PeopleHub - Human Resources for Hotels (By Papertrail) vs. ThinkReservations All-in-1 HMS:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between PeopleHub by Papertrail and ThinkReservations All-in-1 HMS hinges on your hotel’s specific needs. Both products address distinct facets of hotel management—PeopleHub focuses on staff and HR operations, while ThinkReservations manages reservations, guest relations, and income. With limited overlap, your decision boils down to whether your priority is HR or property management.

PeopleHub offers specialized HR tools for hospitality, whereas ThinkReservations covers a broad spectrum of operational functions. Are you seeking a complete HR solution or an all-in-one property management system? Let’s explore how they compare across key areas.

Is PeopleHub or ThinkReservations Better for Hotels?

PeopleHub is a dedicated HR platform designed to streamline employee lifecycle management, from onboarding to off-boarding, with a focus on compliance and staff data visibility. Conversely, ThinkReservations concentrates on reservations, channel management, guest communication, and revenue optimization, with fewer HR features. Both solve operational problems but cater to different core needs.

PeopleHub excels in digital HR workflows, reducing paperwork and enhancing compliance, ideal for hotels with complex staffing needs or multiple locations. ThinkReservations simplifies front- and back-office operations, maximizing revenue and guest satisfaction, making it a more comprehensive solution for property management.

Are you primarily seeking to improve staff management or guest-facing operations? If your focus is staffing, PeopleHub may be more relevant; if managing reservations and increasing revenue is your goal, ThinkReservations offers more robust tools.

PeopleHub vs ThinkReservations: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs an HR-centric solution to manage employee onboarding, shift scheduling, and compliance, PeopleHub is the logical choice. It’s best suited for hotels that want to streamline HR workflows and maintain detailed staff data at multiple locations.

If you need a comprehensive property management system that integrates online bookings, channel management, guest communication, and revenue tools, ThinkReservations is the better fit. It’s ideal for small to mid-sized hotels, B&Bs, inns, and boutique properties looking to automate daily operations and improve profitability.

For large hotel groups prioritizing HR, PeopleHub offers specialized features. For independent or small chains aiming to boost operational efficiency and revenue, ThinkReservations is more suitable.

Is PeopleHub or ThinkReservations Easier to Use?

PeopleHub, being a specialized HR platform, has a clean interface and straightforward workflows, but its primary focus on HR processes might require a learning curve for users unfamiliar with HR systems. Reviewers haven't extensively rated its usability, but it’s designed for HR professionals familiar with employee management.

ThinkReservations scores a strong 4.8/5 for ease of use, with many reviewers praising its intuitive interface and quick onboarding. Its user-friendly booking engine and management dashboard make daily operations smoother for hotel staff, even those less tech-savvy.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Has Better Features: PeopleHub or ThinkReservations?

PeopleHub offers 16 core HR features, including onboarding, shift scheduling, leave management, and e-forms, with three features unique to it, like employee messaging and SOC2 compliance. ThinkReservations boasts 30 features, including a booking engine, channel manager, POS, guest messaging, revenue management, and group booking tools, many of which are absent in PeopleHub.

PeopleHub specializes in HR workflows, while ThinkReservations provides a broad suite targeting reservations, guest engagement, and revenue optimization. For comprehensive property management, ThinkReservations clearly has more features.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Has Better Customer Support: PeopleHub or ThinkReservations?

PeopleHub's support details are limited, with no extensive reviews available, making it difficult to assess. ThinkReservations, however, enjoys a 4.79/5 support rating based on over 300 reviews, with many users citing quick, knowledgeable responses and helpful onboarding.

Review quotes from ThinkReservations users include: "The support team was fantastic, helping us get set up and troubleshoot quickly," and "Their customer service is always accessible and knowledgeable."

Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Has More Integrations: PeopleHub or ThinkReservations?

PeopleHub has no verified third-party integrations listed, limiting its compatibility with other systems. In contrast, ThinkReservations connects with 16 verified partners, including major OTAs like Expedia, Airbnb, and TripAdvisor, as well as tools like Sojern and TrustYou.

This extensive integration network allows seamless data flow and reduces manual work, especially important for properties relying on multiple distribution channels.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: PeopleHub or ThinkReservations?

PeopleHub has no publicly available review scores or recent feedback, indicating limited user data. ThinkReservations, backed by over 300 reviews, maintains an impressive 4.88/5 rating, with recent reviews highlighting its ease of use, support, and revenue growth.

In particular, small properties and B&Bs consistently praise ThinkReservations for simplifying operations and boosting profitability. The recent review activity underscores strong ongoing user satisfaction.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

How Much Do PeopleHub and ThinkReservations Cost?

PeopleHub's pricing is not publicly disclosed, which is common for custom HR solutions. ThinkReservations charges a flat $1,100/month, with no setup fee or trial, providing transparency for hotel budgets.

While PeopleHub's value depends on custom quotes, ThinkReservations's predictable pricing makes it easier for small to mid-sized hotels to budget.

What Type of Hotel Should Use PeopleHub?

• Hotels that have complex staffing structures or multiple locations needing detailed employee management.
• Teams that require compliance-focused HR workflows, including onboarding, off-boarding, and leave tracking.
• Properties with seasonal staff or high turnover needing efficient staff lifecycle management.
• Hotels prioritizing staff experience and internal communication.

Not ideal if your hotel primarily needs reservation or revenue management tools; in that case, PeopleHub's limited operational scope may fall short.

What Type of Hotel Should Use ThinkReservations?

• Small to mid-sized hotels, inns, B&Bs, and boutique properties seeking an all-in-one management system.
• Hotels that want to improve guest booking experience and maximize revenue via upselling.
• Properties that rely on OTAs and need reliable integration across multiple channels.
• Teams looking for straightforward setup and support, with a focus on operational efficiency.

Not ideal if your hotel requires advanced HR management or has complex staffing needs—PeopleHub would be more suitable there.

ThinkReservations vs PeopleHub: The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference is that PeopleHub specializes in hospitality HR, offering digital employee lifecycle management tailored for hotels, while ThinkReservations is a broad property management platform that improves reservations and revenue.

Choose PeopleHub if your hotel struggles with staff onboarding, compliance, or internal HR workflows, especially across multiple locations. It’s a fit for teams prioritizing human resources and employee management.

Opt for ThinkReservations if your focus is on streamlining reservations, increasing guest satisfaction, and boosting revenue with a flexible, integrated system. It’s ideal for independent hotels and small chains seeking operational simplicity and growth.

In summary, if your hotel needs a specialized HR platform, PeopleHub may be the answer—but for a comprehensive property management solution with more recent reviews and higher user ratings, ThinkReservations is the more proven choice.

Note: The above analysis is based on available reviews, feature comparisons, and company data as of October 2023. For tailored advice, consider demoing both systems aligned with your hotel’s specific requirements.