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 218 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:
Carlito shines .
STAY shines when it comes to guest experience optimization — especially for brand properties (0.0/5) , with exclusive features like Mobile App and Mobile Checkout.
Side-by-side ratings based on 218 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | Contact sales | From $300/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 3 | 215 |
After analyzing 218 verified reviews, Carlito users most value its , while STAY users highlight guest experience optimization, mobile and user experience, operational efficiency. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Guest Experience Optimization
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Mobile and User Experience
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Operational Efficiency
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Support and Service
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CMS and Customization
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Integration Capabilities
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Analytics and Reporting
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How each product ranks among Hotel Guest Apps 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) ▾ | #30 0 reviews | #9 10 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #25 2 reviews | #4 83 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | — | #2 89 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | — | #2 24 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #33 1 reviews | #2 77 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #37 0 reviews | #2 88 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #25 1 reviews | #3 91 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | — | #6 7 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | — | #5 27 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #18 3 reviews | #3 112 reviews |
| Asia Pacific | — | #6 3 reviews |
| Middle East | — | #7 2 reviews |
Choosing between Carlito App by Carlito and STAY Guest App by STAY hinges on your hotel’s specific needs and operational goals. Both aim to enhance the guest experience and streamline hotel operations, but they approach these goals differently. Carlito offers a customizable guest concierge with operational tools, while STAY functions as a comprehensive guest experience platform with a strong focus on digitization and integration. Which aligns better with your hotel’s priorities?
The key differentiator is their market presence and review data. STAY boasts over 200 recent reviews and a significantly higher overall rating, making it the more proven choice for hotels seeking reliability and extensive functionality. Does your hotel value a platform with proven scale and consistent feedback?
With over 200 recent reviews and a 3/5 overall rating, STAY Guest App clearly outperforms Carlito App, which has only 3 reviews and a 0/5 rating. STAY’s broader feature set, deeper integrations, and larger hotel user base make it the more dependable choice for modern hoteliers.
If your hotel needs a robust, well-supported guest app with proven results across multiple regions and hotel types, STAY is the clear winner. For more personalized, concierge-style solutions, Carlito might appeal, but its limited reviews and feature set weaken its case.
Both Carlito and STAY aim to improve guest engagement and streamline operations, but they do so differently. Carlito emphasizes customization, allowing hotels to build a personalized app experience, focusing on features like chat, push notifications, and hotel info, mainly targeting resorts and boutique hotels. STAY, however, offers a broader platform that digitizes services like reservations, room service, and guest info, with proven success in large hotel chains and resorts.
Carlito’s appeal lies in its flexibility and ease of use, making it suitable for hotels prioritizing guest personalization and boutique services. STAY's extensive integrations and proven impact on operational efficiency appeal to larger hotel groups seeking scalable solutions. Do you prefer tailored guest interactions or comprehensive service digitization?
Edge: STAY Guest App.
If your hotel needs a flexible, customizable guest app that enhances personal guest interactions and promotes cross-selling, Carlito is the better fit. Its user-friendly interface and customization options appeal to resorts and boutique hotels aiming for a tailored guest experience.
Conversely, if your hotel prioritizes operational efficiency, integration with other hotel systems, and proven results in reducing queues and increasing revenue, STAY is the clear choice. Its extensive feature set, including mobile checkouts, guest profiles, and robust integrations, suits hotel chains and larger properties looking for a comprehensive digital solution.
For smaller resorts or boutique hotels prioritizing personalized guest engagement, Carlito may suffice. For larger hotels or chains focused on digitization and operational impact, STAY is the more suitable choice.
Edge: STAY Guest App.
Both platforms score high on ease of use, with Carlito rated 4.67/5 and STAY slightly higher at 4.78/5. Carlito’s onboarding process is praised for simplicity, and users find it easy to update and customize content, with reviews highlighting its structured design.
STAY’s user interface is described as intuitive and friendly, with a CMS that simplifies content management for hotel staff. Its mobile app is also lauded for straightforward navigation, making it easy for staff and guests to manage tasks seamlessly.
Edge: STAY Guest App.
Carlito offers 7 shared features, including basic guest information, communication, and program management, but lacks advanced features. STAY, however, offers 7 unique features like mobile app access, chatbots, automated replies, guest profiles, message routing, mobile checkout, and app download, significantly expanding functionality.
STAY’s features allow for more automation, personalization, and operational control, with capabilities designed for large-scale hotel management. Carlito's features are simpler, suitable for basic guest engagement but less capable for complex operations.
Edge: STAY Guest App.
Both platforms enjoy high support ratings, with Carlito rated 4.67/5 and STAY slightly higher at 4.83/5. Carlito’s support team is praised for openness to improvements and ease of contact, while STAY’s support is known for quick, helpful responses and dedicated assistance, as reflected in client success stories.
Reviews highlight STAY’s reliable support during hotel digitization projects, especially large chain implementations. Carlito’s smaller support team may offer more personalized service but with less extensive coverage.
Edge: STAY Guest App.
STAY offers 20 verified partners, including major PMS and distribution systems like Hotelkit, Apaleo, and SiteMinder, enabling seamless data flow and operational integration. Carlito, with only 2 verified partners, has limited integration options, including Mews and ASA Hotelsoftware.
The broader integration ecosystem of STAY allows it to fit into diverse hotel tech stacks, making it more adaptable for hotels with complex system requirements. Carlito’s limited integrations restrict its flexibility for larger or more technologically advanced hotels.
Edge: STAY Guest App.
STAY’s review score of 3/5 is based on 200+ recent reviews, with high marks from large resorts, luxury hotels, and chains like NH Hotels and Riu. Carlito’s 0/5 rating is from just 3 reviews, lacking recent feedback and hotel segment data, making it less reliable.
The volume and recency of STAY reviews provide a more accurate picture of its performance and hotel satisfaction. Hoteliers consistently praise STAY’s impact on operational efficiency and guest experience.
Edge: STAY Guest App.
Carlito’s pricing details are not publicly available, indicating a likely custom quote or enterprise pricing model. STAY charges a flat $300 monthly fee, with no setup or implementation fees, making it transparent and predictable for hotel budgeting.
If your hotel requires a clear, straightforward pricing model, STAY’s flat fee simplifies financial planning. The lack of publicly available pricing for Carlito makes direct comparison difficult, but it suggests the platform might be tailored to larger or enterprise clients.
Carlito is suitable for small to medium resorts, boutique hotels, or properties looking to enhance guest communication without heavy infrastructure needs.
STAY is best for sizable hotels, chains, or properties committed to a digital transformation that impacts multiple operational areas.
Core Difference: Carlito focuses on personalized guest engagement with customizable features, while STAY offers a broad, integrated platform designed to digitize and streamline hotel operations.
When to choose Carlito: If your hotel seeks a flexible, easy-to-manage guest app primarily for boutique or resort settings, emphasizing guest personalization and cross-selling, Carlito’s simplicity and customization make it suitable.
When to choose STAY: If your hotel needs a proven, scalable solution that improves operational efficiency, reduces queues, and increases revenue across multiple departments, STAY’s extensive features and integrations stand out.
Final verdict: For most hotels with ambitions of digital transformation and operational impact, STAY is the more dependable, feature-rich solution backed by extensive recent reviews, higher ratings, and broader industry presence. Carlito may serve niche needs but currently lacks the scale and proven success to compete at a larger level.
According to HTR's product database, Carlito App and STAY Guest App share 7 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| App download | ||
| Automated Replies | ||
| Chatbot | ||
| Message Routing | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Mobile Checkout |
We analyzed 8 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
No published case study for this goal yet.
"Thanks to STAY, we offer our guests an interaction tool with our staff. We can make real-time decisions with it. This simplifies our staff's duties at the same time. The guest expe..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
"Implementing STAY contributed to a significant increase in our revenue and customer satisfaction. The app pays for itself. We have seen significant increases in consumption for all..."
Ranks higher for
What hoteliers love
Multiple reviews highlight how STAY dramatically enhances guest experience by providing digital and sustainable ways for guests to access information... Multiple reviews highlight how STAY dramatically enhances guest experience by providing digital and sustainable ways for guests to access information and services. Features like real-time updates, mobile service ordering, and the ability to make restaurant reservations reduce wait times and provide convenience.
The app's user interface and mobile experience are lauded for being intuitive and easy to navigate. Users find it simple to update information and man... The app's user interface and mobile experience are lauded for being intuitive and easy to navigate. Users find it simple to update information and manage content, whether they are hotel staff or guests.
STAY aids in improving hotel operational efficiency by allowing quicker handling of guest requests, optimized internal processes, and reduced front de... STAY aids in improving hotel operational efficiency by allowing quicker handling of guest requests, optimized internal processes, and reduced front desk lines. The tool facilitates sustainable practices by digitizing traditional paper-based services, aiding hotels in their sustainability goals.
Where hoteliers push back
The CMS is highlighted for its ease of use and customization capabilities, though users have indicated some areas for improvement, particularly more f... The CMS is highlighted for its ease of use and customization capabilities, though users have indicated some areas for improvement, particularly more flexibility in design and functionality.
Users appreciate STAY's robust integration capabilities with various internal applications and systems, including PMS and CRM systems. These integrati... Users appreciate STAY's robust integration capabilities with various internal applications and systems, including PMS and CRM systems. These integrations streamline data management and help provide a seamless experience for both staff and guests.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Carlito App and STAY Guest App share many core Hotel Guest Apps features, but each has unique capabilities. Carlito App offers 2 verified integration partners, while STAY Guest App offers 20. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. STAY Guest App leads in ease of use at 4.8/5 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.
Carlito App: No. STAY Guest App: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Hotel Guest Apps 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. Carlito has an HT Score of 0 and STAY has 47. 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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