthly fees or implementation costs, but no free trial is available.

The lack of transparent pricing for Bay Lakes complicates comparison, but CiHMS’s known cost structure and clear value proposition make budgeting easier.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Bay Lakes?

• Hotels that value a long-standing, industry veteran system with a focus on core property management.
• Teams that prefer traditional software with fewer modules and simple operations.
• Hotels that operate in markets where Bay Lakes has a regional presence, such as North America.
• Properties with minimal need for integrations or advanced features.
• Not ideal if your hotel aims for modern, cloud-based solutions with active support and frequent updates.

What Type of Hotel Should Use CiHMS?

• Hotels seeking a comprehensive, cloud-based PMS with advanced features like revenue management and multi-channel integration.
• Teams that prioritize real-time data access and mobile functionality.
• Properties with complex operations requiring automation, detailed reporting, and customization.
• Hotels in Asia, the Middle East, or Africa, where CiHMS has regional presence and support.
• Not ideal if your hotel prefers legacy systems or has very limited budgets for software.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference is that CiHMS is actively supported, feature-rich, and highly rated, while Bay Lakes remains unreviewed in recent years, raising questions about its current relevancy. For hotels that need modern tools, real-time data, and reliable support, CiHMS offers a safer, more proven solution.

Choose Bay Lakes only if your hotel values a traditional approach, operates in regions where it’s established, and does not require ongoing innovation. For most hotels today, especially those seeking adaptability and confidence backed by recent user feedback, CiHMS is the clearly superior option.

In summary, the decision hinges on your hotel’s need for modern features, regional support, and active customer feedback. Given the data, CiHMS stands out as the more dependable, feature-rich, and user-approved choice.