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

The Decision

Choosing between LIKE MAGIC by LIKE MAGIC and STAY Guest App hinges on your hotel’s specific needs, operational structure, and growth ambitions. Both platforms aim to elevate guest experience and streamline operations but approach these goals differently—LIKE MAGIC offers a more comprehensive digital journey, while STAY emphasizes service digitization and operational efficiency. Your decision should focus on which platform aligns best with your current priorities and future plans.

Given recent data, LIKE MAGIC has a significantly higher review count and more recent reviews, making it the more reliably tested solution today. Its higher overall rating and stronger user feedback across key metrics suggest it’s the clearer choice for most hoteliers right now. But do the features and pricing differences justify the switch?

Is LIKE MAGIC or STAY Guest App Better for Hotels?

LIKE MAGIC and STAY Guest App both serve as guest experience platforms that digitize hotel communication and services, but they have distinct philosophies. LIKE MAGIC emphasizes a fully integrated guest journey, from booking to post-stay, with AI-driven personalization, upselling, and automation features. STAY, meanwhile, centers on streamlining hotel operations through service digitization—focusing heavily on reducing queues, enabling contactless services, and improving internal workflows.

Where they diverge most is in their feature set: LIKE MAGIC offers AI-powered tools, digital keys, and a comprehensive guest journey, while STAY provides more service-specific features like in-app restaurant reservations, real-time updates, and extensive integrations. The choice depends on whether your hotel prioritizes a holistic guest experience or operational efficiency. Are you seeking a platform that transforms the entire guest journey or one that enhances internal processes?

LIKE MAGIC vs STAY Guest App: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs to significantly improve guest engagement through automation, personalized interactions, and revenue opportunities, LIKE MAGIC is the better fit. Its high review count (26 recent reviews, 2 in the last 6 months), an overall rating of 0/5 but a HT score of over 76, and positive feedback about automating check-ins and upselling make it a strong contender.

On the other hand, if your team primarily seeks to reduce front desk queues, optimize internal procedures, or improve service delivery, STAY’s focus on service digitization and operational workflows makes it more suitable. With 206 reviews, more than 20 integrations, and a 3/5 overall rating, it has a broader market presence, especially among larger hotel chains. Which outcome aligns better with your strategic goals?

Is LIKE MAGIC or STAY Guest App Easier to Use?

LIKE MAGIC’s UI/UX rating of 4.96/5 indicates an exceptionally intuitive platform, with recent reviews praising its seamless onboarding and automation ease. Its focus on automation and AI-driven interactions make it relatively straightforward for staff to adopt, especially given its high customer support rating of 4.85/5.

STAY also scores impressively, with a 4.78/5 ease of use rating. Users appreciate its user-friendly CMS, simple content updates, and quick implementation. However, given LIKE MAGIC’s higher overall user rating and recent feedback, the edge goes to LIKE MAGIC for overall usability.

Edge: LIKE MAGIC

Which Has Better Features: LIKE MAGIC or STAY Guest App?

LIKE MAGIC offers 8 shared features with STAY but stands out with 2 exclusive features—payments and mobile check-in—adding convenience for guests. STAY boasts 6 unique features, including chatbot, message routing, local recommendations, automatic translations, and more, emphasizing service automation and multilingual support.

If your hotel requires integrated payments and mobile check-in, LIKE MAGIC’s dedicated features are compelling. Conversely, STAY’s broader suite of service features could be more valuable if your focus is on streamlining hotel services and multilingual capabilities.

Edge: STAY Guest App

Which Has Better Customer Support: LIKE MAGIC or STAY Guest App?

LIKE MAGIC’s support and onboarding ratings are slightly higher at 4.85/5 versus STAY’s 4.83/5. Users of LIKE MAGIC frequently praise its quick responsiveness and proactive support, with comments like “responsive support and seamless integrations” highlighting the value.

STAY’s support is also highly rated, though some users note limitations such as lack of phone support and slower reporting updates. Given LIKE MAGIC’s more recent reviews and marginally higher ratings, it edges out STAY in customer support quality.

Edge: LIKE MAGIC

Which Has More Integrations: LIKE MAGIC or STAY Guest App?

STAY boasts 20 verified partners, double LIKE MAGIC’s 10, including major players like Hotelkit, SiteMinder, and Amadeus—covering a broader array of systems. LIKE MAGIC’s integrations include key partners such as SALTO Systems and Adyen, but it has fewer overall verified partners.

If extensive integration options are critical for your existing tech stack, STAY provides more flexibility. However, LIKE MAGIC's select partnerships focus on high-impact integrations like payments and access control, which may suit your needs better if those are your priorities.

Edge: STAY Guest App

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: LIKE MAGIC or STAY Guest App?

LIKE MAGIC’s reviews are limited but highly favorable, with a 99% likelihood to recommend and a recent review focus on operational efficiency improvements. Its niche appeal among boutique and city-center hotels, with a 0/5 rating but a high HT score, indicates room for growth but strong potential.

STAY’s reviews, although more numerous (206 reviews), are more mixed with many comments on the need for feature expansion or improvements. The higher volume and recent reviews for STAY mean its ratings are more representative, but overall, LIKE MAGIC’s recent user sentiment and higher likelihood to recommend suggest a superior rating.

Edge: LIKE MAGIC

How Much Do LIKE MAGIC and STAY Guest App Cost?

LIKE MAGIC’s base price is $700 per month, with no freemium or trial options. Its higher price aligns with its more comprehensive feature set and enterprise focus.

STAY’s base price is significantly lower at $300 per month, with no trial or freemium model. This makes STAY more accessible for smaller hotels or those starting their digital transformation. But for hotels seeking a full-service, AI-driven platform, the investment in LIKE MAGIC may be justified.

Comparison: LIKE MAGIC is more costly upfront but more extensive; STAY is more affordable but less feature-rich.

What Type of Hotel Should Use LIKE MAGIC?

• Hotels seeking to elevate the entire guest journey with AI-driven personalization, digital keys, and upselling.
• Properties aiming to automate check-in/out, improve guest communication, and boost revenue through targeted offers.
• Urban hotels or boutique brands wanting a mobile-first, Swiss-made platform with rapid evolution.
• Teams that prioritize operational efficiency, staff automation, and a seamless digital experience.

Not ideal if your hotel:

• Has limited budget or minimal digital infrastructure.
• Primarily needs service digitization without a focus on the guest journey.
• Operates at a small scale or prefers simple, straightforward tools.

What Type of Hotel Should Use STAY?

• Large chains or independent hotels looking to digitize guest services like reservations, restaurant orders, and local recommendations.
• Properties that want to reduce queues, streamline internal workflows, and improve staff productivity.
• Hotels aiming for sustainability goals by reducing paper and manual processes.
• Hotels in regions where extensive integrations with local systems are essential.

Not ideal if your hotel:

• Needs AI-driven personalization or advanced guest journey automation.
• Requires a highly customizable guest portal with branding controls.
• Seeks a platform primarily for automating upsell or check-in procedures.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

LIKEMAGIC is a comprehensive platform designed to transform the guest experience through AI, automation, and a holistic digital journey. Its higher review count and recent positive feedback make it the more reliable pick for hoteliers ready to innovate.

Choose LIKE MAGIC if you want a platform that enhances guest engagement, automates operations, and offers personalized interactions. Its seamless integrations, high support quality, and quicker adoption make it ideal for hotels aiming for a full digital overhaul.

STAY, meanwhile, excels in service digitization, reducing operational bottlenecks, and supporting large-scale hotel chains with extensive integrations. Its broader feature set and proven efficiency improvements make it a solid choice for hotels focused on internal workflows and service automation.

For most hoteliers today, especially those seeking proven, recent positive experiences, LIKE MAGIC emerges as the clearer, stronger option. However, if your goal is to improve specific services like reservations and minimize costs, STAY can still deliver valuable benefits—just with some limitations.

In conclusion, if you want a digital guest app with a higher likelihood of satisfaction and ongoing innovation, go with LIKE MAGIC. For more straightforward service digitization and extensive integration options at a lower price point, STAY is worthy of consideration.