Gastfreund vs. The Hotel Communication Network (HCN):
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Gastfreund | Hotelcore and The Hotel Communication Network (HCN) hinges on your hotel’s specific needs. Both aim to improve guest communication, but they do so with different approaches and features. Gastfreund focuses on digital guest engagement through a modular app suite, while HCN emphasizes mission-critical, self-service solutions with in-room capabilities. Which one aligns better with your operational goals?

Gastfreund offers a more established presence, with a recent uptick in reviews and a broader international footprint. HCN, despite a longer history, has no recent reviews or measurable market presence. This makes Gastfreund the more data-backed choice for now.

Is Gastfreund | Hotelcore or HCN Better for Hotels?

Gastfreund | Hotelcore and HCN serve the same core purpose—enhancing guest experience—but they do it differently. Gastfreund's platform centers on a versatile, guest-facing app suite, including a digital guest directory, info channel, and push notifications, designed to serve a wide range of hotel types from resorts to boutique hotels. HCN, by contrast, provides mission-critical self-service solutions, particularly through in-room voice capabilities and automation, targeting hotels that want in-room guest assistance.

If your hotel prioritizes digital guest engagement, automating communication on guests’ smartphones, Gastfreund is likely the better fit. Conversely, if your focus is on in-room self-service, voice assistance, and high-touch automation, HCN may better suit your property. Do you prefer a mobile-first approach or in-room automation? The choice depends heavily on your hotel’s service model.

Is Gastfreund | Hotelcore or HCN Easier to Use?

Gastfreund's ease of use is a highlight, with a 4.27/5 rating based on 11 reviews, and onboarding scored at 4.44/5. Users comment on its intuitive interface and straightforward setup, making staff adoption smoother. Its modular design allows properties to pick and choose features, reducing complexity.

HCN currently has no recent reviews or ratings, making its user experience less transparent. Considering the limited data, Gastfreund clearly leads in usability. If quick adoption and user-friendly interfaces matter to your team, Gastfreund's existing positive feedback gives it the edge.

Edge: Gastfreund | Hotelcore.

Which Has Better Features: Gastfreund | Hotelcore or HCN?

Gastfreund offers 11 shared features, including digital guest directories, push notifications, multilingual support, and integrations with major PMS systems like RoomRaccoon and Mews. It also provides modules such as Hotel Newspaper and Hotelboard, offering diverse communication channels.

HCN provides only one unique feature: guest profiles, but no other features are listed. Gastfreund's broader feature set supports various guest engagement strategies, while HCN’s limited features may restrict flexibility. If comprehensive guest communication tools are critical, Gastfreund’s feature-rich platform is preferable.

Edge: Gastfreund | Hotelcore.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Gastfreund | Hotelcore or HCN?

Gastfreund receives a 4.27/5 support rating based on recent reviews, with users praising quick, friendly, and solution-oriented responses. Reviewers mention professional support and fast implementation, reflecting confidence in their customer service.

HCN has no recent reviews or ratings, leaving its support quality unverified. With clear positive feedback for Gastfreund, it’s the safer choice for hotels valuing reliable support. If support quality influences your decision, Gastfreund’s recent reviews give it a decisive edge.

Edge: Gastfreund | Hotelcore.

Which Has More Integrations: Gastfreund | Hotelcore or HCN?

Gastfreund integrates with 13 verified partners, including Winhotel, SiteMinder, and Little Hotelier, covering a broad spectrum of PMS, distribution, and booking tools. HCN has just 3 verified integrations, with notable partners like Oracle Hospitality and Stayntouch.

The extensive integration network in Gastfreund supports smoother operations and data flow, accommodating more property management and distribution systems. For properties relying on multiple platforms, Gastfreund’s partner ecosystem offers a clear advantage.

Edge: Gastfreund | Hotelcore.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Gastfreund | Hotelcore or HCN?

Gastfreund’s recent reviews, with a total of 11, reflect a generally positive sentiment, particularly around ease of use, support, and value. The NPS score of 8.18/5 indicates a high likelihood to recommend. HCN, with no recent reviews or scores, offers no comparable data, but the absence of feedback suggests limited current user engagement.

Given the recent, positive reviews for Gastfreund, hoteliers rate it higher. If recent feedback and user satisfaction are your metrics, Gastfreund clearly outperforms HCN.

Edge: Gastfreund | Hotelcore.

How Much Do Gastfreund | Hotelcore and HCN Cost?

Gastfreund charges a base price of $400 per month, with no mention of freemium options, trials, or additional implementation fees. HCN’s pricing is not publicly available, making direct comparison difficult.

This transparent pricing from Gastfreund simplifies budgeting decisions. Without available HCN pricing, Gastfreund’s clear cost structure gives it an advantage for budget planning.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Gastfreund | Hotelcore?

• Hotels that want to elevate the guest experience through digital engagement, especially via mobile apps.
• Properties seeking to automate communication, reduce front desk inquiries, and increase ancillary revenue.
• Resorts, boutique hotels, and vacation rentals that benefit from multilingual support and diverse communication modules.
• Teams that prioritize easy onboarding, positive support, and proven integrations.

Not ideal if your hotel has no interest in mobile guest apps or digital communication strategies. Also, if you rely solely on in-room solutions or voice automation, Gastfreund’s primary focus may be less aligned.

Not ideal if your hotel primarily needs in-room voice assistance or automation solutions rather than mobile engagement.

What Type of Hotel Should Use HCN?

• Hotels prioritizing mission-critical in-room guest self-service and voice capabilities.
• Properties seeking to automate guest requests directly in-room, with real-time assistance.
• Hotels that want to enhance operational efficiency through in-room automation and 24/7 guest support.
• Teams comfortable with deploying in-room voice technology and self-service tools.

Not ideal if your hotel’s guest communication strategy centers on mobile apps, digital directories, or non-in-room guest engagement. Also, if your hotel has limited in-room technology infrastructure, HCN’s focus on in-room automation might be less suitable.

Not ideal if your primary goal is mobile guest engagement rather than in-room automation.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Gastfreund | Hotelcore and HCN aim to elevate guest experiences but target different aspects of communication. Gastfreund's modular, app-based approach is more suited for hotels looking to enhance mobile guest engagement, while HCN excels in in-room self-service automation, especially with voice capabilities.

Choose Gastfreund if your goal is to improve digital guest communication across multiple channels, especially if recent reviews and integrations matter. Opt for HCN if your focus is on in-room automation and real-time voice support, but note the lack of current reviews.

For most hotels seeking proven, user-rated solutions, Gastfreund’s recent positive feedback and broader feature set make it the safer, more reliable choice. If your property emphasizes in-room automation, HCN remains a niche option but lacks recent validation.

This comprehensive comparison should help you decide based on your hotel’s operational needs, guest engagement goals, and support preferences.