NexGenGuest vs. STAY Guest App:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between NexGenGuest by NexGenGuest and STAY Guest App by STAY hinges on your hotel’s specific needs, scale, and regional focus. Both platforms aim to elevate the guest experience through digital engagement, but they differ markedly in coverage, features, and scope. Your goal is to find a solution that aligns with your operational priorities and guest expectations—so which is the better fit?

NexGenGuest is a niche player with a small but tight review base and limited regional presence. STAY, on the other hand, boasts a much larger user base, more recent feedback, and a global footprint. How do these differences influence your choice?

Is NexGenGuest or STAY Better for Hotels?

NexGenGuest offers a web-based, low-touch engagement platform primarily focused on marketing, guest communication, and real-time messaging. Its core strength lies in marketing automation and guest messaging, with a simple, easy-to-navigate interface. Conversely, STAY positions itself as a comprehensive guest experience operating system, integrating a wide array of hotel services—from check-in to request management—delivering a full-service digital environment.

While NexGenGuest emphasizes high engagement through web-based interactions, STAY combines operational efficiency with guest satisfaction, aiming to cut down wait times and streamline internal workflows. NexGenGuest’s limited regional presence (North America only) contrasts with STAY’s extensive international coverage spanning 31 countries. Given these differences, your choice depends on whether you prioritize marketing and guest communication or operational digitization.

Edge: STAY

NexGenGuest vs STAY: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a straightforward, web-based platform focused on marketing, guest communication, and pre-arrival engagement, NexGenGuest is the better pick. Its reviews highlight its user-friendly interface and strong marketing tools, making it ideal for boutique hotels or resorts seeking to boost direct engagement.

If your hotel requires a full-service, operational guest experience system that reduces queues, manages requests, and digitizes services like room service or spa bookings, STAY is the clear choice. Its extensive feature set, proven track record with large hotel chains, and wide integration options make it suitable for larger, branded properties or chains aiming for comprehensive service digitalization.

In essence, choose NexGenGuest for marketing-driven engagement; opt for STAY if operational efficiency and service digitization are your priorities.

Edge: STAY

Is NexGenGuest or STAY Easier to Use?

NexGenGuest scores highly on ease of use, with an overall rating of 4.75/5, and reviews consistently praise its simple interface and straightforward onboarding process. Its focus on web-based engagement makes it intuitive for staff and guests alike, with no reported issues in navigating or adopting the platform.

STAY also enjoys a high ease-of-use rating at 4.78/5, with reviews emphasizing its user-friendly CMS and straightforward content management. Despite its broader feature set and complexity, hotel staff find it easy to adapt, even with limited technical background. Both products excel here, but NexGenGuest’s smaller scope lends itself to slightly easier implementation.

Edge: STAY

Which Has Better Features: NexGenGuest or STAY?

NexGenGuest offers a core set of 7 shared features, including guest messaging, notifications, and engagement tools, plus one unique feature: Mobile Check-in. Its focus is on guest communication, marketing, and engagement, with the ability to send notifications and connect with guests pre- and post-arrival.

STAY boasts 7 shared features but also provides 7 unique ones, including Mobile App, Chatbot, Automated Replies, Message Routing, Request Management, App Download, and Automatic Translations. These features support a broader range of guest interactions, operational workflows, and language options.

For hotels prioritizing guest messaging and marketing, NexGenGuest’s features are sufficient. But if you need a broader suite that supports service requests, multi-lingual support, and automation, STAY holds the advantage.

Edge: STAY

Which Has Better Customer Support: NexGenGuest or STAY?

NexGenGuest maintains a support rating of 4.83/5, with reviews highlighting responsive, attentive customer service and quick responses. One user praises the support team for being “quick to respond” and “extremely user friendly and intuitive,” emphasizing ongoing improvements.

STAY also earns a 4.83/5 support score, with users appreciating its helpful support team. However, some mention the lack of phone support and slower reporting updates, which can hinder urgent troubleshooting.

Given the identical ratings and similar reviews, support quality appears comparable, but NexGenGuest’s smaller customer base might allow for more personalized attention.

Edge: Tie

Which Has More Integrations: NexGenGuest or STAY?

NexGenGuest integrates with three verified partners, including Opera PMS and Stayntouch, but has a limited ecosystem overall. Its integrations are primarily focused on essential PMS and marketing tools.

STAY outperforms here with 20 verified integrations, including major players like hotelkit, Winhotel, SiteMinder, Oracle Hospitality, and more. Its extensive partnership network enables seamless data flow across multiple systems, simplifying hotel operations and guest management.

If integrations are critical for your hotel’s tech stack, STAY’s broader ecosystem makes it the better choice.

Edge: STAY

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: NexGenGuest or STAY?

NexGenGuest has a small but highly positive review base, with an overall score of 4.92/5 from just six reviews, all recent and glowing. Hotels praise its role as a “great tool for guest communication and engagement,” and many highlight its marketing capabilities.

STAY’s reviews, although more numerous, average around 3/5 based on 200 reviews, with consistent praise for operational improvements but some criticism for language limitations and slower updates. Its larger, more diverse user base results in mixed ratings, especially from larger chain properties.

Given the recency and volume, NexGenGuest’s reviews are more consistent and recent, making it the more confidently rated product.

Edge: NexGenGuest

How Much Do NexGenGuest and STAY Cost?

NexGenGuest does not publicly list pricing, and it offers no freemium model or trial, indicating a custom quote-based approach. This can be advantageous for tailored solutions but less transparent.

STAY charges a flat $300 monthly fee, with no mention of additional implementation or setup costs. Its straightforward pricing model suits hotels seeking predictable expenses.

If transparent, predictable pricing is essential, STAY’s flat fee offers clarity. For tailored, possibly more flexible arrangements, NexGenGuest may be suitable.

What Type of Hotel Should Use NexGenGuest?

• Hotels that prioritize guest engagement and marketing automation.
• Boutique hotels, resorts, or properties with a strong focus on pre-arrival and post-stay communication.
• Teams seeking a simple, web-based platform that is quick to implement.
• Hotels that mainly operate within North America due to regional presence.

Not ideal if you require comprehensive operational tools or extensive integrations outside marketing and messaging.

What Type of Hotel Should Use STAY?

• Hotels needing an all-in-one guest experience system that digitizes multiple services.
• Large hotel chains or brands seeking extensive integrations and automation.
• Properties aiming to reduce queues, improve operational flow, and increase ancillary sales.
• Hotels emphasizing sustainability by reducing paper and manual processes.

Not ideal if your hotel is small, primarily regional, or seeking a low-cost, purely marketing-oriented solution.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

NexGenGuest excels in guest engagement and marketing, with a highly positive and recent review record. Its limited regional presence and narrow feature set make it best suited for boutique hotels and resorts focusing on guest communication.

STAY offers a broad feature set and extensive integrations, proven in large chains and international markets. Its capacity to digitize multiple guest services and improve operational efficiency makes it ideal for sizable hotels or chains looking for a comprehensive guest experience platform.

If your hotel prioritizes guest messaging and engagement within North America, NexGenGuest’s high ratings and recent reviews make it the superior choice. For larger, multi-property operations seeking extensive service automation and integrations, STAY’s wider feature set and global presence deliver a better fit.

In conclusion, for most hotels with a preference for recent, highly-rated reviews and a focus on guest communication, STAY’s larger review base and more recent feedback make it the recommended option. However, if your hotel’s core need is targeted guest engagement and marketing with a smaller scope, NexGenGuest remains a strong contender.