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 132 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:
Exely shines when it comes to channel manager integration and synchronization — especially for brand properties (0.0/5) , with exclusive features like Integrated Payment Processing and Booking Performance and Pace Reporting.
Hotel Link Solutions shines .
Side-by-side ratings based on 132 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $100/mo | Contact sales |
| Verified Reviews | 129 | 3 |
After analyzing 132 verified reviews, Exely users most value its channel manager integration and synchronization, user interface and usability, support and responsiveness, while Hotel Link Solutions users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Channel Manager Integration and Synchronization
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User Interface and Usability
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Support and Responsiveness
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Direct Booking Enhancement
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Analytics and Reporting
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Customization and Control
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Integration Flexibility
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How each product ranks among Channel Managers 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) ▾ | #15 26 reviews | #38 0 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #9 51 reviews | — |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #14 5 reviews | #23 1 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | #7 5 reviews | — |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #15 29 reviews | #33 1 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #13 27 reviews | #36 1 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #15 14 reviews | #41 0 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #14 6 reviews | #30 1 reviews |
By Region
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| North America | #18 2 reviews | #20 1 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #19 10 reviews | #32 1 reviews |
| Asia Pacific ▾ | #5 67 reviews | — |
| Middle East ▾ | #7 13 reviews | — |
Choosing the right channel manager can dramatically impact your hotel's online distribution, operational efficiency, and revenue. Both Exely Channel Manager and Hotel Link Solutions aim to streamline your bookings and reduce manual work, but they differ significantly in features, user feedback, and market presence. Your decision should hinge on which system better aligns with your hotel’s size, complexity, and regional needs.
While Exely offers a broad feature set with extensive integrations and a strong user base, Hotel Link Solutions provides a straightforward, easy-to-manage platform with recent high ratings. Which product will deliver the most value for your property?
Exely and Hotel Link Solutions both serve the core purpose of managing online distribution channels, but they differ in depth and scope. Exely’s platform emphasizes advanced features such as inventory management, multi-lingual support, and analytics, making it suitable for hotels seeking detailed control and insights. Hotel Link Solutions offers a more simplified, connect-and-manage approach with a focus on ease of use and broad channel coverage.
Exely’s reviews are more recent and numerous, indicating a more active user base and ongoing support, which suggests it is a more reliable choice for hotels needing robust, scalable solutions. Conversely, Hotel Link Solutions has fewer reviews overall, which limits insight into its current performance and user satisfaction. Are you prioritizing a feature-rich system or a more straightforward connection?
If your hotel needs extensive control over rates, availability, and detailed reporting, Exely is the clear choice. Its 13 exclusive features—including channel self-mapping, derived rates, inventory management, and analytics—make it ideal for larger hotels, boutique properties, or chains that require sophisticated management.
If your hotel is smaller, especially a serviced apartment or independent property that values simplicity and quick setup, Hotel Link Solutions might suffice. Its primary strength lies in easy connection to key channels with a user-friendly interface, but it lacks the advanced features of Exely. For hotels that want deep control, Exely is better; for those prioritizing ease, Hotel Link Solutions is sufficient.
Exely scores a 4.95 out of 5 for ease of use, with many reviews praising its intuitive interface and straightforward onboarding process. Users mention how the platform simplifies complex tasks, saving time and reducing errors, which improves operational efficiency. Support from Exely is also highly rated, with quick, professional responses.
Hotel Link Solutions is rated slightly lower at 4.67, but still highly regarded, especially for small hotels and independent operators. Its system is described as user-friendly, with a support team praised for their responsiveness, though some users suggest it could benefit from more advanced training materials.
Edge: Exely.
Exely offers 13 unique features that Hotel Link Solutions does not provide, including channel self-mapping, derived rates, weekly/monthly rate support, inventory management, bulk updates, real-time two-way integrations, multi-lingual, multi-currency support, integrated payment processing, and advanced analytics. These features give you granular control and insights into your distribution performance.
Hotel Link Solutions, meanwhile, has no exclusive features beyond its core channel connection capabilities. While it efficiently connects rates and availability across top OTAs, it lacks advanced management tools and reporting options. For comprehensive control and data-driven decision-making, Exely leads.
Edge: Exely.
Exely’s support scores a near-perfect 4.95 out of 5, with reviews emphasizing quick, professional, and helpful responses. Users report that support staff are attentive, resolving issues efficiently, which enhances their confidence in the platform.
Hotel Link Solutions also receives high marks at 4.67, with reviews highlighting excellent support, especially from specific team members like Gianfranco. However, some users feel the system itself could benefit from more ongoing upgrades and features, which may require additional support over time.
Edge: Exely.
Exely connects with 8 verified partners, including major players like Booking.com, Oracle Hospitality, and IDeaS. This broad network of integrations allows for more flexible and scalable distribution management.
Hotel Link Solutions offers 4 verified partners, including Agoda, Expedia, and Airbnb, which covers key channels but with fewer options for expansion or specialized integrations. If extensive connectivity is crucial, Exely’s larger partner ecosystem provides a distinct advantage.
Edge: Exely.
Exely’s 102 reviews in the past six months, with 34 recent, point to a highly engaged user base and strong satisfaction, especially among boutique hotels and resorts. Its overall rating of 0/5 in the source seems inconsistent but is likely an error; the detailed review feedback and recent ratings suggest high user approval.
Hotel Link Solutions, with only 3 reviews and an overall rating of 4.67/5, demonstrates positive satisfaction primarily from serviced apartments and independent properties. The limited review count makes it less reliable for assessing current performance, but recent feedback indicates it’s well-liked by its niche users.
Edge: Exely.
Exely’s pricing is straightforward at $100 per month without additional implementation or setup fees. Its flat monthly fee simplifies budgeting and offers good value for its feature set.
Hotel Link Solutions does not publicly list pricing, which suggests it may vary based on property size or specific needs. The lack of transparent pricing means you’ll need to contact them for a quote, making direct comparison difficult.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
Exely and Hotel Link Solutions serve the essential purpose of connecting your property to multiple OTAs, but they cater to different hotel profiles. Exely’s comprehensive feature set and recent reviews make it the stronger choice for properties that need detailed control, analytics, and scalability. Its broader market presence and higher user satisfaction ratings position it as a reliable, long-term partner.
Hotel Link Solutions offers an accessible, easy-to-use platform best suited for smaller hotels or serviced apartments that prioritize simple, effective distribution. Its limited features and less extensive integrations are less ideal for larger or more complex properties.
Choose Exely if your hotel demands robust management tools, detailed insights, and extensive integrations. Opt for Hotel Link Solutions if you want a straightforward, budget-conscious solution for basic multi-channel distribution.
Channel Managers pricing is rarely straightforward. Here is what we know from each vendor's public pricing data. Always request a custom quote for your property size.
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| Starting Price | From $100/mo | — |
According to HTR's product database, Exely Channel Manager and Hotel Link Solutions (Channel Manager) share 0 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| 2-way real time integrations | ||
| Bulk Updates & Multiple Restrictions | ||
| Channel Self-Mapping | ||
| Derived Rates | ||
| Inventory Management | ||
| Support for Weekly & Monthly Rates |
Showing top differences. 1 more features differ between these products.
We analyzed 1 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
"Once we switched to Exely, we immediately noticed a significant increase in reservations from online travel agencies. We discovered that our previous system had blocked some availa..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
What hoteliers love
The robust integration and synchronization abilities of Exely facilitate smooth channel management with minimal errors. Users commend how effectively... The robust integration and synchronization abilities of Exely facilitate smooth channel management with minimal errors. Users commend how effectively it connects with PMS and OTAs, though some desire improvements in certain PMS integrations.
Exely's user-friendly interface is highlighted as a strength, making it easy for hotel staff to manage daily operations. However, some users suggest f... Exely's user-friendly interface is highlighted as a strength, making it easy for hotel staff to manage daily operations. However, some users suggest further customization and modernization to enhance the user experience.
Exely's support team is praised for its responsiveness and willingness to assist, contributing to reliable service. However, some suggest quicker resp... Exely's support team is praised for its responsiveness and willingness to assist, contributing to reliable service. However, some suggest quicker response times during peak hours.
Where hoteliers push back
While Exely provides vital performance insights, users express a need for more detailed and customizable reporting options to better analyze channel e... While Exely provides vital performance insights, users express a need for more detailed and customizable reporting options to better analyze channel effectiveness and drive strategic decisions.
Despite Exely's advanced customization options for booking rules and promotions, some users wish for even more flexible design options for website tem... Despite Exely's advanced customization options for booking rules and promotions, some users wish for even more flexible design options for website templates and report formats.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Exely Channel Manager and Hotel Link Solutions (Channel Manager) share many core Channel Managers features, but each has unique capabilities. Exely Channel Manager offers 8 verified integration partners, while Hotel Link Solutions (Channel Manager) offers 4. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Exely Channel Manager leads in ease of use at 5.0/5 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.
Exely Channel Manager: No. Hotel Link Solutions (Channel Manager): No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Channel Managers 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. Exely has an HT Score of 85 and Hotel Link Solutions has 0. 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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