LIKE MAGIC (Check-in) vs. Self Service Checkin by SmartStay:
Which Is Right for You?

Is LIKE MAGIC or Liverton Better for Hotels?

LIKE MAGIC and Liverton both target the contactless check-in category, aiming to replace traditional front desk queues with self-service technology. They diverge significantly in feature depth and geographic focus. LIKE MAGIC offers a mobile-first, GDPR-compliant platform with integrated digital key and upsell capabilities, targeting Europe and Asia Pacific with a strong presence in serviced apartments and boutique hotels. Liverton emphasizes hardware kiosks and app-less check-in via automated SMS and email, with stronger adoption in branded hotels primarily in North and South America.

Both solve the core problem of reducing front desk congestion and staff load while improving guest convenience. However, LIKE MAGIC’s 17 unique hotel features automate check-in, check-out, payments, and upselling in a single cloud platform, freeing staff for guest interaction beyond check-in. Liverton’s strength lies in flexible kiosk hardware options and a highly customizable guest journey that suits large branded portfolios seeking consistent self-service kiosks with facial recognition and ID scanning.

LIKE MAGIC vs Liverton: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your property is a boutique, extended stay, or serviced apartment in Europe or Asia Pacific, LIKE MAGIC is the stronger choice based on 29 reviews averaging a near-perfect 5/5 overall rating, with particularly high marks (5/5) from serviced apartment operators. Its extensive hotel-specific features like multi-lingual support, document scanning, and door lock integration empower small to medium-sized properties with lean teams to automate operations efficiently.

Conversely, if you manage a branded hotel portfolio, especially in Australia or the Americas, Liverton’s SmartStay platform fits better. Though only three reviews exist, they cite successful rollouts across 11 properties with 70% guest adoption rates, emphasizing kiosk variety and operational flexibility. This suggests Liverton suits larger portfolios prioritizing physical kiosks and customizable guest flows. However, Liverton’s review base is limited, so its suitability for smaller or non-branded hotels remains less clear.

Is LIKE MAGIC or Liverton Easier to Use?

Both products score exceptionally on ease of use, with LIKE MAGIC rated 4.9/5 and Liverton slightly higher at 5/5, though Liverton’s rating is based on only three reviews. Onboarding scores also favor LIKE MAGIC at 4.8/5 compared to Liverton’s 4.3/5. Reviewers for LIKE MAGIC highlight a modern, browser-based platform that guests and staff find intuitive, though some staff mention backend complexity in locating functions quickly. Liverton reviewers praise its customization and simplicity, particularly praising the kiosk's ease for guests.

Staff adoption for LIKE MAGIC benefits from integrations that automate repetitive tasks, reducing training time to as little as 1.5 days per case studies. Liverton customers appreciate the flexibility in kiosk models, helping tailor adoption to property needs. Given the larger and more diverse reviewer base for LIKE MAGIC, its ease of use ratings carry more weight.

Edge: Even.

Which Has Better Features: LIKE MAGIC or Liverton?

LIKE MAGIC outpaces Liverton with 17 unique hotel-relevant features versus zero unique features for Liverton, indicating a broader functional scope. Features exclusive to LIKE MAGIC include a hotel website check-in portal, device-agnostic self-service check-in and checkout, customizable guest questions, terms & conditions signing, document and passport scanning, ID verification, multi-lingual support, payment authorizations, deposit collection, electronic registration cards, door lock integration, and pre-arrival upselling.

These features transform workflows for front desk staff and guests by automating manual processes, reducing check-in friction, and enabling revenue generation through upsells and upgrades before arrival. For instance, door lock integration lets guests unlock rooms digitally without physical keys, eliminating key card distribution and return logistics.

Liverton’s platform focuses on kiosk hardware and automated guest communication via email and SMS but lacks distinct software features beyond core check-in and payment processing. This limits operational impact compared to LIKE MAGIC’s all-in-one system.

Edge: LIKE MAGIC.

Which Has Better Customer Support: LIKE MAGIC or Liverton?

Customer support ratings for LIKE MAGIC stand at 4.8/5, slightly above Liverton’s 4/5, though both have fewer than 30 total reviews. Onboarding also favors LIKE MAGIC (4.8/5) over Liverton (4.3/5). Reviewers praise LIKE MAGIC’s responsiveness and generally good support response times, noting occasional variability in staff familiarity with the platform.

Liverton users report strong and responsive support overall, but some mention gaps in after-hours coverage and the need for more help desk expertise across all modules. This could impact hotels requiring 24/7 operational support.

Given the larger review volume and more consistent feedback, LIKE MAGIC’s support is more reliably rated.

Edge: Even.

Which Has More Integrations: LIKE MAGIC or Liverton?

LIKE MAGIC leads with 11 verified integrations compared to Liverton’s 8. Both share integrations with major PMS providers like Oracle Hospitality and Mews. LIKE MAGIC adds four exclusive partners including 4SUITES, apaleo GmbH, SALTO Systems for door locks, and Adyen for payments. Liverton’s unique integrations include Shiji Group, RMS, Cloudbeds, SIHOT, and Planet.

These integration differences matter operationally. LIKE MAGIC’s door lock integration and payment platform partnerships enable seamless guest room access and flexible payment options, critical for properties seeking full automation. Liverton’s integrations focus more on broad PMS compatibility, supporting branded portfolios with diverse systems.

Edge: LIKE MAGIC.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: LIKE MAGIC or Liverton?

Both products hold excellent overall ratings: LIKE MAGIC at 5/5 from 29 reviews, Liverton at 4.8/5 from 3 reviews. The volume and recency favor LIKE MAGIC as it has a larger and more segmented review base, including 12 recent reviews from extended stay and serviced apartments scoring 5/5, and strong scores (4.8-4.9/5) from boutique, city center, and limited service hotels. Liverton’s limited review count prevents strong conclusions, though it does receive 4.8-5/5 ratings in branded and airport/conference hotels.

Neither product has recent reviews in the last six months, so ratings reflect the last two years’ experience. LIKE MAGIC’s larger sample size and consistent 99% likelihood to recommend versus Liverton’s 97% slightly favor LIKE MAGIC in current user satisfaction.

Edge: Even.

How Much Do LIKE MAGIC and Liverton Cost?

LIKE MAGIC publishes a base price of $700, with no freemium, monthly flat, or per-room pricing, and no implementation fee or trial. Liverton does not publish any pricing details. Without transparent pricing from Liverton, direct cost comparison is impossible.

Hotels should expect LIKE MAGIC’s model suits properties able to invest a one-time or periodic fee for comprehensive cloud software. Liverton’s kiosk hardware and customization likely imply additional capital and service costs not disclosed.

What Type of Hotel Should Use LIKE MAGIC?

• Hotels that operate in Europe or Asia Pacific, especially in serviced apartments and extended stay, where LIKE MAGIC has proven adoption and top ratings.

• Teams seeking an integrated, mobile-first platform combining contactless check-in, payment, digital keys, and upselling in a single system.

• Properties aiming to reduce front desk staff by automating check-in/out, housekeeping communications, and guest messaging, evidenced by case studies showing up to 80% staff reduction.

• Hotels requiring multi-lingual support and GDPR-compliant data handling for international guests.

• Operations wanting seamless integration with PMS, door lock systems, and payment processors to avoid manual workflows.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel portfolio relies on physical self-service kiosks as the main guest interface.

• You require robust offline functionality or extensive design customization beyond current platform limits, as noted by some users.

• Your property is outside LIKE MAGIC’s main regions, potentially limiting support and integrations.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Liverton?

• Branded hotel portfolios in North and South America or Australia seeking kiosk-driven self-service check-in solutions.

• Hotels requiring a variety of kiosk models to fit different property sizes and service levels, with proven 70% adoption in multi-property rollouts.

• Properties valuing app-less guest check-in via automated SMS and email reminders, enhancing guest convenience without downloads.

• Operations focused on upselling and guest preference capture through kiosk customization.

Not ideal if:

• Your property needs a fully integrated digital key solution, as Liverton’s mobile key feature is still in development.

• You operate small to medium independent hotels or serviced apartments where kiosk investments may not be cost-effective.

• You want a software platform with extensive hotel-specific features like multi-lingual support, document scanning, or in-app payment authorizations.

LIKE MAGIC vs Liverton: The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference between LIKE MAGIC and Liverton lies in software depth versus kiosk hardware focus. LIKE MAGIC delivers a comprehensive, mobile-first contactless check-in and guest management platform with extensive features that automate front desk and operational workflows, integrated with digital keys and payment processing. Liverton provides a highly customizable kiosk-based check-in experience suited for branded hotel portfolios emphasizing physical self-service terminals.

Choose LIKE MAGIC if your property prioritizes operational automation, integrated digital keys, and pre-arrival upselling across a variety of hotel segments in Europe or Asia Pacific. Its 29 reviews averaging 5/5 support its efficiency and guest satisfaction claims, backed by case studies showing significant staff reductions and smooth guest journeys.

Choose Liverton if you manage a branded hotel portfolio in the Americas or Australia requiring flexible kiosk hardware, app-less guest engagement, and strong customization options. Although reviews are fewer, reported 70% guest adoption rates across 11 hotels indicate proven scalability in large portfolios. However, limited features and lack of digital key integration mean Liverton suits hotels focusing primarily on kiosk-enabled check-in rather than full operational integration.