roommaster booking engine vs. Safara:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right booking engine is crucial for your hotel’s ability to increase direct bookings, streamline the guest experience, and enhance revenue. Both RoomMaster and Safara aim to serve these needs but approach the task differently. RoomMaster’s solution is more mature, backed by a larger global presence and a higher review count, while Safara offers a newer, highly rated platform with a focus on seamless usability. Which product will align better with your hotel’s operational needs and growth goals?

Is RoomMaster or Safara Better for Hotels?

RoomMaster, established since 1994, is a well-known booking engine in the industry with over 70 reviews, most recent within the last 6 months. It scores an overall 4.31 out of 5, supported by a strong 89% likelihood to recommend, reflecting broad trust among hoteliers. Safara, though newer, launched in 2022, has 24 reviews—almost all recent—and boasts a near-perfect 100% recommendation rate. Its higher ease-of-use rating (4.92 vs. 4.43) indicates a focus on simple, guest-friendly design.

Both platforms address online booking but diverge in market focus and feature depth. RoomMaster’s longstanding presence means it’s widely adopted across various hotel segments, especially resorts and boutique properties, with an extensive network of integrations and a global reach. Safara, however, is concentrated more towards boutique and city hotels, primarily in North and Central America, with a smaller but highly engaged user base. Do these factors matter most for your hotel’s target market and growth ambitions?

RoomMaster vs Safara: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a comprehensive, reliable booking engine with proven performance across diverse markets, go with RoomMaster. Its extensive integration network, proven track record, and features like multi-room bookings and gift vouchers cater well to mid-sized and larger hotels seeking operational stability and a robust feature set.

If your hotel prioritizes ease of use, quick deployment, and a high degree of responsiveness to guest experience and marketing, Safara is preferable. Its intuitive interface, deep link customization, and seamless mobile experience make it ideal for boutique or city hotels targeting high conversion rates and modern travelers.

For hotels requiring broad system integrations and a long-term stable platform, RoomMaster’s extensive partner list (56 verified integrations) makes it the safer choice. Conversely, if your hotel values rapid onboarding, simplified workflows, and a product designed for rapid growth, Safara’s higher ease-of-use score and recent rapid reviews point toward a better fit.

Is RoomMaster or Safara Easier to Use?

RoomMaster’s user interface scores 4.43 out of 5, with many reviews praising how easy it is for staff to learn and operate. Its onboarding process, rated at 4.09/5, is supported by detailed training and a helpful support team, but some users mention the need for more organized and comprehensive training materials. The platform’s back-office features are described as intuitive, with many long-term users citing minimal downtime and fast troubleshooting.

Safara, with a 4.92/5 ease-of-use rating, excels in simplicity and guest experience. Its design is described as highly responsive, with a quick learning curve that results in faster staff adoption and fewer errors. Users consistently praise how effortlessly it integrates into daily operations and how guests find it engaging and straightforward to navigate.

Edge: Safara.

Which Has Better Features: RoomMaster or Safara?

RoomMaster offers four features unique to its platform, including multi-room bookings, gift vouchers, and both pre- and post-stay emails, adding significant marketing and operational flexibility. Its total feature count stands at 32, providing a comprehensive set of tools for hotel management.

Safara, with eight unique features, emphasizes flexible booking options like Google Hotel Ads bookings, Apple Pay, and customizable exit modals, enhancing marketing and conversion capabilities. Its features also include form autofill and availability blocks, supporting a seamless guest experience.

While RoomMaster’s broader feature set caters to complex operational needs, Safara’s specialized features focus more on boosting booking conversions and marketing control.

Edge: RoomMaster.

Which Has Better Customer Support: RoomMaster or Safara?

RoomMaster’s support scores 4.16 out of 5, with reviews indicating helpful staff but occasional issues with response times and staff knowledge gaps. Some users mention delays in reporting and limitations in mobile access, suggesting room for support improvement.

Safara outperforms with a perfect 5/5 rating for customer support, thanks to its highly responsive team and proactive approach to feedback. Users describe the support as prompt, attentive, and dedicated to continuous improvement, which is vital during onboarding and scaling.

Edge: Safara.

Which Has More Integrations: RoomMaster or Safara?

RoomMaster’s partnership network includes 56 verified integrations, with notable partners like Sage, GuestCentric, and Revinate, covering a wide range of operational and marketing tools. This extensive network ensures your hotel can connect virtually any system or service.

Safara, with only 6 verified partners, offers essential integrations, including Triptease and Oracle Hospitality, but its smaller ecosystem might limit flexibility for complex tech stacks. The shared integrations with RoomMaster include key players like Revinate, but Safara’s fewer options could restrict future scalability.

Edge: RoomMaster.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: RoomMaster or Safara?

RoomMaster’s reviews, with a total of 70, reflect a solid 4.31/5 rating, with many users praising its reliability and ease of use. It is especially favored by boutique and resort hotels, which value its proven stability and extensive feature set.

Safara’s 24 reviews show an impressive 4.92/5 ease-of-use rating, with users highlighting how quickly staff adapt and how guest satisfaction improves. Its recent reviews demonstrate rapid adoption among boutique and city hotels seeking simplicity and guest engagement.

For hotel segments, boutique properties rate RoomMaster slightly higher for stability, while Safara’s newer interface is preferred by modern, digitally oriented hotels.

Edge: Safara.

How Much Do RoomMaster and Safara Cost?

RoomMaster charges a flat $500 monthly fee, with no implementation or trial fees, making it straightforward for hotels to budget. Additional costs may arise from optional modules, but the core software emphasizes value.

Safara’s base price is $800 per month, also without implementation fees or trials. Its higher cost may reflect its newer, more modern features and focus on marketing tools, but some hotels may find it less economical than RoomMaster.

Both platforms operate on subscription models, but RoomMaster’s lower starting price could be advantageous for budget-conscious hotels.

What Type of Hotel Should Use RoomMaster?

• Hotels seeking a long-established, reliable booking engine with extensive integrations.
• Properties that need comprehensive operational features like gift vouchers and multi-room bookings.
• Hotels with complex distribution and revenue management needs.
• Chains and resorts aiming for stability and proven performance.
• Hotels in markets where broad regional coverage is essential.

Not ideal if you prioritize rapid deployment, minimal training, and a simple interface, or if your property is boutique and highly digital-focused.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Safara?

• Boutique, city, or modern hotels seeking quick onboarding and high guest engagement.
• Hotels focusing on marketing-driven growth with robust upselling and promotional tools.
• Hotels that value a highly user-friendly interface for staff and guests.
• Properties looking to optimize non-room bookings like experiences or amenities.
• Hotels targeting North and Central American markets with a need for flexible, responsive booking solutions.

Not ideal if you require extensive system integrations or operate in regions with limited Safara partnership support.

RoomMaster vs Safara: The Bottom Line for Hotels

RoomMaster offers a well-established, feature-rich booking engine with a global presence, making it ideal for hotels with complex operational needs and extensive integration requirements. Its broad partner network and proven stability make it suitable for larger properties or chains seeking reliable performance.

Safara provides a sleek, highly rated platform that excels in ease-of-use, guest experience, and rapid deployment. Its modern features and responsive support are perfect for boutique hotels looking to grow quickly and deliver a seamless, engaging booking process.

In summary, choose RoomMaster if your hotel values a proven, comprehensive platform with broad system compatibility. Opt for Safara if your focus is quick implementation, a simple interface, and high guest satisfaction. Both are strong options, but the decision hinges on your hotel’s specific operational complexity and growth ambitions.