HotelBuddy Guest App vs. STAY Guest App:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between HotelBuddy Guest App by HotelBuddy and STAY Guest App depends on your hotel’s specific needs, budget, and operational priorities. Both platforms aim to streamline guest interactions and reduce staff workload but differ significantly in features, coverage, and market presence. Your decision should be based on which product aligns best with your hotel’s size, service demands, and regional operations.

HotelBuddy and STAY are both designed to digitize the guest experience, but HotelBuddy’s focus is on contactless check-in, upselling, and analytics, while STAY emphasizes comprehensive service access, operational efficiency, and hotel chain integration. So, which one will serve your hotel better?

Is HotelBuddy or STAY Better for Hotels?

HotelBuddy offers a guest app that simplifies check-in, payment, and guest engagement, with a strong emphasis on contactless solutions and real-time PMS updates. STAY, on the other hand, provides a broader suite of services that include room service ordering, local recommendations, and chatbot features, alongside robust integration with multiple PMS and hotel management systems.

HotelBuddy’s recent reviews showcase a dedicated focus on mobile check-in and upselling, with an overall score of 0/5 but high usability ratings of 5/5. In contrast, STAY’s higher overall rating of 3/5 (based on 206 reviews, all recent) highlights its widespread adoption, especially among large hotel chains. Do you prioritize a specialized check-in tool or a more comprehensive guest experience system?

HotelBuddy vs STAY: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a straightforward, browser-based guest app that minimizes the need for downloads and focuses on contactless check-in and upselling, HotelBuddy is the clear choice. Its real-time PMS integration and mobile key features are ideal for city center hotels or resorts aiming to reduce front desk workload.

If your hotel requires a multi-feature platform that includes room service ordering, chatbot automation, multi-lingual support, and extensive integration with various hotel management systems, STAY is better suited. It’s particularly advantageous for large chains or properties seeking a comprehensive guest experience OS.

Is HotelBuddy or STAY Easier to Use?

HotelBuddy scores a perfect 5/5 for ease of use, with reviews praising its modern, client-side design and simple browser-based functionality. Its onboarding process is rated 4.75/5, with users appreciating the straightforward setup and minimal staff training needed.

STAY’s interface is also highly rated at 4.78/5, with reviews emphasizing its intuitive CMS and mobile experience. However, some mention the platform’s complexity might require more staff training for full adoption. Edge: HotelBuddy.

Which Has Better Features: HotelBuddy or STAY?

HotelBuddy offers core features like contactless mobile check-in and integrated payments, with 6 shared features including communication tools and real-time PMS updates. It also provides unique functionalities like mobile key access and payment processing, adding value for hotels prioritizing contactless check-in.

STAY boasts a suite of 8 exclusive features, including a dedicated chatbot, automated replies, room service ordering, local recommendations, automatic translations, and an app download. These features enable a richer, more interactive guest experience.

For a hotel seeking basic contactless solutions, HotelBuddy’s features suffice. For those needing a full-service guest engagement platform with automation and multilingual support, STAY leads. Edge: STAY.

Which Has Better Customer Support: HotelBuddy or STAY?

HotelBuddy reviewers rate its support at 4.75/5, with comments emphasizing responsive and helpful assistance. Users note the support team is proactive and consistently available to resolve issues, contributing to smooth onboarding and ongoing operations.

STAY’s support is rated slightly higher at 4.83/5, with praise for prompt responses and effective problem-solving. Some users mention limitations in support hours and the absence of phone support, but overall, support quality is high in reviews.

Edge: STAY.

Which Has More Integrations: HotelBuddy or STAY?

HotelBuddy has verified integrations with five partners, including notable ones like Stripe and Infor, and its real-time PMS sync is a key strength. However, its smaller partner network limits flexibility if your hotel relies on a diverse set of systems.

STAY offers 20 verified integrations, including major PMS and channel management systems like Mews, SiteMinder, and hotelkit. Its extensive partner network makes it more adaptable to varied tech stacks and larger hotel chains.

Edge: STAY.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: HotelBuddy or STAY?

Despite its tiny review base, HotelBuddy’s recent reviews are overwhelmingly positive for ease of use and customer support, but its 0/5 overall rating reflects a lack of comprehensive feedback. Conversely, STAY’s 206 reviews, mostly recent, average a 3/5 score, with high marks from large hotel chains like NH Hotels and Riu.

Resort and chain hotels tend to favor STAY’s broad feature set and proven track record, while smaller properties or those seeking contactless check-in might find HotelBuddy’s niche offerings appealing. Overall, STAY’s broader adoption and recent reviews give it a clear edge.

Edge: STAY.

How Much Do HotelBuddy and STAY Cost?

HotelBuddy’s base price is $700, with no freemium options or trial periods, making it a premium choice. STAY’s starting price is $300, also without a free tier or trial, offering a more accessible entry point for smaller hotels or chains testing digital guest solutions.

Your choice depends on your budget and expectations for value; HotelBuddy’s higher price reflects its specialized contactless and upselling features, while STAY’s lower cost makes it attractive for broader deployments.

What Type of Hotel Should Use HotelBuddy?

• Hotels that prioritize contactless check-in and mobile key solutions, especially city center hotels and resorts.
• Teams seeking a straightforward, browser-based guest app with real-time PMS integration.
• Hotels aiming to boost upselling and guest engagement via a simple, easy-to-implement platform.
• Properties that want to reduce front desk workload with minimal staff training.

Not ideal if your hotel needs comprehensive service automation, multilingual support, or extensive integrations with multiple systems.

What Type of Hotel Should Use STAY?

• Large hotel chains and resorts looking for a multi-feature guest experience OS.
• Hotels aiming to digitize all guest services, including room service, local recommendations, and automated messaging.
• Properties seeking extensive PMS and third-party system integrations.
• Hotels prioritizing operational efficiency, real-time analytics, and sustainability by reducing paper use.

Not ideal if your hotel has very limited budget, requires phone-based support, or only needs basic guest app functionality.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

HotelBuddy offers a specialized, easy-to-use platform focused on contactless check-in, upselling, and guest connection. Its reliance on real-time PMS sync and mobile browser delivery makes it ideal for hotels emphasizing quick, contactless operations.

STAY provides a broader set of features—chatbots, multilingual support, room service ordering, and extensive integration options—making it suitable for large hotel chains and properties seeking a comprehensive guest experience system. Its robust reviews and widespread adoption give it a clear advantage in terms of reliability and scalability.

Choose HotelBuddy if your hotel needs a simple, contactless guest app to reduce front desk queues and improve upselling. Opt for STAY if you want a full-service platform that enhances operational efficiency and guest engagement across multiple channels and languages.