LIKE MAGIC (Check-in) vs. straiv:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between LIKE MAGIC (Check-in) and straiv hinges on your hotel’s specific needs for contactless check-in and guest management. Both platforms aim to streamline operations and improve guest experiences, but their core functionalities, user feedback, and coverage differ notably. Your decision should factor in the size and type of your property, desired features, and integration preferences.

LIKE MAGIC boasts a higher review count and more recent feedback, indicating more current user experience data. This suggests it has a more established reputation in the market. But is that enough to favor it over straiv?

Is LIKE MAGIC or straiv Better for Hotels?

LIKE MAGIC and straiv both serve the contactless check-in niche, aiming to reduce front desk congestion and enhance guest convenience. LIKE MAGIC’s platform emphasizes personalized guest journeys, digital keys, and automation, all integrated within an ecosystem that fosters guest engagement from booking through post-stay. Straiv, on the other hand, focuses on efficient digital check-in/out, guest messaging, and upselling via smartphones, with strong integration capabilities.

While LIKE MAGIC shows a slightly lower overall rating (0/5 vs 4.81/5), it has gathered more recent reviews—just in the last six months, it has 2 reviews compared to straiv’s 8, boosting confidence in current user experiences. Straiv’s higher rating reflects consistent positive feedback, especially from hotels that value quick, contactless processes.

Both platforms address operational efficiency but diverge in their scope. LIKE MAGIC offers a broader guest journey management with AI-powered responses, in-app upsell, and digital concierge features, making it ideal for properties seeking deep guest engagement. Straiv concentrates on simple, fast check-in/out, guest messaging, and integrations, suitable for hotels prioritizing operational streamlining.

Will your hotel benefit more from an all-in-one guest experience platform or a straightforward contactless check-in system?

LIKE MAGIC vs straiv: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a comprehensive guest engagement system that combines contactless check-in, digital keys, and automated communication, LIKE MAGIC is the better choice. Its ability to integrate AI-driven interactions, upsell features, and a digital concierge makes it suitable for mid-sized to large hotels that want to elevate guest satisfaction without heavy staff involvement.

Conversely, if your hotel prioritizes quick, contactless check-in/out, guest messaging, and straightforward PMS integration, straiv suits small to mid-sized properties seeking operational efficiency. Its focus on a simple user interface and fast deployment benefits properties with limited IT resources or smaller teams.

Hotels that want to deliver a seamless, engaging guest journey with automation should lean toward LIKE MAGIC, especially if they value analytics and personalization. Meanwhile, properties focused on speed, ease of use, and quick setup will find straiv’s approach more aligned with their goals.

Are you looking for a platform that enhances guest engagement deeply or one that streamlines basic check-in operations efficiently?

Is LIKE MAGIC or straiv Easier to Use?

LIKE MAGIC’s platform, rated at 4.9/5 for ease of use, emphasizes a user-friendly guest app and backend interface. Users praise its straightforward onboarding and simple guest interactions, though some note the backend could be more customizable. Its recent reviews highlight a smooth experience for staff and guests alike.

Straiv, with a 4.69/5 rating, is also lauded for its intuitive interface and quick implementation. Reviewers appreciate how easily staff can adopt the system, citing its minimal training needs. Some feedback mentions interface slowdowns and glitches, but overall, it’s seen as accessible.

Edge: LIKE MAGIC, due to its slightly higher ease-of-use rating and more recent positive reviews emphasizing its simplicity.

Which Has Better Features: LIKE MAGIC or straiv?

LIKE MAGIC offers 9 features exclusive to its platform, including hotel website check-in portals, document scanning, registration e-signatures, and multilingual support—features tailored to enhancing guest interaction. It also manages pre-registration info collection and offers marketing communication opt-ins.

Straiv boasts 11 unique features, including mobile check-in/out, local recommendations, request management, in-app payments, and guest profiles—aimed at operational efficiency and upselling. It also features PMS integration, hotel directory, and guest messaging.

While straiv has a slight edge in total features, LIKE MAGIC’s focus on guest experience enhancements makes it ideal for properties aiming to deepen guest engagement. If your hotel prioritizes automation and marketing tools, LIKE MAGIC could be more advantageous.

Edge: straiv, for its broader feature set and operational modules.

Which Has Better Customer Support: LIKE MAGIC or straiv?

LIKE MAGIC’s support team, rated at 4.83/5, receives high praise, with reviews emphasizing prompt and helpful responses. Clients note that onboarding is smooth and that support is proactive in addressing issues.

Straiv’s customer support, rated at 4.72/5, is also well-regarded, with users appreciating its responsiveness and ongoing development. Some reviews mention occasional delays but commend the team’s professionalism.

Edge: LIKE MAGIC, owing to a slightly higher support rating and more recent reviews highlighting exceptional service.

Which Has More Integrations: LIKE MAGIC or straiv?

LIKE MAGIC integrates with 10 verified partners, including Mews, Oracle Hospitality, and Adyen, with five shared integrations. Its ecosystem supports essential property management and payment systems, but its partner network is smaller than straiv’s.

Straiv offers 36 verified integrations, including major PMS like Oracle Suite 8, Protel, Cloudbeds, and hotelkit. Its extensive partner list enables seamless data transfer and operational automation across a wide range of systems.

Edge: straiv, thanks to its larger integration network, providing more flexibility and automation options.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: LIKE MAGIC or straiv?

LIKE MAGIC’s reviews are limited to 29, with only two recent in the last six months, but it boasts a 99% likelihood to recommend, indicating strong satisfaction among those who review it. Its users mainly praise its efficiency and guest satisfaction improvements.

straiv has 81 reviews, with high ratings—average 4.81/5—and a 95% likelihood to recommend. It is particularly favored by hotels in Europe and those seeking operational improvements without complex features.

Given the larger, more recent review base, straiv’s ratings are more representative of current user sentiment.

Edge: straiv, due to its larger and more recent review set, reflecting consistent high satisfaction.

How Much Do LIKE MAGIC and straiv Cost?

LIKE MAGIC costs $700 per month with no free tier or trial. Pricing details for straiv are similar, with a base price of $500 per month; both platforms lack trial options.

While LIKE MAGIC is slightly more expensive, its extensive features may justify the cost for properties needing a comprehensive guest journey platform.

What Type of Hotel Should Use LIKE MAGIC?

• Hotels that want to deliver personalized guest experiences with AI-powered communication.
• Properties seeking to integrate digital keys and contactless interactions.
• Hotels aiming to increase upsell opportunities through in-app offers.
• Larger properties or brands that value detailed guest analytics and marketing tools.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel is small with limited staff.
• You need only a basic check-in system without additional engagement features.
• Budget constraints prevent investing in a more feature-rich platform.

What Type of Hotel Should Use straiv?

• Small to mid-sized hotels focusing on quick, simple contactless check-in/out.
• Properties that prioritize operational efficiency over guest personalization.
• Hotels looking for tight PMS integration, especially with Oracle Suite 8.
• Hotels that want a straightforward, easy-to-implement system with a smaller learning curve.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel needs extensive marketing or guest engagement tools.
• You demand high customization of interface or branding.
• You prefer a platform with wider international regional coverage outside Europe.

LIKE MAGIC vs straiv: The Bottom Line for Hotels

LIKE MAGIC offers a comprehensive guest management experience emphasizing engagement, automation, and upselling, making it suitable for hotels that want to deepen guest relationships. Its strength lies in its personalized, AI-driven guest journey and digital concierge features, delivering a more tailored guest experience.

straiv provides a robust, fast, and reliable contactless check-in/out system with strong PMS integrations, ideal for hotels prioritizing operational efficiency and simplicity. Its extensive partner network and support make it a strong choice for properties that seek streamlined processes without overly complicated features.

If your hotel aims to create memorable guest interactions and increase revenue through upselling, LIKE MAGIC is the clear choice. If basic operational efficiency and quick deployment are your priorities, straiv is the better fit.

In conclusion, the decision rests on whether you value deep guest engagement and personalization (LIKE MAGIC) or operational simplicity and speed (straiv). Given the larger review base and recent feedback, straiv’s market presence and user satisfaction currently favor it as the more reliable choice for most hotels.