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

The Decision

When evaluating guest communication apps for your hotel, Guestnet by Guestnet and The Hotel Communication Network (HCN) offer distinct solutions. Guestnet emphasizes seamless digital engagement, with a broad feature set and extensive integrations, while HCN focuses on self-service automation, especially in-room voice assistance. Your choice depends on your hotel’s priorities: guest engagement or operational automation.

Guestnet has a significantly larger user base and recent reviews, making it a more proven option for hotels seeking innovative guest communication tools. Do you prioritize comprehensive guest interaction or in-room automation?

Is Guestnet or HCN Better for Hotels?

Guestnet and HCN aim to improve guest experience—yet they approach it differently. Guestnet offers a fully customizable web app accessible via browsers, eliminating the need for guests to download apps, while HCN specializes in self-service automation, especially through voice and in-room interfaces. Guestnet’s platform supports multi-channel content distribution, making it adaptable for various hotel types.

Guestnet’s reviews are plentiful and recent, with over 150 reviews in the last six months, compared to HCN's none. Guestnet boasts a 96.36 HTR Score, a 4.74/5 ease of use rating, and a 4.82/5 support score, reflecting strong user satisfaction. Conversely, HCN lacks recent reviews and measurable ratings, which diminishes confidence in its current performance.

This contrast raises the question: Are you looking to enhance digital communication broadly or focus on automating guest requests and room services? Guestnet currently offers more proven functionality and recent feedback, making it a more reliable choice.

Guestnet vs HCN: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a flexible, easy-to-implement guest app that enhances communication and upselling, Guestnet is the better fit. It suits properties aiming for high engagement, especially those wanting to integrate with existing PMS and hotel management systems.

If your focus is on automating in-room services—like voice-controlled requests or digital self-service—HCN could appeal, especially if in-room automation aligns with your operational goals. However, with no recent reviews or detailed customer feedback, HCN’s suitability remains uncertain.

For hotels prioritizing proven, extensive features and recent user satisfaction, Guestnet clearly outperforms HCN. Conversely, if in-room automation is your primary goal and you’re comfortable with limited third-party validation, HCN might be considered, but its untested reputation makes it a riskier choice.

Is Guestnet or HCN Easier to Use?

Guestnet’s UI scores a 4.74/5, with reviews highlighting its intuitive, straightforward design that simplifies onboarding and daily use. Customers frequently praise its user-friendly interface, which minimizes staff training and accelerates adoption.

HCN, however, offers limited information regarding its user experience, with no recent reviews or ratings available. The lack of recent customer feedback suggests uncertainty about its ease of use and implementation.

Edge: Guestnet.

Which Has Better Features: Guestnet or HCN?

Guestnet provides 12 verified shared features, including multi-channel publishing, PMS integration, customizable menus, and digital guest compendiums, which contribute to an engaging and flexible guest experience. Its added integrations with platforms like ASA, Hotelkit, and Mews expand its capabilities further.

HCN’s features are less transparent, with only three verified integrations—Oracle Hospitality and its own platform—and no detailed feature list. It lacks the breadth of functionalities that Guestnet offers, making it less versatile.

Edge: Guestnet.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Guestnet or HCN?

Guestnet’s support team scores a 4.82/5, with reviews emphasizing their availability and helpfulness. Guests particularly appreciate rapid responses and clear communication, which ease the onboarding process and ongoing use.

In contrast, HCN has no recent reviews or detailed support ratings, leaving its customer service reputation uncertain. Without user feedback, trust in its support quality is limited.

Edge: Guestnet.

Which Has More Integrations: Guestnet or HCN?

Guestnet integrates with 20 verified partners, including major property management and booking platforms such as Stayntouch, Mews, and ASA Hotelsoftware. Its extensive integration network supports a unified hotel ecosystem.

HCN has only three verified integrations, with limited details on partner platforms. Its narrower integration scope constrains potential automation and connectivity options.

Edge: Guestnet.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Guestnet or HCN?

Guestnet receives high praise across segments, especially from boutique and city-center hotels, with a 95% likelihood to recommend. Its recent reviews highlight consistent satisfaction with user experience and functionality.

HCN has no recent reviews or ratings, so its perceived value remains speculative. Without recent feedback, it’s impossible to assess user satisfaction compared to Guestnet’s proven track record.

Edge: Guestnet.

How Much Do Guestnet and HCN Cost?

Guestnet’s pricing starts at $500 per month with no trial or implementation fees, offering transparent costs. HCN’s pricing is unavailable, which complicates direct comparison, but the lack of transparent pricing may indicate a less flexible or less accessible model.

Guestnet’s clear pricing makes budgeting straightforward for your hotel. The absence of HCN’s pricing details suggests it may require direct vendor negotiations, which could lead to unforeseen costs.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Guestnet?

• Hotels looking for a modern, customizable guest communication platform.
• Properties aiming to increase guest engagement through digital channels.
• Hotels with existing PMS systems seeking seamless integration.
• Hotels interested in upselling and personalized guest offers.
• Teams that prefer a proven, well-supported system.

Not ideal if your hotel relies heavily on in-room automation or voice-controlled services without a focus on broader guest communication.

What Type of Hotel Should Use HCN?

• Hotels prioritizing in-room automation and voice-assisted guest services.
• Properties seeking to reduce staff workload via self-service solutions.
• Hotels with a tech-savvy guest base comfortable with digital interfaces.
• Teams that want to control guest self-service under their own branding.
• Hotels focusing on mission-critical guest service automation.

Not ideal if your hotel requires a flexible, multi-channel guest communication platform or values extensive integrations and recent user feedback.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Guestnet stands out as the more established, well-reviewed solution for guest communication and digital engagement. Its extensive feature set, high user satisfaction, and broad integration network make it the more reliable choice for most hotels.

HCN offers a niche focus on in-room automation and voice-assisted services, which may appeal to properties with a strong automation strategy. However, with no recent reviews or wide adoption evidence, it remains a less tested option.

If your hotel seeks a proven, feature-rich guest app with extensive support and integrations, Guestnet is the clear winner. Choose HCN only if in-room voice automation and self-service at the room level are your priority, and you’re willing to accept the higher risk.