Elina PMS vs. ThinkReservations PMS:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing a property management system (PMS) for your hotel is a critical step toward streamlining operations, increasing revenue, and improving guest satisfaction. Both Elina PMS and ThinkReservations aim to serve these needs but differ significantly in their features, user base, and maturity. Elina PMS offers extensive integration options and a broad regional presence, while ThinkReservations shines in ease of use and customer support, backed by a larger and more recent review base. How do you decide which aligns best with your hotel’s priorities?

Is Elina PMS or ThinkReservations Better for Hotels?

Elina PMS is a comprehensive cloud-based platform designed to cater to diverse property types, including hotels, vacation rentals, and serviced apartments. It offers over 35 shared features plus 14 unique capabilities, such as revenue management, guest CRM, and integrated ID scanners, making it suitable for properties needing advanced operational tools.

ThinkReservations, on the other hand, provides a more streamlined experience, focusing on small to mid-sized properties like B&Bs, boutique hotels, and vacation rentals. It offers 35 shared features and 4 exclusive ones, notably gift vouchers, SMS guest communication, a mobile app, and shift planning, emphasizing simplicity and guest engagement.

The core difference lies in complexity: Elina PMS is feature-rich but may require more training, whereas ThinkReservations prioritizes ease of use and quick onboarding. If your property requires advanced revenue management and integrations, Elina PMS might be the better fit. Conversely, if you seek a straightforward system that improves operational speed, ThinkReservations could serve you better. Which approach aligns with your operational style?

Elina PMS vs ThinkReservations: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel operates in multiple regions, manages a large portfolio, or needs detailed revenue control, Elina PMS is a solid choice. Its regional presence spans North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and South America, making it ideal for international chains or properties with complex needs. Its high review volume (25 reviews) and recent feedback, although limited, show consistent satisfaction among users.

If your hotel is primarily in North America, with a focus on B&Bs, inns, or boutique properties, ThinkReservations is the clearer choice. It boasts a much larger user base with 356 reviews, including recent feedback (4 reviews in the last six months), and a rating of 4.88/5, reflecting high user satisfaction. Its strengths lie in automation, guest communication, and OTA integration.

For hoteliers seeking extensive features, including revenue management, guest CRM, and on-premise options, go with Elina PMS. If your focus is rapid deployment, ease of use, and reliable guest engagement, ThinkReservations is preferable. Who is your property’s most critical priority: complex operations or simplicity?

Is Elina PMS or ThinkReservations Easier to Use?

Elina PMS has an ease of use score of 4.3/5 based on user reviews but is often described as flexible and feature-heavy, which can lead to a steeper learning curve. Onboarding scores are slightly lower at 4.39/5, and some users note that navigating the system and managing reports can be challenging without support.

ThinkReservations excels with a user rating of 4.82/5, praised for its intuitive interface, straightforward onboarding, and excellent customer support. Users highlight that the platform feels like “adding another employee,” with minimal training required and a quick start-up process.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Has Better Features: Elina PMS or ThinkReservations?

Elina PMS offers a total of 49 features—35 shared and 14 unique—such as a revenue management module, guest CRM, ID & passport scanning, and automated space optimization. These cater to hotels needing advanced operational controls, automation, and a centralized messaging system.

ThinkReservations provides 39 features—35 shared and 4 exclusive—focusing on guest communication, mobile app, gift vouchers, and shift planning. Its features streamline guest engagement and operational tasks but lack the extensive revenue management tools of Elina PMS.

In terms of feature count, Elina PMS offers more comprehensive capabilities, especially for larger or more complex properties. For properties prioritizing advanced automation and data-driven revenue tools, Elina PMS is the better choice. For those seeking straightforward guest communication and operational features, ThinkReservations is sufficient. Which set of features aligns with your property’s needs?

Which Has Better Customer Support: Elina PMS or ThinkReservations?

Elina PMS has a high customer support rating of 4.7/5, with reviews praising the responsiveness and helpfulness of their support team. Users mention that support staff are attentive, though some note that phone support could be more consistent.

ThinkReservations scores slightly higher at 4.82/5, with reviews emphasizing their "fantastic support" and "easy-to-access" team. Users find support to be "very knowledgeable" and praise the quick resolution of issues.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Has More Integrations: Elina PMS or ThinkReservations?

Elina PMS integrates with 20 verified partners, including industry leaders like SiteMinder, RevControl, and Lighthouse, offering extensive options for channel management and revenue tools. However, some integration processes have been described as cumbersome and costly by users.

ThinkReservations connects with 16 verified partners, including major OTAs like Airbnb, Expedia, and TripAdvisor, with shared integrations with Elina PMS such as Stripe and Triptease. Its integrations are often praised for their reliability and ease, facilitating seamless OTA management.

For broader, more diverse integrations, Elina PMS has the edge. If your primary need is reliable OTA connectivity with fewer integrations, ThinkReservations suffices. Which integration ecosystem best supports your tech stack?

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Elina PMS or ThinkReservations?

ThinkReservations has a significantly higher overall rating at 4.88/5, based on 356 reviews, with recent feedback from four reviews in the last six months. Users across small boutique and vacation rental segments praise its ease of use, automation, and support, with many describing it as “like adding another employee.”

Elina PMS, with a 4.17/5 rating from 25 reviews, has fewer recent reviews—none in the last six months—and is generally favored for its extensive features and revenue management. However, some users find the system overly complex and report less satisfaction with support.

Given the volume and recency of reviews, ThinkReservations is the higher-rated product among hoteliers. For properties prioritizing high satisfaction and recent positive feedback, it is the preferred option. Do you value proven recent user satisfaction more than feature depth?

How Much Do Elina PMS and ThinkReservations Cost?

Elina PMS’s pricing starts at $700 per month, with no mention of a trial or freemium options, making it a more substantial investment. Its pricing likely reflects its extensive feature set and regional support.

ThinkReservations is priced at $500 per month, also without a trial, and offers a more budget-friendly option for smaller properties or those seeking simplicity. Its lower price point may appeal to hotels with limited budgets or less complex needs.

Cost-wise, ThinkReservations offers a more affordable entry point, whereas Elina PMS’s pricing aligns with larger, feature-rich operations. Which budget aligns with your hotel’s operational ambitions?

What Type of Hotel Should Use Elina PMS?

• Hotels that operate across multiple regions and need consistent global management.
• Properties with large or complex portfolios requiring detailed revenue control.
• Hotels that value extensive integrations with accounting and channel management tools.
• Teams that prefer a highly customizable system with advanced features like guest CRM and revenue management.
• Hotels with the resources for onboarding and staff training on a more complex platform.

Not ideal if:

• Your property is small with basic operational needs.
• You prefer a quick setup or minimal training.
• You have limited technical support or staff capacity to handle a feature-heavy system.

Elina PMS suits larger, multi-property operations or those needing in-depth revenue and guest management tools.

What Type of Hotel Should Use ThinkReservations?

• Small to mid-sized hotels, B&Bs, inns, and boutique properties seeking simplicity.
• Hotels prioritizing guest engagement features like SMS communication and upselling.
• Properties that want quick onboarding and ease of use without sacrificing critical operational features.
• Teams that value reliable OTA integration and excellent customer support.
• Hotels aiming for automation and operational efficiency with minimal fuss.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel requires extensive revenue management or on-premise capabilities.
• You need advanced features like ID scanners or automated space optimization.
• Your operation involves managing multiple regions or complex compliance needs.

ThinkReservations is perfect for properties seeking a straightforward, reliable PMS that enhances guest experience and operational speed.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Elina PMS offers a broad, feature-rich platform tailored for larger, multi-property, or international hotels that need detailed revenue control and extensive integrations. Its strengths lie in automation, guest management, and regional adaptability, but it requires a learning curve and a bigger budget.

ThinkReservations excels in its simplicity, ease of onboarding, and high customer satisfaction ratings, making it ideal for small to mid-sized properties in North America. Its focus on guest communication, automation, and OTA connectivity provides a quick path to operational efficiency.

If your hotel needs an advanced, globally capable system and you have the resources, Elina PMS is the better choice. For properties prioritizing ease, support, and recent positive reviews, ThinkReservations is the recommended option.

Ultimately, your decision hinges on your property’s size, complexity, regional presence, and budget. Both systems serve distinct segments well but cater to different operational philosophies—choose the one that aligns best with your hotel’s goals.