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 215 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:
I am MAX shines , with exclusive features like Mobile Checkin.
STAY shines in ease of use and customer support — especially for brand properties (0.0/5) , with exclusive features like Mobile App and Guest Messaging.
Side-by-side ratings based on 215 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | Contact sales | From $300/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 0 | 215 |
After analyzing 215 verified reviews, I am MAX users most value its , while STAY users highlight guest experience optimization, mobile and user experience, operational efficiency. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Guest Experience Optimization
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Mobile and User Experience
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Operational Efficiency
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Support and Service
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CMS and Customization
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Integration Capabilities
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Analytics and Reporting
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How each product ranks among Hotel Guest Apps 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) ▾ | — | #9 10 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | — | #4 83 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | — | #2 89 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | — | #2 24 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | — | #2 77 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | — | #2 88 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | — | #3 91 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | — | #6 7 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | — | #5 27 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | — | #3 112 reviews |
| Asia Pacific | — | #6 3 reviews |
| Middle East | — | #7 2 reviews |
Choosing the right guest app platform is crucial for your hotel’s operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. Both I am MAX and STAY aim to digitize guest interactions, but they serve different needs and hotel profiles. I am MAX emphasizes AI-driven engagement and personalized assistance, whereas STAY offers a broader suite of features with proven success across large hotel chains. Your decision hinges on your hotel’s specific priorities: personalized AI support or comprehensive service digitization.
Which platform aligns better with your hotel’s size, segment, and digital strategy? To make an informed choice, let's compare them across key aspects.
Both I am MAX and STAY provide ways to improve guest engagement and streamline services, but they diverge significantly in scope and maturity. I am MAX is an AI-centric platform that offers a mobile app with a smart assistant, focusing on personalized guest interactions. STAY, on the other hand, delivers a full-fledged Guest Experience OS with extensive features aimed at large hotel chains, including real-time updates, service ordering, and analytics.
Given I am MAX’s lack of recent reviews and a very limited feature set—mainly its mobile check-in—it falls behind in market presence and proven usability. STAY boasts over 200 recent reviews, high overall ratings, and an extensive feature library. Are you prepared to prioritize AI-driven personalized support, or do you need a robust, multi-feature platform with a broad integration network?
Edge: STAY Guest App.
If your hotel needs simple, AI-powered guest interaction to enhance personalization and direct communication, I am MAX might seem appealing. However, with only 0/5 ratings and no recent reviews, it lacks the credibility and proven track record of STAY. Conversely, if your hotel is a mid-sized or large property seeking to digitize multiple services, reduce queues, and improve operational efficiency, STAY is the safer choice.
Hotels in large hotel chains, resorts, or properties prioritizing extensive integrations and analytics will benefit more from STAY’s proven success. Smaller boutique hotels or those exploring AI-driven engagement might consider I am MAX, but its limited features and review data make it a risky option.
Edge: STAY Guest App.
Ease of use is critical for staff adoption and guest satisfaction. I am MAX’s interface and onboarding are undocumented in reviews, but its minimal features suggest a straightforward, if limited, experience. STAY’s platform, rated 4.78/5 for ease of use with over 200 recent reviews, has a highly intuitive CMS, streamlined content management, and simple integration processes.
Customers highlight STAY’s user-friendly interface, making it easy for staff to manage content and for guests to navigate. Given the volume of recent, positive reviews and high support ratings, STAY clearly leads here.
Edge: STAY Guest App.
I am MAX offers only one feature — Mobile Check-in — which is useful but limited. STAY provides 14 features, including Guest Messaging, Room Service Ordering, Local Recommendations, Hotel Directory, App Download, Automatic Translations, and Guest Profiles, covering nearly all guest interaction points.
No other guest app matches STAY’s feature breadth, especially its multilingual support, request management, and comprehensive guest profiles. For a hotel aiming to digitize full guest journeys and offer a broad range of services, STAY’s feature set is well ahead.
Edge: STAY Guest App.
Customer support quality heavily influences platform success. I am MAX has no documented support ratings or recent reviews, making assessment difficult. STAY, rated 4.83/5 for support with over 200 recent reviews, demonstrates strong, responsive customer service.
Users praise the STAY team for quick responses, helpful onboarding, and ongoing support. The high review count and recent feedback make STAY the clear winner here.
Edge: STAY Guest App.
Integration breadth significantly impacts platform flexibility. I am MAX features only one verified partner, Mews, limiting its connectivity. STAY boasts 20 verified partners, including Mews, hotelkit, SiteMinder, Oracle Hospitality, and more.
This extensive network allows STAY to connect with various PMS, CRM, and channel management systems, streamlining data flow and enhancing functionality. If integrations are vital, STAY’s network is the obvious advantage.
Edge: STAY Guest App.
Based on recent reviews, STAY’s overall rating is 3/5, but with 206 reviews and a 96% likelihood to recommend, it indicates strong user satisfaction. I am MAX has no recent reviews or ratings, making it impossible to gauge current user sentiment.
STAY’s predominantly positive feedback from large hotel chains and independent hotels alike suggests higher guest and hotelier approval. Its proven track record and recent reviews affirm its superior reputation.
Edge: STAY Guest App.
I am MAX’s pricing details are unavailable, which suggests it may be a custom or less transparent model. STAY charges $300 per month, with no implementation or setup fees, providing clarity for budgeting.
Given the extensive features and proven success, STAY’s pricing appears reasonable for mid-sized and large hotels seeking comprehensive digital solutions. The absence of transparent pricing for I am MAX complicates direct cost comparisons.
Edge: STAY Guest App.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
The core difference lies in scope: STAY is a full-featured, well-reviewed platform trusted by large hotel groups, while I am MAX offers a limited, AI-centric solution with no recent reviews. For most mid-to-large hotels, STAY’s proven effectiveness, extensive features, and support make it the better choice.
Choose I am MAX if your hotel’s focus is on AI-driven personalization and you’re willing to accept limited features and market data. Opt for STAY if you want a reliable, scalable platform with a track record of enhancing guest experiences and operational efficiency.
In conclusion, for hotels seeking a comprehensive guest app with proven results, STAY stands out as the superior choice. I am MAX may appeal to those exploring AI-driven guest engagement, but its limited recent feedback and features make it a riskier option.
This completes your guide to choosing between I am MAX and STAY. Consider your hotel’s size, priorities, and digital strategy to pick the platform that best aligns with your goals.
According to HTR's product database, I am MAX and STAY Guest App share 0 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| Automated Replies | ||
| Chatbot | ||
| Guest Messaging | ||
| Message Routing | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Mobile Checkin | ||
| Web-app |
Showing top differences. 3 more features differ between these products.
We analyzed 8 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.
"Thanks to STAY, we offer our guests an interaction tool with our staff. We can make real-time decisions with it. This simplifies our staff's duties at the same time. The guest expe..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
"Implementing STAY contributed to a significant increase in our revenue and customer satisfaction. The app pays for itself. We have seen significant increases in consumption for all..."
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
Multiple reviews highlight how STAY dramatically enhances guest experience by providing digital and sustainable ways for guests to access information... Multiple reviews highlight how STAY dramatically enhances guest experience by providing digital and sustainable ways for guests to access information and services. Features like real-time updates, mobile service ordering, and the ability to make restaurant reservations reduce wait times and provide convenience.
The app's user interface and mobile experience are lauded for being intuitive and easy to navigate. Users find it simple to update information and man... The app's user interface and mobile experience are lauded for being intuitive and easy to navigate. Users find it simple to update information and manage content, whether they are hotel staff or guests.
STAY aids in improving hotel operational efficiency by allowing quicker handling of guest requests, optimized internal processes, and reduced front de... STAY aids in improving hotel operational efficiency by allowing quicker handling of guest requests, optimized internal processes, and reduced front desk lines. The tool facilitates sustainable practices by digitizing traditional paper-based services, aiding hotels in their sustainability goals.
Where hoteliers push back
The CMS is highlighted for its ease of use and customization capabilities, though users have indicated some areas for improvement, particularly more f... The CMS is highlighted for its ease of use and customization capabilities, though users have indicated some areas for improvement, particularly more flexibility in design and functionality.
Users appreciate STAY's robust integration capabilities with various internal applications and systems, including PMS and CRM systems. These integrati... Users appreciate STAY's robust integration capabilities with various internal applications and systems, including PMS and CRM systems. These integrations streamline data management and help provide a seamless experience for both staff and guests.
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. I am MAX and STAY Guest App share many core Hotel Guest Apps features, but each has unique capabilities. I am MAX offers 1 verified integration partners, while STAY Guest App offers 20. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. STAY Guest App leads in ease of use at 4.8/5 vs 0.0/5. 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.
I am MAX: No. STAY Guest App: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Hotel Guest Apps 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. I am MAX has an HT Score of 0 and STAY has 47. 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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