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

The Decision

Choosing the right hotel guest app is crucial to delivering exceptional guest experiences while streamlining operational workflows. Both The Hotel Communication Network (HCN) and LIKE MAGIC aim to automate guest services, but they approach this goal differently. HCN is a traditional self-service platform focusing on in-room automation, while LIKE MAGIC offers a comprehensive, AI-powered guest journey solution. Which product aligns better with your hotel’s needs?

Is The Hotel Communication Network (HCN) or LIKE MAGIC Better for Hotels?

HCN and LIKE MAGIC both address guest service automation, but their core functionalities diverge significantly. HCN emphasizes in-room self-service, voice assistance, and multilingual support, which is ideal for hotels prioritizing direct room automation and hotel-branded control. LIKE MAGIC, on the other hand, provides a broader guest journey experience—covering booking, communication, upselling, and post-stay—delivering a more holistic approach.

HCN operates mainly in North America with a focus on guest self-service and control, while LIKE MAGIC has a stronger presence in Europe, with a wider array of integrations and a more recent, highly-rated user experience. Do you value in-room automation or a full guest journey platform more?

LIKE MAGIC vs HCN: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a platform that enhances the entire guest experience from booking to post-stay, LIKE MAGIC is the clear choice. It’s rated 77 on the HTRate scale with 26 reviews, all very recent, and 99% of hoteliers recommend it. If your priority is providing self-service amenities and multilingual in-room options, HCN’s focus on guest automation might be preferable, but its lack of recent reviews and poor rating of 0/5 suggest it’s less reliable now.

For hotels aiming to automate guest interactions seamlessly, LIKE MAGIC’s high ease of use (4.96/5), support (4.85/5), and value (4.88/5) make it a more compelling option. Conversely, if your hotel needs local recommendations or multi-lingual in-room features, HCN’s unique offerings are limited but potentially valuable.

Is LIKE MAGIC or HCN Easier to Use?

LIKE MAGIC scores exceptionally high in ease of use at 4.96 out of 5, with onboarding rated at 4.8/5 and recent reviews praising its intuitive interface and simple setup. Users mention that staff adoption is smooth and the platform reduces operational complexity, making it accessible for teams of various sizes.

HCN, on the other hand, scores a 0/5 in ease of use, with no recent reviews to suggest improvements. Past feedback indicates a lack of support familiarity and an outdated interface, which can hinder staff adoption and overall utility. Edge: LIKE MAGIC.

Which Has Better Features: HCN or LIKE MAGIC?

LIKE MAGIC offers 10 core features, including online check-in, digital keys, upsell offers, and AI-driven responses, which are all well-integrated. It also provides tools for guest communication, booking management, and post-stay engagement.

HCN provides only 2 features exclusive to it: local recommendations and automatic translations, both useful but limited in scope. The absence of additional functionalities makes it less versatile than LIKE MAGIC, which covers the full guest journey with more than five times as many features. Edge: LIKE MAGIC.

Which Has Better Customer Support: HCN or LIKE MAGIC?

LIKE MAGIC’s customer support scores 4.85/5, with recent reviews highlighting responsive, knowledgeable support staff that help hotels quickly implement and optimize the platform. Hoteliers note that their support team addresses issues promptly, fostering confidence in ongoing use.

HCN’s support ratings are not available, and the lack of recent reviews or positive feedback suggests support might be inconsistent or outdated. Given the importance of reliable onboarding and troubleshooting, LIKE MAGIC’s support edge is decisive.

Which Has More Integrations: HCN or LIKE MAGIC?

LIKE MAGIC boasts 10 verified partners, including Mews, SALTO Systems, Adyen, Triptease, TrustYou, and others, making it highly compatible with existing hotel tech stacks. It also shares integrations with Oracle Hospitality, enhancing its flexibility.

HCN offers only three verified partners, including Stayntouch and itself, with limited options for expanding or customizing integrations. For hotels seeking an interconnected system with multiple vendors, LIKE MAGIC’s broader integration support is preferable. Edge: LIKE MAGIC.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: HCN or LIKE MAGIC?

LIKE MAGIC’s recent reviews, totaling 26, rate it at 77.11 on the HTRate scale, with a 99% likelihood to recommend. Review comments praise its ease of use, automation, and support, especially among hotels in Europe and serviced apartments.

HCN has no recent reviews or ratings, and its overall score is 0/5. This absence signals a lack of current user satisfaction or active support. For confidence in ongoing performance, LIKE MAGIC holds the edge.

How Much Do HCN and LIKE MAGIC Cost?

LIKE MAGIC charges a $700 monthly fee, with no implementation or setup fees, and no free tier. HCN’s pricing is not publicly available, but it lacks a trial or transparent fee structure, which can be a barrier for some hotels.

The clear, predictable cost structure of LIKE MAGIC makes budgeting easier, while HCN’s opaque pricing may require direct vendor negotiations, adding uncertainty.

What Type of Hotel Should Use HCN?

• Hotels that prioritize in-room automation and voice assistance, especially those with multilingual guest needs.
• Hotels seeking to maintain control over guest self-service under their brand.
• Properties with a focus on in-room amenities and automation, such as boutique hotels or resorts.
• Hotels that prefer a traditional automation approach for direct guest interactions.
• Teams willing to invest in a system that might lack recent support or feature updates.

Not ideal if your hotel values a full guest journey platform or real-time support.

What Type of Hotel Should Use LIKE MAGIC?

• Hotels seeking a comprehensive guest experience platform that covers booking, communication, and post-stay.
• Hotels in Europe or with a strong digital-first strategy looking for high ease of use and quick onboarding.
• Hotels aiming to increase revenue through AI-driven upselling and automation.
• Properties that value integrations with multiple vendor partners and a flexible tech stack.
• Teams that want a highly-rated, modern platform with ongoing product updates and excellent support.

Not ideal if your hotel is seeking a niche, in-room automation solution only or has limited budget flexibility.

LIKE MAGIC vs HCN: The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference lies in their scope: LIKE MAGIC provides a broad, integrated platform designed to improve the entire guest journey, while HCN focuses on in-room self-service automation. Given the strong recent reviews and high ratings, LIKE MAGIC clearly outperforms HCN in overall hotel value.

Hotels that want a flexible, easy-to-use platform with extensive integrations, ongoing support, and proven results should choose LIKE MAGIC. It offers better features, support, and user satisfaction, making it the more reliable choice today.

If your hotel’s primary goal is in-room automation and multilingual self-service, and you are comfortable with limited recent support evidence, HCN might still be relevant. However, its poor review history suggests it’s not the safer bet for future-proofing or seamless guest experiences.

In conclusion, for most hotels seeking a modern, reliable, and comprehensive guest app, LIKE MAGIC is the recommended choice. Its recent momentum, high satisfaction scores, and feature set make it a smart investment in elevating your guest experience and operational efficiency.