The project dashboard is a free tool that is only available to verified hoteliers to make adopting new technology easier by streamlining their research and simplifying their communication workflow.
TLDR
We analyzed 92 verified hotelier reviews, compared feature sets, pricing, and real-world case studies to break down where each platform delivers. The right choice depends on your property type and priorities:
Maestro PMS shines when it comes to customer support — especially for independent properties (3.8/5) , with exclusive features like Revenue management module and Mobile App.
Shiji Group shines in ease of use , with exclusive features like Guest profiles and Tablet/Kiosk Check-in.
Side-by-side ratings based on 92 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $900/mo | From $1,200/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 58 | 34 |
After analyzing 92 verified reviews, Maestro PMS users most value its customer support, reporting flexibility, customizable features, while Shiji Group users highlight ease of use, support team, implementation. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Customer Support
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Reporting Flexibility
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Support Team
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Customizable Features
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Implementation
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Training and Documentation
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Training Materials
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User Interface
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Reporting and Analytics
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Security Features
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System Speed
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How each product ranks among Property Management Systems vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #41 7 reviews | #53 2 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #18 35 reviews | #31 17 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #12 11 reviews | #11 13 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | #10 4 reviews | #22 2 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #25 26 reviews | #33 17 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #20 31 reviews | #24 25 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #38 5 reviews | #22 19 reviews |
| Extended Stay | #38 2 reviews | #45 2 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #12 53 reviews | #33 4 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | — | #30 8 reviews |
| Asia Pacific ▾ | — | #14 5 reviews |
| Middle East ▾ | — | #5 14 reviews |
Choosing between Maestro PMS (Northwind) and Shiji Daylight PMS hinges on your hotel’s specific needs, operational scale, and staff expertise. Both platforms aim to streamline hotel management, but they approach this goal differently—Maestro offers a more traditional, module-heavy system, while Shiji emphasizes a cloud-native, user-friendly experience. Your decision should consider key factors such as ease of use, features, support, and regional presence.
Maestro PMS has a longer history, with a dedicated base of users who appreciate its customization and robust support. Shiji, being newer and more modern, focuses on ease of onboarding and scalable cloud solutions. Which system aligns more closely with your hotel’s operational philosophy and growth plans?
With more reviews and recent feedback, Shiji Daylight PMS emerges as the stronger choice for most hoteliers, especially those seeking a modern, cloud-based platform with a broad feature set. Maestro, however, remains a solid option for properties that value deep customization, extensive modules, and a long-standing support network, despite its slightly older interface.
Considering recent reviews, Shiji’s higher overall scores, and its rapid deployment advantages, it’s clear that Shiji Daylight PMS offers a more current and widely favored solution for today’s hoteliers. If your priority is user-friendliness and quick onboarding, Shiji is the clear winner.
Maestro PMS and Shiji Daylight PMS are both designed to improve operational efficiency, but they differ significantly in approach and maturity. Maestro offers an expansive suite of modules, including specialized features like a Spa & Wellness Module and channel management, that cater to complex, multi-faceted properties. It’s heavily favored for its customization and integration capabilities, but some users find its UI dated and its setup cumbersome.
Shiji, on the other hand, is built as a cloud-native solution, emphasizing simplicity, automation, and speed. It centralizes guest data with a Single Guest Profile, enabling personalized service across properties, and offers an intuitive interface that reduces training time. Does your hotel need a highly customizable, multi-module system, or would a unified, easy-to-use platform better serve your team?
If your hotel is part of a large, multi-property group looking for an easy-to-train, scalable solution, Shiji Daylight PMS is likely the better fit. Its cloud-native architecture and modern interfaces make onboarding faster and maintenance simpler, especially for properties across diverse regions.
Conversely, if your hotel requires a highly customizable system with industry-specific modules like a Spa or Revenue Management, Maestro PMS’s extensive feature set and deep integration options could be advantageous. However, be prepared for a steeper learning curve and potentially higher maintenance efforts. Which profile matches your hotel’s priorities: simplicity and scale or customization and depth?
Shiji Daylight PMS scores higher in ease of use, with a rating of 4.63/5 against Maestro’s 4.04/5. According to reviews, Shiji’s interface is intuitive, with well-designed training materials and straightforward task flows that minimize staff onboarding time. Support for training and implementation is also rated slightly higher, making it easier for your team to adapt quickly.
Maestro’s interface, although feature-rich, has been criticized for its complexity and older design, which can slow down staff adoption and daily operations. Users report that Maestro requires more clicks and screens to accomplish tasks, impacting efficiency.
Edge: Shiji Daylight PMS.
Maestro PMS offers 8 features exclusive to its platform, including a Spa & Wellness Module, Channel Manager, and Mobile App, supporting complex operations. Its modules are well-suited for properties needing specific, industry-focused tools and extensive customization options.
Shiji boasts 48 unique features, including Online Check-in/Checkout, Guest Messaging, Automated Reminders, and integrated Housekeeping modules. Its features emphasize automation, guest engagement, and scalability—catering to properties aiming for a modern guest experience.
Overall, Shiji’s broader feature set and frequent updates give it an edge for hotels seeking comprehensive and innovative solutions.
Edge: Shiji Daylight PMS.
Maestro PMS is praised for its support, rated 4.78/5, with many users citing rapid responses and helpful assistance across multiple communication channels. Its long-standing reputation and dedicated team ensure issues are addressed promptly, often on first contact.
Shiji’s support is also rated highly at 4.53/5, with reviews emphasizing professionalism and responsiveness. Users appreciate their proactive help, though some mention occasional delays during system speed issues.
Edge: Maestro PMS, due to its slightly higher support ratings and long service record.
Maestro PMS supports 89 verified partners, including key integrations with Bookboost, SiteMinder, and Revinate, offering extensive connectivity options. Its integrations facilitate smooth operations with reservation platforms, POS, and other hotel systems.
Shiji supports 64 verified partners, with notable integrations like Adyen, Oaky, and Onity. While slightly fewer, Shiji’s API-oriented approach allows for flexible, custom integrations, and its focus on cloud connectivity enhances scalability.
Edge: Maestro PMS, because of its larger verified partner network.
Shiji Daylight PMS receives a higher overall rating of 74.99/100 and a NPS score of 8.94/10, reflecting recent positive feedback from users across diverse regions. Hoteliers particularly appreciate its ease of use, modern interface, and support for growth.
Maestro’s score of 70.06/100 and NPS of 8.8/10 are still strong but reflect fewer recent reviews and slightly lower satisfaction in ease of use and overall experience.
Edge: Shiji Daylight PMS.
Maestro PMS costs a flat $900 upfront, with no mention of ongoing monthly fees or implementation costs. It’s positioned as a one-time purchase, though additional modules or support may incur extra charges.
Shiji’s base price is $1,200, also without mention of implementation or ongoing fees. Its cloud model suggests potential subscription or per-property costs, but specific pricing details are not provided.
Overall, Maestro may be slightly more cost-effective upfront, but consider the total cost of ownership, especially for scaling or ongoing support.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
In essence, Maestro PMS provides a comprehensive, deeply customizable system ideal for complex, multi-property operations with specific module needs. Its support and integration capabilities are well-suited for established hotels with the resources to manage a more intricate system.
Shiji Daylight PMS offers a modern, user-friendly solution favored by hoteliers seeking quick deployment, ease of use, and a broad feature set that supports growth and guest personalization. Its cloud-native architecture and recent positive reviews make it the more appealing choice for most properties today.
Choose Maestro if your hotel needs extensive customization and deep industry-specific modules. Opt for Shiji if you prioritize ease of use, fast setup, and scalable features that align with modern hospitality trends.
Property Management Systems pricing is rarely straightforward. Here is what we know from each vendor's public pricing data. Always request a custom quote for your property size.
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| Starting Price | From $900/mo | From $1,200/mo |
According to HTR's product database, Maestro PMS (Northwind) and Shiji Daylight PMS share 50 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| Booking Engine | ||
| Centralized user & role management | ||
| Channel Manager | ||
| Guest profiles | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Multi-lingual | ||
| On premise | ||
| Online Check-in | ||
| Revenue management module | ||
| Spa & Wellness Module | ||
| Tablet/Kiosk Check-in | ||
| Task Management |
Showing top differences. 44 more features differ between these products.
We analyzed 4 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
No published case study for this goal yet.
"All the big players don't offer the level of API connectivity we need, but Shiji does. From the early stages of our design process, we were confident that Shiji could provide us wi..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
"We reduced check-in time by over 80%, from up to eight minutes to just about one minute with the new system."
What hoteliers love
Maestro PMS provides excellent customer support, with many users praising the quick and effective assistance available via various channels. This supp... Maestro PMS provides excellent customer support, with many users praising the quick and effective assistance available via various channels. This supportive culture is beneficial for resolving issues promptly.
Users appreciate Maestro PMS's flexibility in generating custom reports, which helps in making data-driven decisions. However, some have noted the nee... Users appreciate Maestro PMS's flexibility in generating custom reports, which helps in making data-driven decisions. However, some have noted the need for more detailed help menus and easier access to specific types of reports.
Customization is a key advantage, whether it's in reports, modules for specific property needs, or operational flexibility. Maestro PMS allows for sig... Customization is a key advantage, whether it's in reports, modules for specific property needs, or operational flexibility. Maestro PMS allows for significant tailoring, which aids in meeting unique business requirements efficiently.
Where hoteliers push back
While the system offers robust functionality, several users pointed out that the UI is slightly dated and could benefit from modernization to improve... While the system offers robust functionality, several users pointed out that the UI is slightly dated and could benefit from modernization to improve user experience, particularly for new staff members.
Security is a strong feature with options for on-premise solutions and adherence to regulations like GDPR. Enhancements like 2FA and reverse proxies a... Security is a strong feature with options for on-premise solutions and adherence to regulations like GDPR. Enhancements like 2FA and reverse proxies are also suggested by users for improved online security.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
Users frequently praise Shiji PMS for its user-friendly interface, which simplifies daily operations and reduces the learning curve for new users. Thi... Users frequently praise Shiji PMS for its user-friendly interface, which simplifies daily operations and reduces the learning curve for new users. This ease of use is highlighted in reviews citing accessible training materials, intuitive design, and efficient task performance.
The supportive and responsive nature of the Shiji PMS support team is consistently mentioned positively. Users appreciate the professionalism and help... The supportive and responsive nature of the Shiji PMS support team is consistently mentioned positively. Users appreciate the professionalism and helpfulness of the support personnel, which greatly aids in smoother operations.
The implementation process of Shiji PMS is noted as smooth and efficient by several reviewers, who appreciate the knowledgeable and proactive implemen... The implementation process of Shiji PMS is noted as smooth and efficient by several reviewers, who appreciate the knowledgeable and proactive implementation team. However, a few users suggest that reducing the implementation timeline could further improve the experience.
Where hoteliers push back
While the detailed reporting features of Shiji PMS are largely appreciated, several users demand more advanced and faster reporting tools. Specific re... While the detailed reporting features of Shiji PMS are largely appreciated, several users demand more advanced and faster reporting tools. Specific requests include enhanced summary reports, detailed billing, and faster report generation processes.
Performance issues related to system speed and consistency are common concerns among users, with several noting slow response times during peak operat... Performance issues related to system speed and consistency are common concerns among users, with several noting slow response times during peak operations. Users urge improvements in system speed to enhance overall efficiency.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Maestro PMS (Northwind) and Shiji Daylight PMS share many core Property Management Systems features, but each has unique capabilities. Maestro PMS (Northwind) offers 89 verified integration partners, while Shiji Daylight PMS offers 64. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Shiji Daylight PMS leads in ease of use at 4.6/5 vs 4.1/5. Look for transparent pricing and a trial or demo option. Filter reviews on each product page by property size to hear from hotels like yours.
Maestro PMS (Northwind): No. Shiji Daylight PMS: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Property Management Systems vendors offer demos or trials — request one from each to evaluate before committing.
The HT Score is a composite ranking that considers 4 criteria groups and over a dozen variables to help hoteliers objectively compare hotel technology products. Maestro PMS has an HT Score of 70 and Shiji Group has 75. Here is how the score is calculated.
| Criteria Group | Weight | What It Measures |
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| Customer Ratings & Reviews |
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How highly do users recommend this product? Ratings Score, Review Volume, Share of Voice, Review Depth, Review Recency, Success Stories ▾ The most heavily weighted factor. Analyzes average satisfaction ratings (likelihood to recommend, ease of use, support, ROI), total review count relative to category peers, review recency (at least 20 reviews in the trailing 6 months), and share of voice across unique hotel clients to detect selection bias. |
| Partner Ecosystem |
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How highly do tech partners recommend this company? Partner Recommendations, Integration Quantity, Integration Quality ▾ Evaluates partner recommendations as expert votes of confidence, the number of verified integrations, and ecosystem quality — the average HT Scores of integration partners. Products with higher-quality integration ecosystems are more likely to deliver a connected tech stack. |
| Customer Centricity |
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How customer-centric is this organization? Certified Support, Review Consistency, Profile Completeness ▾ Assesses whether the company has earned HTR Customer Support Certification, maintains consistent review collection over time (an indicator of feedback-driven culture), and keeps product profiles complete with capabilities, screenshots, pricing, and features. |
| Reach, Staying Power & Resources |
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How extensive is this company's reach and resourcing? Geographic Reach, Staying Power, Company Resources, Trending Score ▾ Measures global presence (countries and regions served), years in business as a stability proxy, team headcount as a resource proxy, and a trending score based on trailing-twelve-month buyer inquiries, reviews, partner recommendations, and press activity. |
Customer ratings and reviews are by far the most important factor in the HT Score algorithm. HTR does not accept payment for higher rankings. All reviews are verified — only hotel industry practitioners with confirmed affiliations can submit ratings. View full HT Score methodology →
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