Lava vs. Volo:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

When evaluating in-room hotel tablets, your team needs a solution that not only engages guests but also integrates smoothly into your operations. Lava by Lava focuses on providing hardware and connectivity tools for system builders and OEMs, aiming at seamless IT infrastructure integration. Volo by Volo, on the other hand, offers a full-featured guest engagement platform designed specifically for hotels. Which of these aligns best with your property’s tech goals?

Lava’s offering is tailored for backend connectivity and hardware integration, while Volo emphasizes guest-facing features and operational automation. Do you need robust hardware interfaces, or are you seeking to enhance guest interaction directly?

Is Lava or Volo Better for Hotels?

Lava’s products are primarily hardware and connectivity solutions aimed at system builders and OEMs, with no specific hotel management features. Volo is a dedicated in-room tablet platform with 33 features designed to improve guest engagement, operational efficiency, and revenue. Given Lava’s focus on industrial and industrial-grade connectivity, it’s not a traditional hotel tech product.

Volo’s recent reviews, boasting a 4.89/5 rating from 78 mostly recent reviews, highlight its ease of use, support, and feature set. Lava’s zero reviews and no recent data make it difficult to assess real-world hotel performance or user satisfaction. Are you looking for a proven in-room platform or a hardware supplier?

Lava vs Volo: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs reliable networking hardware or IoT devices to connect existing systems, Lava’s expertise in serial, Ethernet, and USB interfaces makes it an ideal choice. Conversely, if you want to directly improve guest experience, increase operational efficiency, and drive revenue with an all-in-one platform, Volo is the clearer choice.

Hotels seeking a hardware backbone to support multiple devices or custom integrations should go with Lava. If your focus is on guest interaction, service automation, and revenue growth, choose Volo for its 33 features, high reviews, and proven hotel-specific success.

Is Lava or Volo Easier to Use?

Lava’s offerings are industry-grade interfaces meant for OEMs and system integrators, not a user-friendly hotel interface. Volo’s platform scores a near-perfect 4.85/5 for ease of use from 78 recent reviews, with many users praising its intuitive interface and minimal staff training.

Volo’s onboarding process is rated 4.62/5, with hotel teams noting rapid adoption and straightforward deployment. Lava’s user experience is irrelevant for hotel staff, as it’s designed for hardware integration rather than end-user interaction. Edge: Volo.

Which Has Better Features: Lava or Volo?

Lava offers hardware-focused solutions with no specific hotel features, concentrating on Ethernet-to-serial adapters, IoT connectivity, and industrial interfaces. Volo provides a suite of 33 hotel-centric features, including digital directories, guest messaging, in-room dining, local guides, digital concierge, multi-lingual support, and integrations with POS and PMS systems.

Volo’s broad feature set directly supports guest engagement and operational automation, whereas Lava’s tools are meant to underpin such systems. When it comes to hotel-specific features, Volo’s offerings are unmatched. Edge: Volo.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Lava or Volo?

Volo’s customer support scores a high 4.89/5, with reviews emphasizing its responsiveness, proactive troubleshooting, and dedicated account team. Guests and hoteliers alike appreciate the quick resolution of issues, with comments like "Volo’s team is always available 24/7 to troubleshoot," making support a strong advantage.

Lava’s support quality is not documented, and with no recent reviews or hotel-specific feedback, it’s impossible to compare. Given the critical nature of guest-facing tech, Volo’s reputable support makes it the safer choice. Edge: Volo.

Which Has More Integrations: Lava or Volo?

Lava’s platform does not list verified integrations, focusing instead on hardware components. Volo integrates with 22 verified partners, including System Associates Inc, WebRezPro, Stayntouch, SiteMinder, RoomKey PMS, and Oracle Hospitality.

Many of these integrations connect directly with hotel property management systems, POS platforms, and third-party apps, allowing a smoother operational flow. The extensive integration options make Volo more adaptable for complex hotel environments. Edge: Volo.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Lava or Volo?

Volo’s recent reviews, totaling 78, with an average rating of 4.89/5, showcase strong hotel satisfaction across multiple segments. Hotels praise its ease of use, guest engagement, support, and feature richness.

Lava has zero reviews, making it impossible to gauge user satisfaction or hotel ratings. Without user feedback, the clear choice is Volo, especially considering its proven track record. Edge: Volo.

How Much Do Lava and Volo Cost?

Lava’s pricing information is unavailable, reflecting its industry focus on hardware and custom solutions. Volo costs $1,200 upfront with no ongoing monthly fees or trial options, making budgeting straightforward.

Given Lava’s lack of transparent hotel-specific pricing, Volo’s clear fee structure offers better predictability for your budget.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Lava?

• Hotels that need robust hardware and connectivity solutions for custom IT systems.
• Teams that operate in industries like industrial automation, gaming, or security, where specialized hardware interfaces are critical.
• Properties with existing IT infrastructure that require integration support for serial, Ethernet, or USB devices.
• Large-scale resorts or properties with dedicated IT teams capable of managing complex hardware setups.

Not ideal if your hotel’s primary goal is guest engagement or operational automation through user-friendly interfaces.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Volo?

• Boutique hotels, resorts, or properties aiming to enhance guest experience with interactive tablets.
• Hotels seeking to increase revenue through upselling amenities, food, and services.
• Properties that want to automate service requests, feedback collection, and communication.
• Hotels with a focus on digital marketing, local guides, and personalized guest services.
• Hotels looking for quick deployment with proven support and extensive integrations.

Not ideal if your hotel operates with minimal guest interaction or prefers hardware-focused customization without integrated guest features.

Volo vs Lava: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Lava’s focus on hardware and connectivity solutions makes it suitable for industrial applications or custom IT environments but not for direct hotel guest engagement. Volo, with its 78 recent reviews and a 4.89/5 rating, offers a proven, feature-rich platform tailored for hotels, with high guest satisfaction and strong support.

If your hotel needs a reliable in-room interaction platform to boost guest satisfaction and revenue, Volo is the clear choice. Lava might work if your goal is to build or support a complex IT infrastructure, but it’s not a hotel-specific solution.

In summary:

• Choose Lava if your hotel requires specialized hardware or connectivity solutions for existing systems.
• Opt for Volo if your goal is to directly improve guest interaction, automate services, and drive revenue with a proven platform.

In your decision, prioritize user reviews and recent performance data: Volo’s high ratings and extensive features make it the safer and more effective option for most hotels today.