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 129 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:
M1 Intel shines in Ease of Use and Onboarding — especially for boutique properties (5.0/5), with exclusive features like Chain Dashboard.
SalesAndCatering.com shines in ease of use — especially for hostel properties (5.0/5), with exclusive features like Mobile Sales CRM.
Side-by-side ratings based on 129 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $400/mo | From $300/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 23 | 106 |
After analyzing 129 verified reviews, M1 Intel users most value its organization and sales workflow management, responsiveness to feedback and product evolution, efficiency and productivity gains, while SalesAndCatering.com users highlight ease of use, training and support, efficient reporting. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Organization and sales workflow management
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Ease of Use
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Responsiveness to feedback and product evolution
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Training and Support
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Efficiency and productivity gains
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Efficient Reporting
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Reporting and sales visibility
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Event Management
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Email, agreements, and follow-up automation
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Room for Improvement
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Integration and mobility gaps
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Email Integration
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How each product ranks among Hotel Sales Software 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) | — | #8 2 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #9 11 reviews | #3 73 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #6 11 reviews | #4 24 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | — | #4 6 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #9 11 reviews | #3 47 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #12 1 reviews | #5 19 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #8 16 reviews | #2 80 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #7 7 reviews | #3 14 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #5 20 reviews | #3 103 reviews |
| Asia Pacific | — | #3 1 reviews |
Matrix SMS by M1 Intel and STS Cloud by SalesandCatering.com both address the challenges of managing hotel sales workflows, but they diverge sharply in focus and operational depth. Matrix SMS excels as a CRM-centric sales management tool designed for hotel operators managing multiple properties who prioritize speed, lead tracking, and sales pipeline visibility. STS Cloud offers an integrated sales and catering management system that extends beyond CRM functions to include detailed event management, contract processing, and digital proposal capabilities.
Both platforms streamline revenue-driving activities by consolidating leads, client communications, and sales reporting. Matrix SMS prioritizes lead retrieval and opportunity follow-up with Kanban boards and real-time reporting, empowering sales teams to close deals faster across properties. STS Cloud covers the full sales-to-catering journey, enabling hotels to handle function bookings, BEOs, contracts, and e-signatures within one system. The core problem both solve is reducing fragmented manual workflows and improving sales productivity, but the choice depends on whether your property needs a focused sales CRM or a broader sales and catering management solution.
If you operate a multi-property hotel group or management company that requires streamlined lead management and sales pipeline visibility without the complexity of catering workflows, Matrix SMS fits best. Its high 5/5 overall rating from 23 reviews across branded, boutique, and limited-service hotels demonstrates consistent user satisfaction in properties ranging from 7 to 16 reviews per segment. The presence of a Chain Dashboard feature supports visibility across multiple locations, a key advantage for regional or corporate sales teams. However, the limited recent review volume (3 in the last 6 months) means newer product updates are less reflected in ratings.
If your property manages group bookings, events, and catering functions—especially larger conference venues or full-service hotels—STS Cloud’s comprehensive feature set is more appropriate. With 106 reviews and a 4.8/5 rating, STS Cloud supports detailed contract management, e-signatures, and mobile CRM, which align with sales and catering operational needs. Its customer base includes branded hotels, resorts, and city center properties with strong adoption in group booking contexts. While STS Cloud has no recent reviews in the last six months, its long market presence and case study with Azul Hospitality validate its suitability for event-driven properties.
For small to medium limited-service hotels focused solely on sales pipeline management, Matrix SMS offers a more focused, higher-rated experience. For larger or full-service hotels requiring seamless integration of sales and catering functions with event management, STS Cloud is the stronger candidate. The data is less conclusive for boutique or extended stay segments, where both products have moderate but not dominant footprint.
Matrix SMS rates ease of use at a perfect 5/5 with onboarding also at 5/5, based on 23 reviews. Reviewers highlight its intuitive, clean interface that avoids bloated workflows, allowing hotel sales teams to quickly adopt lead tracking and pipeline management tools. One user specifically notes the ability to easily review lost leads and maintain focus on priority accounts without cumbersome navigation.
STS Cloud rates slightly lower on ease of use at 4.7/5 and onboarding at 4.5/5 from 106 reviews. Many users commend its well-organized layout and straightforward data entry, emphasizing quick team adaptation. However, some reviewers mention minor usability issues with split-screen functionality on laptops and complexity in managing catering event changes, which can slightly slow adoption for front-line sales and catering staff.
Both products support smooth onboarding, but Matrix SMS’s higher ratings and user feedback about minimal training and daily workflow integration give it an advantage for teams prioritizing rapid staff adoption and simplified user experience.
Edge: M1 Intel.
Matrix SMS and STS Cloud share 8 core sales management features, including lead and opportunity tracking, email integration, and reporting dashboards. However, Matrix SMS offers a unique Chain Dashboard feature that provides sales leaders with consolidated pipeline visibility across multiple properties, a key operational benefit for management companies and multi-property groups to monitor overall sales health without toggling between accounts.
STS Cloud offers three features absent in Matrix SMS: Contract Management, E-Signatures, and a Mobile Sales CRM. Contract Management and e-signatures streamline the sales-to-contract workflow by reducing manual paperwork, enabling sales teams to send, track, and collect digital approvals directly in the system. This reduces turnaround time on agreements and improves client experience. The mobile CRM supports on-the-go access for sales managers and event planners, critical for hotels where staff frequently operate away from desks.
Matrix SMS’s feature set is focused strictly on sales pipeline efficiency and multi-property visibility, while STS Cloud extends functionality to managing contracts, events, and client interactions from any device. For hotels that require integrated sales and catering management with contract workflows, STS Cloud has a clear feature advantage. For pure sales pipeline management, Matrix SMS’s Chain Dashboard is a unique asset.
Edge: SalesandCatering.com.
Matrix SMS scores 4.9/5 on customer support and 5/5 on onboarding, demonstrating high user satisfaction from 23 reviews. Reviewers describe the M1 Intel team as responsive and open to feedback, noting ongoing improvements and strong collaboration with users to adapt the system as industry needs evolve.
STS Cloud holds a 4.7/5 rating on both customer support and onboarding from 106 reviews. Users praise the STS team for quick responses, personalized training sessions, and comprehensive online help resources. One reviewer with 43 years in hospitality calls their support “world-class,” highlighting tailored assistance during transitions and ongoing help.
Both vendors offer responsive, knowledgeable support tailored to hotel sales teams. Matrix SMS’s slightly higher scores and user comments about proactive engagement give it a narrow edge in support quality.
Edge: M1 Intel.
Matrix SMS currently has no verified integrations listed, limiting its ability to connect directly with Property Management Systems or other hotel technology platforms. This restricts automation of data flows between sales and operational systems, potentially increasing manual data entry for hotel teams.
STS Cloud integrates with seven verified partners, including major PMS vendors such as Stayntouch, RoomKey PMS, Oracle Hospitality, and SkyTouch Technology. These integrations enable real-time data synchronization, improving sales and catering coordination with front desk operations, inventory management, and accounting. For hotels using these PMS platforms, STS Cloud’s integration suite reduces errors, ensures data consistency, and saves administrative time.
Hotels reliant on integrated workflows between sales, catering, and PMS systems will find STS Cloud’s partner ecosystem a significant operational advantage. Matrix SMS’s lack of integrations limits its use to standalone sales functions.
Edge: SalesandCatering.com.
Matrix SMS holds a perfect 5/5 overall rating from 23 reviews, including a 100% likelihood to recommend. The user base spans boutique, branded, limited-service, and airport/conference hotels, all rating it 5/5 across 5+ reviews each. Its limited recent review volume (3 in 6 months) suggests ratings reflect a stable but possibly less current product state.
STS Cloud has a 4.8/5 overall rating from 106 reviews with 96% likelihood to recommend. Ratings are consistent across segments such as branded hotels (4.8/5, 80 reviews), boutique hotels (4.9/5, 47 reviews), and bed & breakfast inns (4.8/5, 53 reviews). However, no reviews were posted in the last six months, indicating current user sentiment is less documented.
Both products are highly rated by their respective user bases. Matrix SMS’s smaller but perfect rating suggests a very positive user experience, while STS Cloud’s volume and segment coverage demonstrate broader market acceptance with strong but slightly lower scores.
Edge: Even.
Matrix SMS lists a base price of $400.00 with no implementation fee, monthly flat rate, per-room pricing, freemium, or trial options publicly available. This pricing indicates a straightforward fixed-cost model, likely suited to properties or management companies prioritizing predictable billing.
STS Cloud has a base price of $300.00 also with no implementation fee, monthly flat, per-room pricing, freemium, or trial options disclosed. The vendor promotes a flat monthly fee for unlimited users, which can be cost-effective for teams with many sales and catering staff.
Without further pricing details or tiering, STS Cloud’s lower base price suggests it may offer better entry-level value, especially for larger teams. Both vendors’ lack of trials requires hotels to rely on demos or references before purchase.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
Matrix SMS delivers a focused, modern sales CRM built specifically for hotel operators seeking speed, lead management, and multi-property sales visibility. Its Chain Dashboard and 5/5 ratings demonstrate strong user satisfaction with pipeline management, minimal onboarding friction, and highly responsive support. This makes it ideal for branded and boutique hotels concentrating on sales productivity without the complexity of catering workflows.
STS Cloud offers a more expansive sales and catering management platform with contract management, e-signatures, and mobile CRM capabilities. Its integrations with seven major PMS providers and robust event management features suit properties managing group bookings, banquets, and catering functions at scale. Though slightly lower rated at 4.8/5, its review volume and client portfolio validate its strength for full-service hotels and conference venues.
Choose Matrix SMS if your property needs a streamlined, high-rated sales CRM with excellent onboarding and support, especially across multiple properties. Choose STS Cloud if your hotel requires comprehensive sales and catering workflows, PMS integrations, and mobile CRM access to manage complex events and contracts.
Hotel Sales Software 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 $400/mo | From $300/mo |
These are the features each vendor has configured, organized by feature group — the same data shown in the vendor dashboard. Expand a group to compare features side by side.
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Sales CRM
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| Mobile Sales CRM | ||
| Workflow Automations | ||
| Pipeline CRM | ||
| BEO Management | ||
| Lead Scoring | ||
| Contact Management | ||
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RPF Management
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F&B Planning
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Contracts & E-Signatures
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| Payments & Invoicing | ||
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Reporting & Analytics
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| Chain Dashboard | ||
| Data Migration Services | ||
| Pace, Sales Activity, and GRC Reporting | ||
| Lead Scoring |
We analyzed 1 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.
"We have a lot of growth in the pipeline and are expecting to grow the portfolio by about 25% by the end of the year. We reviewed many sales systems for our properties, and STS Clou..."
What hoteliers love
Users repeatedly say Matrix helps keep sales activity organized by centralizing leads, opportunities, follow-ups, and day-to-day priorities. It reduce... Users repeatedly say Matrix helps keep sales activity organized by centralizing leads, opportunities, follow-ups, and day-to-day priorities. It reduces confusion between departments and makes it easier to stay on top of next steps without using extra systems.
Many reviewers praise the Matrix team for listening to customer feedback and rolling out improvements quickly. They see the product as evolving fast,... Many reviewers praise the Matrix team for listening to customer feedback and rolling out improvements quickly. They see the product as evolving fast, with enhancements and even AI capabilities added in response to user needs.
Reviewers say Matrix makes their sales efforts more intentional, focused, and efficient. The software is described as improving daily workflow, reduci... Reviewers say Matrix makes their sales efforts more intentional, focused, and efficient. The software is described as improving daily workflow, reducing manual work, and helping teams use time more effectively.
Where hoteliers push back
Users mention that agreements are easy to send and receive, and that follow-up tools like traces and reminders help them stay on top of tasks. Improve... Users mention that agreements are easy to send and receive, and that follow-up tools like traces and reminders help them stay on top of tasks. Improvements to email functionality are also noted, showing this is an important operational area for the product.
Some reviewers point to missing or limited integrations, especially with PMS systems, and ask for mobile apps on Android and iOS. These gaps matter be... Some reviewers point to missing or limited integrations, especially with PMS systems, and ask for mobile apps on Android and iOS. These gaps matter because hotels want Matrix to connect cleanly with core operations and support work on the go.
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
Multiple users emphasize STS's straightforward, user-friendly interface. It allows for quick onboarding, minimal training, and easy adaptation by team... Multiple users emphasize STS's straightforward, user-friendly interface. It allows for quick onboarding, minimal training, and easy adaptation by team members, positively contributing to seamless daily operations.
Users laud the exceptional training and customer support provided by STS. The team is responsive, offers timely assistance, and customizes training se... Users laud the exceptional training and customer support provided by STS. The team is responsive, offers timely assistance, and customizes training sessions to fit user needs, greatly benefiting operational transitions.
Many reviews highlight STS's robust reporting features. Users appreciate the ability to generate custom reports that track group volumes, revenue, and... Many reviews highlight STS's robust reporting features. Users appreciate the ability to generate custom reports that track group volumes, revenue, and sales activities. Some suggest adding more comprehensive reports for more detailed insights.
Where hoteliers push back
While STS is highly praised, several reviews point out areas for improvement, including better email integration, enhanced reporting, and more intuiti... While STS is highly praised, several reviews point out areas for improvement, including better email integration, enhanced reporting, and more intuitive event calendar functionalities.
While STS offers several robust features, some users find limitations with email integration, specifically with Gmail. They suggest improvements in th... While STS offers several robust features, some users find limitations with email integration, specifically with Gmail. They suggest improvements in this area for better workflow between emailing and system activities.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Matrix SMS and STS Cloud (by SalesandCatering.com) share many core Hotel Sales Software features, but each has unique capabilities. Matrix SMS offers 0 verified integration partners, while STS Cloud (by SalesandCatering.com) offers 7. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Matrix SMS leads in ease of use at 5.0/5 vs 4.7/5. 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.
Matrix SMS: No. STS Cloud (by SalesandCatering.com): No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Hotel Sales Software 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. M1 Intel has an HT Score of 0 and SalesAndCatering.com has 25. 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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