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 657 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:
Exely shines in Customer Support and Value for Money — especially for extended-stay properties (5.0/5), with exclusive features like Meal plans and Tripadvisor Bookings.
Simplotel shines in responsive support and account management — especially for hostel properties (4.8/5), with exclusive features like Urgency messaging.
Side-by-side ratings based on 657 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Value for Money |
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| Starting Price | From $200/mo | From $500/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 325 | 332 |
After analyzing 657 verified reviews, Exely users most value its support team responsiveness and partnership, booking engine ease of use and guest experience, direct bookings and revenue growth, while Simplotel users highlight responsive support and account management, ease of use and streamlined operations, website and booking engine performance. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Support team responsiveness and partnership
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Responsive support and account management
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Booking engine ease of use and guest experience
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Ease of use and streamlined operations
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Direct bookings and revenue growth
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Website and booking engine performance
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Rate, inventory, and promotion management
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Direct bookings and conversion uplift
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| Cons | |
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Reporting and analytics depth
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Branding, design, and template flexibility
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Customization and branding flexibility
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Analytics, reporting, and conversion insights
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Payment, invoice, and cancellation flow issues
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Integration and payment workflow issues
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How each product ranks among Booking Engine vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
| Segment |
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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #7 110 reviews | #5 129 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #7 125 reviews | #5 157 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #2 68 reviews | #11 23 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | #5 14 reviews | #11 4 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #8 94 reviews | #6 140 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #10 60 reviews | #4 188 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #10 48 reviews | #4 102 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #14 12 reviews | #10 15 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #21 3 reviews | #13 11 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #16 24 reviews | #41 2 reviews |
| Asia Pacific ▾ | #4 219 reviews | #2 307 reviews |
| Middle East ▾ | #1 73 reviews | #15 3 reviews |
Exely Booking Engine and Simplotel Booking Engine both aim to increase direct bookings by integrating a hotel’s booking flow into its website, reducing OTA reliance. Exely excels in delivering a highly rated, user-friendly platform with strong customer support, as reflected in its 4.9/5 overall rating across 325 reviews, including 166 recent reviews maintaining the same rating. Simplotel, while also well-regarded with a 4.6/5 rating over 332 reviews, has seen a sharp drop in recent review activity, with zero reviews in the last six months compared to an average of 45.3 previously, raising concerns about current product and service quality.
Both products solve the problem of booking drop-offs on hotel websites by embedding a booking engine that matches the property’s branding and streamlines the guest reservation process. However, Exely’s recent and sustained positive feedback suggests it is more reliable for hotels prioritizing ongoing support and feature updates. Simplotel’s broader feature set targets marketing and conversion optimization but might be less current in operational performance.
If you operate a hotel that demands seamless, stable booking operations with excellent ongoing support, especially in North America, Europe, or Asia-Pacific, choose Exely. Its strong presence in 34 countries, 4.9 overall rating sustained over 166 recent reviews, and 98% likelihood to recommend reflect a robust solution for branded, boutique, city-center, and airport hotels, which rate Exely near-perfectly (4.9/5 or above). Exely’s focus on direct revenue growth, channel management, and ease of use aligns well with medium to large hotels that want to reduce OTA commissions efficiently.
If your property is a resort, luxury hotel, or boutique property in regions where Simplotel has established market presence (21 countries), and you prioritize advanced marketing features such as urgency messaging, loyalty program integration, and A/B testing to optimize conversion rates, Simplotel may be appealing. However, recent review inactivity and a slightly lower rating (4.6/5 overall, no recent reviews) suggest caution. Simplotel’s strength lies in marketing and guest engagement features but may require more technical effort at setup, which could challenge smaller or less tech-savvy teams.
Due to the lack of recent reviews for Simplotel, its historical ratings may not reflect current service or product quality. Hotels requiring a solution with proven, recent operational stability and support should lean towards Exely.
Exely scores 4.9/5 for ease of use and onboarding based on 325 reviews, with 166 recent reviews confirming a consistently intuitive user experience. Reviewers highlight Exely’s “user-friendly PMS,” an “intuitive interface,” and “easy adaptation” even for new staff. The booking engine’s embedded design reduces guest friction, allowing bookings in just a few clicks, which streamlines front desk workflows by minimizing manual reservation follow-ups.
Simplotel earns a solid 4.7/5 for ease of use and 4.6/5 for onboarding from 332 reviews but without any reviews in the last six months to validate the current state. Reviewers praise its “intuitive and user-friendly design” that simplifies navigation, though some mention a steeper learning curve for initial setup and customization. Simplotel’s interface is described as “sleek” but with requests for improved turnaround time (TAT) on client feedback and training materials.
Edge: Exely.
Exely offers 30 verified booking engine features, including 3 unique to its platform: meal plans, Tripadvisor bookings integration, and a price comparison widget. Meal plans allow front desks and revenue managers to bundle services, enhancing upsell opportunities. Tripadvisor bookings integration enables capturing traffic from a key OTA channel directly, reducing commission dependency. The price comparison widget helps guests see competitive rates, potentially increasing direct conversions.
Simplotel provides 37 total features, with 10 unique capabilities not found in Exely. These include urgency messaging, loyalty program integration, ADA compliance, social media integration/bookings, alternative accommodation recommendations when no availability exists, room substitutions, wedding and corporate booking modules, A/B testing and optimization, conversion rate reports, and Facebook conversion tracking. These features enhance marketing and guest engagement workflows, enabling hotels to push timely offers, reward loyal guests, comply with accessibility standards, and capture specialized group bookings.
While Simplotel offers a richer feature set focused on marketing, Exely’s unique features directly impact operational control over rates and booking experience. Hotels focused on maximizing direct booking revenue with straightforward rate management benefit from Exely’s meal plans and price comparison. Properties seeking advanced marketing optimization and social media booking integration find Simplotel’s features advantageous, particularly wedding/corporate bookings and accessibility compliance.
Edge: Simplotel.
Exely achieves a 5/5 rating for customer support and 4.9/5 for onboarding, with 166 recent reviews affirming consistently excellent responsiveness. Reviewers describe the support team as “fast and responsive,” providing “hands-on setup help” and “solution-oriented guidance,” contributing to smooth launches and ongoing operational success. One review calls their relationship “a true partnership,” indicating proactive engagement beyond issue resolution.
Simplotel scores 4.7/5 for customer support and 4.6/5 for onboarding from 332 reviews but with no recent review activity to confirm current performance. While users generally find Simplotel’s support “very good” and “prompt,” some mention frequent staff changes and a desire for more proactive communication and training. Feedback also notes occasional delays in tracking tasks and delivering on time.
Edge: Exely.
Simplotel offers 23 verified integrations compared to Exely’s 10, a 130% greater partner ecosystem. Both platforms share Hotelogix as a common PMS integration, critical for operational synchronization. Exely’s exclusive integrations include Oracle Hospitality, IDeaS, Mews, Booking.com, and HyperGuest, supporting large branded hotels and advanced revenue management.
Simplotel’s unique integrations feature Vertical Booking, Triptease, Lighthouse, The Hotels Network, STAAH, SiteMinder, Simple Booking, RezNext Global Solutions, and RateGain, emphasizing distribution channel management, real-time rate shopping, and marketing optimization. These meet needs for hotels operating multi-channel strategies and seeking robust marketing data.
Hotels focused on comprehensive PMS and revenue management integrations, especially branded and city-center hotels, benefit from Exely’s partners. Hotels emphasizing channel distribution and marketing technology integrations, such as resorts and luxury properties, align better with Simplotel.
Edge: Simplotel.
Exely holds a 4.9/5 overall rating over 325 reviews, with 166 recent reviews maintaining the same high score, indicating consistent, current satisfaction. Simplotel’s all-time rating is 4.6/5 from 332 reviews, but no reviews exist in the last six months, suggesting potential declines or issues unreflected in current scores.
By segment, Exely leads in branded hotels (4.9/5 vs Simplotel’s 4.6/5, 49 vs 102 reviews), city-center hotels (4.9/5 vs 4.7/5), airport/conference hotels (4.9/5 vs 4.6/5), resorts (4.9/5 vs 4.6/5), and boutique hotels (4.9/5 vs 4.6/5). Simplotel rates slightly higher in hostels and vacation rentals but based on fewer reviews, making this less definitive.
The recent review volume discrepancy—166 for Exely versus zero for Simplotel—means Exely’s ratings better reflect the current product experience. Simplotel’s ratings may not account for recent product updates or support changes.
Edge: Exely.
Exely charges a base price of $200 per month with no implementation fees or per-room charges. Pricing is straightforward but does not include a free trial.
Simplotel’s base price is higher at $500 per month, also with no implementation fees, per-room charges, or trial offers.
Hotels prioritizing cost-effectiveness and straightforward pricing will find Exely’s $200 monthly base more accessible. Simplotel’s price point may be justified by its broader marketing features but could be prohibitive for smaller properties or those with limited budgets.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
Exely and Simplotel both embed booking engines into hotel websites to increase direct bookings and reduce OTA dependency, but they differ significantly in current user satisfaction and feature focus. Exely excels with a proven, highly rated, user-friendly platform supported by responsive customer service, suited for hotels wanting operational stability and direct revenue growth. Simplotel offers a richer marketing feature set and broader integrations but suffers from a lack of recent review activity, making its current reliability uncertain.
Choose Exely if you prioritize recent verified customer satisfaction, superior ease of use (4.9/5), and top-tier support (5/5). Its unique meal plans, Tripadvisor booking integration, and competitive $200 monthly price make it ideal for branded, boutique, city-center, and airport hotels aiming for dependable direct booking growth.
Choose Simplotel if your hotel demands advanced marketing capabilities such as urgency messaging, loyalty programs, and A/B testing, and you operate in segments like resorts or luxury properties where these features drive higher value. Its broader integration ecosystem and social media booking features support multi-channel marketing strategies, albeit at a higher $500 monthly base price and with less recent validation of support quality.
Given Simplotel’s 100% drop in review activity in the last six months, hotels seeking current, reliable technology and service should prioritize Exely Booking Engine.
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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Merchandising & Packages
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| Room substitutions | ||
| Multi-room bookings | ||
| Flat, floating and discounted rates | ||
| Pooled inventory | ||
| Special offers & discounts | ||
| Customizable add-ons | ||
| Meal plans | ||
| Website Integration | ||
| Social Media Integration/Bookings | ||
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Upselling & Cross Selling
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| Multi-room bookings | ||
| Room substitutions | ||
| Gift Vouchers | ||
| Booking abandonment recapture | ||
| Customizable add-ons | ||
| Special offers & discounts | ||
| Meal plans | ||
| Alternative accommodation recommendations (when no availability) | ||
| Loyalty program integration | ||
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Conversion
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| Mobile optimized/responsive | ||
| Special offers & discounts | ||
| Urgency messaging | ||
| Booking abandonment recapture | ||
| Multi-room bookings | ||
| Room substitutions | ||
| A/B testing & optimization | ||
| Price comparison widget | ||
| Multi-lingual | ||
| Conversion rate reports | ||
| Facebook conversion tracking | ||
| Customizable exit intent modals | ||
| Form autofill | ||
| Flexible dates | ||
| Rate plan comparisons | ||
| Google Hotel Ads Bookings | ||
| Tripadvisor Bookings | ||
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Payments
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| Multi-currency | ||
| Apple Pay | ||
| Google Pay | ||
| Paypal | ||
| PCI Compliance | ||
| PayU | ||
| Stripe | ||
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Transactional Emails
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| Booking abandonment recapture | ||
| Post-stay emails | ||
| Pre-stay emails | ||
| Confirmation emails | ||
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Group Bookings
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| Wedding & corporate booking modules | ||
| Availability block | ||
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Reporting & Analytics
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| Automated reporting | ||
| Conversion rate reports | ||
| Referral Reporting | ||
| Google Analytics tracking | ||
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Tax & Compliance
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| PCI Compliance | ||
| ADA Compliant | ||
| Tariffs | ||
| Multi-currency | ||
| GDPR compliant |
We analyzed 3 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
"We took a proactive approach and collaborated with Exely, implementing various strategies, such as a loyalty program. The outcome has been outstanding — not only have we been able..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
"Once we switched to Exely, we immediately noticed a significant increase in reservations from online travel agencies. We discovered that our previous system had blocked some availa..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
What hoteliers love
A very large share of reviews praise Exely’s support and customer success teams for quick responses, hands-on setup help, and solution-oriented guidan... A very large share of reviews praise Exely’s support and customer success teams for quick responses, hands-on setup help, and solution-oriented guidance. Hotels often describe the relationship as a true partnership that helps them launch faster, solve issues quickly, and use the platform more effectively.
The Booking Engine is repeatedly described as intuitive, fast, and easy for guests to complete reservations with minimal friction. Reviewers say the c... The Booking Engine is repeatedly described as intuitive, fast, and easy for guests to complete reservations with minimal friction. Reviewers say the clean flow, mobile-friendly behavior, and simple navigation improve the guest journey and help increase completed bookings.
Reviewers most often say Exely helps shift sales from OTAs to the hotel website, improving direct booking conversion and overall revenue. Many note th... Reviewers most often say Exely helps shift sales from OTAs to the hotel website, improving direct booking conversion and overall revenue. Many note that the Booking Engine drives more profitable direct sales, reduces commission costs, and helps hotels better control guest relationships.
Where hoteliers push back
Many reviewers want more advanced reporting, deeper filtering, and more customizable dashboards to better track bookings, revenue, channels, and conve... Many reviewers want more advanced reporting, deeper filtering, and more customizable dashboards to better track bookings, revenue, channels, and conversion performance. While basic reports are useful, buyers clearly see analytics as an area where Exely could become a stronger decision-making tool for revenue teams.
Hotels frequently ask for more control over the booking widget, website design, colors, invoices, emails, and confirmation pages so the experience bet... Hotels frequently ask for more control over the booking widget, website design, colors, invoices, emails, and confirmation pages so the experience better matches their brand. This matters because many reviewers want Exely to feel less templated and more differentiated for each property.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
A major theme is Simplotel’s responsive, helpful, and proactive support team, with users often mentioning fast issue resolution and strong follow-up.... A major theme is Simplotel’s responsive, helpful, and proactive support team, with users often mentioning fast issue resolution and strong follow-up. Several reviewers also appreciate the dedicated account contact and the sense of partnership in day-to-day operations.
Reviewers frequently describe Simplotel as intuitive, simple, and easy for staff to manage, both on the front end and back end. They value that it red... Reviewers frequently describe Simplotel as intuitive, simple, and easy for staff to manage, both on the front end and back end. They value that it reduces operational effort, speeds up workflows, and makes daily booking management easier for hotel teams.
Users often praise the booking engine and website for being fast, smooth, and reliable, with no lags, timeouts, or operational issues in many cases. S... Users often praise the booking engine and website for being fast, smooth, and reliable, with no lags, timeouts, or operational issues in many cases. Strong load times and stable performance are seen as important for keeping guests moving through the booking journey and preventing drop-offs.
Where hoteliers push back
Many reviewers want more flexible templates and customization to better reflect their hotel’s brand identity. While the current designs are often desc... Many reviewers want more flexible templates and customization to better reflect their hotel’s brand identity. While the current designs are often described as clean or modern, hotels want more control over layout, visuals, and promotional presentation to stand out online.
Users ask for stronger analytics, clearer reporting, and more visibility into booking behavior and conversion trends. Where available, analytics and j... Users ask for stronger analytics, clearer reporting, and more visibility into booking behavior and conversion trends. Where available, analytics and journey insights are valued because they help hotels optimize marketing, rate strategy, and revenue performance.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Exely Booking Engine and Simplotel Booking Engine share many core Booking Engine features, but each has unique capabilities. Exely Booking Engine offers 10 verified integration partners, while Simplotel Booking Engine offers 23. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Exely Booking Engine leads in ease of use at 4.9/5 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.
Exely Booking Engine: No. Simplotel Booking Engine: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Booking Engine 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. Exely has an HT Score of 96 and Simplotel has 85. 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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