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 332 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:
DOWHAT shines .
Simplotel shines in ease of use and customer support — especially for brand properties (5.0/5) , with exclusive features like Mobile optimized/responsive and Urgency messaging.
Side-by-side ratings based on 332 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | Contact sales | From $500/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 0 | 332 |
After analyzing 332 verified reviews, DOWHAT users most value its , 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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Service and Support
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User-friendly interface and design
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Customer experience enhancement
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Integration and Optimization
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Customization and Flexibility
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Analytics and Reporting
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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) ▾ | #45 0 reviews | #5 127 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #45 0 reviews | #6 163 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #39 0 reviews | #9 20 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | #30 0 reviews | #14 3 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #46 0 reviews | #6 139 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #42 0 reviews | #4 187 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #42 0 reviews | #4 101 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #36 0 reviews | #9 15 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #42 0 reviews | #13 11 reviews |
| Europe | — | #35 2 reviews |
| Asia Pacific ▾ | #32 0 reviews | #2 307 reviews |
| Middle East | — | #15 3 reviews |
Choosing a booking engine for your hotel involves balancing functionality, ease of use, support, and cost. With DOWHAT’s Booking Engine and Simplotel’s Booking Engine both targeting online reservations, the real differentiator is their market presence, features, and user feedback. DOWHAT’s offering is virtually unreviewed, while Simplotel’s has a strong reputation with nearly 300 reviews and recent positive feedback. Does this mean Simplotel is the safer choice?
DOWHAT’s Booking Engine promises automation, integration, and real-time updates, but with zero reviews, there’s no recent customer feedback to validate its claims. In contrast, Simplotel boasts a 91.32/100 HTR Score and a 4.75/5 overall rating from nearly 300 reviews, with recent data confirming high hotel satisfaction. Hoteliers frequently praise Simplotel’s mobile responsiveness, ease of navigation, and detailed analytics, which are absent from DOWHAT’s profile. Are you comfortable making a decision without recent customer insights?
If your hotel needs a simple, integrated booking engine with advanced analytics and a broad feature set, Simplotel is the clear choice, especially given its proven user satisfaction. If your team is seeking a highly customizable, potentially cost-effective solution and are willing to take a chance on an unreviewed product, DOWHAT might be worth exploring—though the risk is higher. Based on recent reviews and market presence, Simplotel’s stronger reputation makes it the safer investment for most hotels.
Simplotel’s platform is rated 4.65/5 for ease of use, with users highlighting its intuitive interface and straightforward setup process. Hoteliers mention that onboarding is smooth, supported by responsive customer service, with many reviews praising the user-friendly design. DOWHAT’s lack of reviews leaves its usability unknown, but the absence of recent feedback suggests uncertainty. Edge: Simplotel.
Simplotel offers 37 unique features, including mobile optimization, multi-currency, multi-lingual support, abandoned cart recovery, loyalty integration, and extensive marketing tools—none of which DOWHAT provides. DOWHAT’s feature set appears minimal or unspecified, with no evidence of advanced functionalities like automated emails, social media integration, or A/B testing. Given the feature count and user feedback, Simplotel’s capabilities are more comprehensive. Edge: Simplotel.
Simplotel’s customer support reviews are highly positive, scoring 4.69/5, with hoteliers appreciating prompt, helpful assistance and ongoing engagement. Review quotes highlight “very good support” and “responsive team,” reinforcing a trustworthy support experience. DOWHAT’s support rating is unavailable, leaving its service quality uncertain. Based on existing data, Simplotel provides a more reliable support structure. Edge: Simplotel.
Simplotel integrates with 22 verified partners, including major players like Cloudbeds, Triptease, and RateGain, offering robust connectivity. DOWHAT has only 2 verified partners, Oracle Hospitality and DOWHAT itself, indicating limited integration options. This broader integration ecosystem grants hotels more flexibility and automation. Given the data, Simplotel’s extensive integration network gives it a distinct advantage. Edge: Simplotel.
With nearly 300 reviews in the past six months, Simplotel’s rating of 4.75/5 reflects consistent hotel satisfaction across segments, including resorts, boutique hotels, and branded properties. DOWHAT’s lack of reviews makes it impossible to gauge hotel sentiment or performance. Recent feedback indicates high approval for Simplotel’s features and support. Based on current ratings, Simplotel is the better-rated platform. Edge: Simplotel.
DOWHAT’s pricing information isn’t available, which complicates budgeting decisions. In contrast, Simplotel charges $500/month, with no implementation or setup fees, providing a transparent cost structure. This predictable pricing makes it easier for hotels to plan their technology investments. If budget transparency is key, Simplotel offers a clear advantage.
DOWHAT’s Booking Engine offers the allure of customization and potential integration but remains untested through recent customer reviews. It might suit hotels with in-house tech resources and specific needs not met by standard solutions.
Simplotel, with its strong recent review scores, extensive features, and broad integrations, stands out as a reliable choice for hoteliers serious about increasing direct bookings and operational efficiency. Its user-friendly interface and proven support make it ideal for properties of all sizes seeking a scalable, proven platform.
If your priority is a well-reviewed, feature-rich booking engine with solid support and integration, go with Simplotel. It’s the safer, more proven option based on recent hotel feedback.
Choose DOWHAT if you’re willing to experiment with an unreviewed, highly customizable solution, and your team has the capacity to manage the setup. For most hotels, especially those emphasizing reliability and growth, Simplotel remains the recommended choice.
According to HTR's product database, Booking Engine by DOWHAT and Simplotel Booking Engine share 0 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| Automated reporting | ||
| Mobile optimized/responsive | ||
| Pooled inventory | ||
| Pre-stay emails | ||
| Tariffs | ||
| Urgency messaging |
Showing top differences. 25 more features differ between these products.
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
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Booking Engine by DOWHAT and Simplotel Booking Engine share many core Booking Engine features, but each has unique capabilities. Booking Engine by DOWHAT offers 2 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. Simplotel Booking Engine leads in ease of use at 4.7/5 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.
Booking Engine by DOWHAT: 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. DOWHAT has an HT Score of 0 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. |
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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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