Hoteza Guest App vs. Guest Services by SmartStay:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Hoteza Guest App and Guest Services by SmartStay hinges on your hotel’s specific needs and priorities. Both platforms aim to elevate guest experiences through digital engagement, but they diverge significantly in features, integrations, and market focus. Hoteza offers a more established presence with a larger user base and broader system integration, while SmartStay emphasizes digital check-in and upselling capabilities. So, which solution aligns better with your hotel’s goals?

Is Hoteza or SmartStay Better for Hotels?

Both Hoteza Guest App and SmartStay focus on streamlining the guest journey via digital tools, but their strengths vary. Hoteza’s platform is designed for hotels seeking a holistic app that covers messaging, in-room controls, and extensive integrations, making it suitable for larger, more complex properties. SmartStay, by contrast, leans into quick digital check-in, upselling, and F&B ordering, appealing to hotels prioritizing operational efficiency and direct revenue channels.

Hoteza’s recent reviews, with 21 in the last six months, showcase a consistently high rating of 4.78/5 for ease of use and a 95% likelihood to recommend, indicating active, recent validation from users. SmartStay’s reviews, only 7 in total with no recent feedback, lack the same recency and volume, reducing confidence in their current performance claims. Given this, Hoteza’s larger, more recent review base makes it the more reliable choice for hoteliers seeking proven results.

Hoteza vs SmartStay: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a comprehensive platform that consolidates communication, guest services, and in-room controls with robust integration capabilities, go with Hoteza. Its extensive feature set (12 unique features) and high ratings from a diverse hotel segment—especially luxury and resort hotels—make it a versatile choice for properties seeking a unified digital guest experience.

If your focus is primarily on digital check-in, upselling, and quick F&B ordering, especially in properties where operational efficiency is key, SmartStay could serve you better. Its core strengths are in facilitating seamless check-in and offering high-touch upsell options, which can boost revenue at smaller or mid-sized hotels that prioritize direct guest engagement.

Is Hoteza or SmartStay Easier to Use?

Hoteza’s user rating for ease of use stands at 4.78/5, with positive feedback highlighting its intuitive design, flexible admin panel, and smooth guest interactions. Its onboarding process is rated 4.67/5, demonstrating a relatively straightforward setup, though some users suggest room for improving staff app stability.

SmartStay’s ease of use is also rated high at 4.57/5, with users appreciating its straightforward digital check-in process and simple F&B ordering system. However, given the limited review volume and less recent feedback, Hoteza’s higher total reviews and current ratings suggest it is marginally more trusted in usability.

Edge: Hoteza.

Which Has Better Features: Hoteza or SmartStay?

Hoteza boasts 12 unique features, including request management, room service ordering, guest messaging, multilingual support, and a web app, covering a broad spectrum of guest engagement tools. SmartStay offers 20 features, with strengths in digital check-in, ID verification, payment processing, and door lock integration, emphasizing operational automation and upselling.

While SmartStay’s feature count is higher, Hoteza’s features are more geared toward enhancing both guest experience and hotel management, with critical tools like request management and guest messaging. The choice depends on whether you need a broader guest engagement solution (Hoteza) or a focus on check-in and upselling (SmartStay).

Edge: Hoteza.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Hoteza or SmartStay?

Hoteza’s support rating of 4.76/5 is backed by recent reviews praising quick responses and helpful onboarding. Users describe their support as “five-star” and “very responsive,” though some suggest that further development in admin features could enhance support effectiveness.

SmartStay’s support rating is 4.29/5, with fewer recent reviews, and some users mention support as “seamless” but less detailed in feedback. Given the higher review volume and current ratings, Hoteza’s customer support is more validated and reliable.

Edge: Hoteza.

Which Has More Integrations: Hoteza or SmartStay?

Hoteza integrates with 20 verified partners, including major PMS, POS, and CRM systems like Oracle Hospitality, Mews, and Cloudbeds, offering extensive flexibility. SmartStay has 8 verified integrations, focusing on core systems like PMS and POS, with fewer options for advanced connectivity.

If your hotel relies on multiple third-party systems, Hoteza’s broader integration ecosystem provides greater adaptability, reducing potential friction. SmartStay’s narrower focus might suffice for smaller operations but limits customization.

Edge: Hoteza.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Hoteza or SmartStay?

Based on recent reviews, Hoteza enjoys a 95% likelihood to recommend, with 21 reviews in the past six months, indicating broad satisfaction among users. Hoteliers from luxury, resort, and city-center hotels report high ease of use, strong support, and seamless system integration.

SmartStay’s reviews are scarce and outdated, with no recent feedback to validate performance or satisfaction levels. Given the volume and recency of reviews, Hoteza’s customer ratings are definitively higher.

Edge: Hoteza.

How Much Do Hoteza and SmartStay Cost?

Hoteza’s pricing is a straightforward $400 base fee, with no freemium, monthly flat-rate, or per-room charges. SmartStay costs $500, with the same no-trial, no extra fee structure.

While Hoteza is slightly cheaper, both platforms lack trial options, so consider your willingness to commit upfront. The pricing difference is minimal, but Hoteza’s lower cost combined with its extensive features offers better value.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Hoteza?

• Hotels that want an all-in-one guest app covering messaging, in-room controls, and guest requests.
• Properties seeking deep integrations with PMS, POS, and CRM systems.
• Hotels prioritizing personalized guest interactions and automation.
• Larger hotels or resorts with complex operational needs.
• Hotels aiming to boost revenue through targeted upselling and digital marketing.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel is small with minimal operational complexity.
• You rely heavily on manual processes or prefer in-person interactions.
• Your primary focus is digital check-in and basic guest communication.

What Type of Hotel Should Use SmartStay?

• Hotels that prioritize fast digital check-in and check-out.
• Properties looking to increase F&B sales through QR-based ordering.
• Hotels aiming for streamlined guest onboarding with upsell options.
• Mid-sized properties needing mobile key issuance and simple service requests.
• Hotels interested in integrating upsell packages like early check-in or late check-out.

Not ideal if:

• You require extensive guest engagement features beyond check-in and upselling.
• Your hotel relies heavily on comprehensive guest messaging or entertainment apps.
• You prefer a platform with broader third-party system integrations.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Hoteza offers a well-rounded, highly reviewed platform that excels in guest engagement, system integrations, and support, especially suitable for larger or more complex hotels. Its broad feature set and recent, high-volume reviews make it a safer, more reliable investment if you seek a comprehensive digital guest experience.

SmartStay simplifies digital check-in and upselling, making it ideal for properties emphasizing operational efficiency and revenue through F&B and upsell packages. However, with fewer recent reviews and a narrower feature scope, it’s less proven in current hotel environments.

In conclusion, if your priority is a versatile, trusted platform with proven performance, choose Hoteza. If quick check-in, upselling, and simple guest interactions are your main goals, SmartStay might meet your needs—though less confidently based on recent data.