Despegar vs. SmartHOTEL (Channel Manager):
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Despegar by Despegar.com and SmartHOTEL’s Channel Manager hinges on your hotel’s specific needs. Both products aim to streamline distribution, but their approach, features, and market presence are vastly different. Despegar is a regional player with a limited review footprint and no recent feedback, whereas SmartHOTEL boasts a strong global presence, a thriving user base, and recent, highly positive reviews. So, which one aligns best with your hotel’s goals?

Are you looking for a proven, highly-rated solution with extensive features and support, or a niche platform that might currently lack the reliability you need? Let’s explore the key differences.

Is Despegar or SmartHOTEL Better for Hotels?

Despegar’s platform is mostly unreviewed, with no recent user feedback or detailed feature set, making it difficult to assess its current performance or reliability. In contrast, SmartHOTEL has over 62 recent reviews, a high overall rating of 4.63/5, and a 4.83/5 score for support, indicating a more trusted, well-supported solution.

SmartHOTEL’s recent reviews praise its ease of use, strong customer service, and reliable performance. Despegar, on the other hand, has zero reviews, and its lack of recent feedback suggests limited current adoption or support. Do you need proven, recent evidence of performance?

SmartHOTEL vs Despegar: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a reliable, feature-rich channel manager with a proven track record, go with SmartHOTEL. Its extensive integration list, multi-currency support, and built-in analytics suit mid-sized to large properties seeking automation and data insights.

If your hotel operates in a niche market where Despegar has a presence, and you prefer a regional provider, it could be an option, but the lack of recent reviews and features makes it less advisable. For most hotels prioritizing support, reliability, and proven performance, SmartHOTEL is the clearer choice.

Is Despegar or SmartHOTEL Easier to Use?

SmartHOTEL scores 4.43/5 for ease of use, with users praising its intuitive interface, straightforward onboarding, and simple management of rates and availability. The product is designed for quick staff adoption, with many noting how user-friendly it is.

Despegar, with a score of 0/5 and no reviews, offers no recent usability data. Its lack of feedback suggests either minimal use or unreported usability issues, but the absence of recent user experiences makes it a risky choice. Edge: SmartHOTEL.

Which Has Better Features: Despegar or SmartHOTEL?

SmartHOTEL offers 12 unique features, including PMS connectivity, multi-currency support, inventory management, 2-way real-time integrations, and analytics dashboards—features that Despegar does not provide or mention. These capabilities support dynamic pricing, automation, and insightful reporting.

Despegar has no verified features listed, making it difficult to compare directly. Given the extensive feature set of SmartHOTEL, the edge clearly goes to it for comprehensive functionality and operational control.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Despegar or SmartHOTEL?

SmartHOTEL’s support scores 4.83/5, with many reviews highlighting quick responses, knowledgeable staff, and proactive communication. Clients appreciate the dedicated attention and the ability to request custom features at no extra cost.

Despegar, with no recent reviews, offers no support ratings or feedback. The lack of recent customer satisfaction data makes it hard to gauge reliability. Based on available data, Edge: SmartHOTEL.

Which Has More Integrations: Despegar or SmartHOTEL?

SmartHOTEL boasts 38 verified partners, integrating with popular PMS, GDS, and OTA platforms like Kwentra, Paxxio, RevControl, and Sirvoy. These integrations enable smoother operations and reduce manual updates.

Despegar’s platform has no verified partners listed, suggesting limited or no current integrations. For seamless multi-channel management, SmartHOTEL takes the lead.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Despegar or SmartHOTEL?

SmartHOTEL’s recent reviews consistently rate it above 4.5/5 across hotel segments, especially in city center, boutique, and independent hotels. Reviewers praise its stability, ease of use, and customer support.

Despegar has no recent reviews, so its hotel ratings are unknown. Given the recent, high ratings for SmartHOTEL, it clearly holds a higher reputation among users today. Edge: SmartHOTEL.

How Much Do Despegar and SmartHOTEL Cost?

Despegar does not publicly disclose its pricing, and there is no trial or freemium model available. Its costs, if any, are likely custom or region-specific.

SmartHOTEL charges $300/month with no setup fee, no trial, and a straightforward subscription model. Given the transparency and predictable pricing, SmartHOTEL offers better value for budgeting hotels.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Despegar?

• Hotels operating exclusively in Latin America or regions where Despegar has a strong presence.
• Small properties looking for a simple, regional channel management solution.
• Hotels with minimal need for advanced features or integrations.
• Businesses willing to accept limited support or transparency in pricing.

Not ideal if your hotel prioritizes reliability, broad integrations, or recent user feedback.

What Type of Hotel Should Use SmartHOTEL?

• Hotels of all sizes seeking a robust, feature-rich channel manager.
• Properties that value current user support and high ratings.
• Hotels requiring extensive integrations with PMS, OTAs, and GDS channels.
• Operators looking for automation, analytics, and multi-currency support.
• Teams that want a solution with strong customer service and proven reliability.

Not ideal if your hotel operates in a very niche market with minimal distribution needs or budget constraints.

SmartHOTEL vs Despegar: The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference is that SmartHOTEL offers a well-supported, recent, and highly-rated channel management platform, while Despegar remains largely unreviewed and unsupported based on current data. For hotels looking for a dependable, feature-rich, and globally proven solution, SmartHOTEL is the clear choice.

Choose SmartHOTEL if your priority is proven reliability, extensive integrations, and excellent support backed by recent data. Despegar may only be suitable for small, regional properties with minimal distribution needs, but the lack of recent reviews makes it a risky option.

In summary, unless your hotel operates in a specific Latin American market and has very limited online distribution needs, SmartHOTEL provides the safer, more effective solution to optimize your channel management and revenue.