LIKE MAGIC vs. Guest Services by SmartStay: Which Is Right for You?

Updated June 9, 2026  ·  33 verified reviews analyzed

TLDR

We analyzed 33 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:

LIKE MAGIC shines in ease of use and customer support , with exclusive features like Guest Messaging and Guest Profiles.

Liverton shines , with exclusive features like Hotel Website Check-in Portal and Lobby Kiosk.

See the full breakdown below ↓

How Does LIKE MAGIC Compare to Guest Services by SmartStay?

Side-by-side ratings based on 33 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.

HTScore
78
0
Likelihood to Recommend
99%
93%
Ease of Use
5.0/5
4.6/5
Customer Support
4.8/5
4.3/5
Value for Money
4.9/5
4.3/5
Starting Price From $700/mo From $500/mo
Verified Reviews 26 7

What Are the Pros and Cons of LIKE MAGIC vs Guest Services by SmartStay?

After analyzing 33 verified reviews, LIKE MAGIC users most value its operational efficiency, guest experience, complexity reduction, while Liverton users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.

LIKE MAGIC LIKE MAGIC Liverton Liverton
Pros
+ Operational Efficiency
+ Guest Experience
+ Complexity Reduction
+ Booking Engine Performance
Cons
Customization and Branding
Room Upgrade Functionality

LIKE MAGIC vs Liverton: Rankings by Hotel Segment

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

Segment LIKE MAGIC LIKE MAGIC Liverton Liverton
Small (10-24 rooms) #8 10 reviews
Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) #14 8 reviews #22 4 reviews
Large (75-199 rooms) #13 3 reviews #15 2 reviews
X-Large (200+ rooms) #14 1 reviews

By Property Type

Segment LIKE MAGIC LIKE MAGIC Liverton Liverton
Boutique #17 6 reviews #24 2 reviews
Luxury #28 2 reviews #19 3 reviews
Branded / Chain #16 3 reviews #19 2 reviews
Extended Stay #4 13 reviews

By Region

Segment LIKE MAGIC LIKE MAGIC Liverton Liverton
North America #30 1 reviews #21 0 reviews
Europe #9 24 reviews

The Decision

Choosing between LIKE MAGIC by LIKE MAGIC and Guest Services by SmartStay by Liverton hinges on your hotel’s specific needs. Both aim to improve guest experience and streamline operations, but they approach these goals differently. LIKE MAGIC offers a comprehensive, AI-enhanced guest app with a focus on automation and operational efficiency. In contrast, Liverton emphasizes digital check-in, upselling, and in-room guest services, integrating more deeply with POS and PMS systems. Which aligns better with your hotel’s priorities?

Is LIKE MAGIC or Guest Services by Liverton Better for Hotels?

LIKE MAGIC and Liverton both serve as hotel guest apps but cater to different operational philosophies. LIKE MAGIC’s all-in-one platform centers on automating the entire guest journey, from booking to post-stay, with AI-driven interactions and a focus on reducing staff workload. Liverton emphasizes digital check-in, upselling, and in-room service requests, integrating detailed features like device-agnostic check-in and food ordering, with extensive upsell options. Do you prefer automation and streamlined guest communication, or a more feature-rich, in-room experience?

LIKE MAGIC boasts a higher overall rating (0/5, but from 26 reviews, with recent data indicating strong support), while Liverton’s reviews are limited and lack recent feedback. LIKE MAGIC’s recent reviews highlight its ease of use, high support quality, and positive hotel outcomes, unlike Liverton’s sparse and mostly outdated feedback. Given the volume and recency, LIKE MAGIC presents a more reliable choice. Are you seeking a platform with proven performance and ongoing development?

LIKE MAGIC vs Guest Services by Liverton: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a broad, automated guest journey with AI-driven personalization, choose LIKE MAGIC. It’s ideal for hotels prioritizing operational efficiency, automation, and guest engagement, especially with its high review count and recent positive feedback. Conversely, if your hotel requires detailed upselling, digital check-in, and extensive guest request features tightly integrated with POS and PMS systems, Liverton could fit better. But with only 7 reviews, Liverton’s limited data makes it a less certain choice.

Your decision should hinge on whether automation (LIKE MAGIC) or in-room upselling and service (Liverton) align more with your business model. For hotels aiming to reduce staff and streamline guest interactions, LIKE MAGIC is the clear leader. Need a feature-rich system for in-room and upsell options? Liverton’s more extensive feature set might appeal, but its limited recent reviews diminish confidence.

Is LIKE MAGIC or Guest Services by Liverton Easier to Use?

LIKE MAGIC’s UI is rated at 4.96/5, with an onboarding rating of 4.8/5, reflecting a highly intuitive and user-friendly experience. Users mention its modern interface and straightforward setup, which simplifies staff training and guest adoption. Liverton’s ease-of-use score is slightly lower at 4.57/5, with onboarding at 4.5/5, but some users report challenges during initial trials and less clarity on support responsiveness.

Considering the review scores and feedback, LIKE MAGIC’s user experience is more refined, with recent reviews confirming its simplicity and staff acceptance. Edge: LIKE MAGIC.

Which Has Better Features: LIKE MAGIC or Guest Services by Liverton?

LIKE MAGIC offers 10 unique features, including request management, room service ordering, guest messaging, digital keys, and mobile check-in/out. Liverton provides 20 features, such as hotel website check-in, device-agnostic check-in, document scanning, multi-lingual support, and pre-arrival upselling, making its feature set more extensive.

However, the core differentiator is the quality and integration of features. LIKE MAGIC’s features are highly focused on automation and guest engagement, while Liverton’s broader suite is more operationally detailed, especially in upselling and in-room services. Edge: Liverton, for feature depth.

Which Has Better Customer Support: LIKE MAGIC or Guest Services by Liverton?

LIKE MAGIC’s support is rated at 4.85/5, with recent reviews praising its responsiveness and proactive approach. Hotel operators mention support staff as knowledgeable and quick to resolve issues, contributing to high satisfaction. Liverton’s support score is lower at 4.29/5, with reviews indicating generally helpful service but occasional frustrations and less recent feedback.

LIKE MAGIC’s recent support reviews point to a more reliable, responsive service experience. Edge: LIKE MAGIC.

Which Has More Integrations: LIKE MAGIC or Guest Services by Liverton?

LIKE MAGIC integrates with 10 verified partners, including Mews, Oracle Hospitality, and SALTO Systems, providing a solid ecosystem. Liverton features 8 verified integrations, including Shiji, Cloudbeds, and RMS, with some overlap like Oracle and PMS systems.

While Liverton offers a slightly lower number of integrations, it covers key systems for many hotels. But LIKE MAGIC’s broader partner network, combined with recent reviews emphasizing smooth integrations, gives it an edge. Edge: LIKE MAGIC.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: LIKE MAGIC or Guest Services by Liverton?

LIKE MAGIC, with 26 reviews and recent feedback, boasts a 99% likelihood to recommend and an overall rating of 0/5 (from the review count, which is likely a rating scale). Liverton, with only 7 reviews, has a 93% likelihood to recommend, and its fewer reviews limit confidence.

Hotels using LIKE MAGIC report significant improvements in operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. Liverton’s sparse data and lack of recent reviews make it harder to gauge current satisfaction levels. Edge: LIKE MAGIC.

How Much Do LIKE MAGIC and Guest Services by Liverton Cost?

LIKE MAGIC charges a flat $700 monthly fee with no trial or implementation fees. Liverton is priced at $500 upfront, with no ongoing monthly fees or trial information available. The total cost suggests LIKE MAGIC is slightly more expensive but offers a comprehensive, ongoing service.

Pricing considerations should also include the value of features, integration, support, and scalability, all of which favor LIKE MAGIC’s more mature offering.

What Type of Hotel Should Use LIKE MAGIC?

  • Hotels seeking a fully automated, AI-driven guest experience platform.
  • Properties aiming to reduce staffing levels and streamline operations.
  • Hotels valuing operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.
  • Urban, city-center, or branded hotels wanting seamless guest communication.
  • Teams focused on upselling, digital concierge, and contactless check-in.
  • Not ideal if you require extensive in-room upselling features or detailed customization.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Guest Services by Liverton?

  • Hotels that prioritize detailed in-room services and upselling.
  • Properties needing tight integration with POS and PMS systems.
  • Hotels capable of managing extensive feature sets and complex configurations.
  • Larger hotels or resorts with a focus on in-room F&B and upsell packages.
  • Teams looking for device-agnostic, multilingual support.
  • Not ideal if you need a proven, highly-rated platform with recent reviews or a simpler user experience.

LIKE MAGIC vs Guest Services by Liverton: The Bottom Line for Hotels

LIKE MAGIC’s core advantage is its high-rated, AI-enhanced automation and user-friendly interface. It simplifies guest interactions at scale, making it especially suitable for hotels focused on operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.

Choose LIKE MAGIC if you want a platform with proven recent performance, strong support, and a focus on automating the entire guest journey. It’s the clearer option for hotels aiming for streamlined operations and increased revenue through automation.

On the other hand, Liverton offers a broader array of features, especially for in-room services, upselling, and detailed guest interaction options. It’s better suited for hotels that need extensive in-room functionalities and tight PMS/POS integration, but limited recent reviews diminish confidence in its current performance.

In summary, if your hotel values reliability, recent positive feedback, and automating guest engagement, LIKE MAGIC is the superior choice. If you prioritize depth in in-room features and upselling capabilities, and can navigate less recent feedback, Liverton might be worth considering.

How Much Do LIKE MAGIC and Guest Services by SmartStay Cost?

Hotel Guest Apps pricing is rarely straightforward. Here is what we know from each vendor's public pricing data. Always request a custom quote for your property size.

LIKE MAGIC LIKE MAGIC Liverton Liverton
Starting Price From $700/mo From $500/mo

Which Features Does LIKE MAGIC Have That Guest Services by SmartStay Doesn't (and Vice Versa)?

According to HTR's product database, LIKE MAGIC and Guest Services by SmartStay share 0 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.

Feature LIKE MAGIC LIKE MAGIC Liverton Liverton
App download
Device Agnostic
Easy Room Selection
Guest Messaging
Guest Profiles
Hotel Website Check-in Portal
Lobby Kiosk
Request Management
Room Service Ordering
Self Service Checkin
Self Service Checkout
Web-app

Showing top differences. 18 more features differ between these products.

Real-World Results: LIKE MAGIC vs Liverton by Business Goal

We analyzed 4 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.

Increase Operational Efficiency
LIKE MAGIC The Zipper Hotel & Apartments Small
+ 80% fewer staff while maintaining operational efficiency
+ 4.6/5 rating on Google, 8.8+ on Booking.com
+ Easy to understand and use - employees have fun to work with. Fully trained staff in just 1.5 days.

"Like Magic allowed us to operate with just six staff members, without compromising guest experience. The platform is easy to use, fun to work with, and has revolutionized how we ru..."

Liverton Liverton

No published case study for this goal yet.

Improve Guest Experience
LIKE MAGIC Stay Kooook Small
+ Lean operations: Reduced staffing needs to 2.5 FTE for an 85-room property
+ Guest Journey adoption: Enabled 95% of guests to manage their entire stay digitally.
+ Decreased staff training time to under four hours for new employees.

"LIKE MAGIC isn't just a tool for us, it's the backbone of our overall guest experience. If I ever worked somewhere else, I'd bring it with me."

Cedric Maderer
Cedric Maderer
Product Manager
Liverton Liverton

No published case study for this goal yet.

LIKE MAGIC vs Liverton: The Bottom Line

LIKE MAGIC
LIKE MAGIC
5.0/5 from 26 reviews

What hoteliers love

Operational Efficiency 100% positive

LikeMagic significantly enhances operational efficiency by offering features such as online check-in and an integrated booking engine. It allows hotel... LikeMagic significantly enhances operational efficiency by offering features such as online check-in and an integrated booking engine. It allows hotels to automate many processes, reducing the need for external systems and enabling staff to focus more on guest experiences.

Guest Experience 100% positive

Guests benefit from a smooth and comprehensive experience using the app, enjoying seamless interactions and a well-organized journey from check-in to... Guests benefit from a smooth and comprehensive experience using the app, enjoying seamless interactions and a well-organized journey from check-in to check-out. The tailored guest journey is a notable positive aspect, enhancing satisfaction.

Complexity Reduction 100% positive

LikeMagic reduces the complexity of hotel operations by providing a consolidated solution that eliminates the need for multiple third-party interfaces... LikeMagic reduces the complexity of hotel operations by providing a consolidated solution that eliminates the need for multiple third-party interfaces, thus lowering operational costs and complexity.

Where hoteliers push back

Customization and Branding 100% negative

Some users are disappointed by the cancellation of custom branding functionality for the platform, highlighting a need for more personalized control o... Some users are disappointed by the cancellation of custom branding functionality for the platform, highlighting a need for more personalized control over the guest portal's UI and UX for better alignment with their brand.

Room Upgrade Functionality 100% negative

Users have expressed a desire for a room upgrade function to be integrated, allowing guests to easily upgrade their rooms through the app, which is cu... Users have expressed a desire for a room upgrade function to be integrated, allowing guests to easily upgrade their rooms through the app, which is currently lacking and noted as a potential improvement.

Ranks higher for

Large (75-199 rooms) #13 vs #15
Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) #14 vs #22
Bed & Breakfast & Inns #18 vs #23
Boutique #17 vs #24

Unique capabilities

Request Management Room Service Ordering Guest Messaging App download Web-app
5.0/5 ease of use 4.9/5 support 10 integrations
Visit Website
Liverton
Liverton
4.7/5 from 7 reviews

Ranks higher for

Hostels #12 vs #16
Luxury #19 vs #28
Resorts #27 vs #31
AU #2 vs #5

Unique capabilities

Hotel Website Check-in Portal Lobby Kiosk Self Service Checkin Self Service Checkout Device Agnostic
4.6/5 ease of use 4.3/5 support 8 integrations
Visit Profile

Where the ratings diverge most

Ease of Use LIKE MAGIC 5.0 vs 4.6 (+0.4)
Customer Support LIKE MAGIC 4.9 vs 4.3 (+0.6)
Value for Money LIKE MAGIC 4.9 vs 4.3 (+0.6)

Frequently Asked Questions About LIKE MAGIC vs Guest Services by SmartStay

Can LIKE MAGIC replace Guest Services by SmartStay?

It depends on your requirements. LIKE MAGIC and Guest Services by SmartStay share many core Hotel Guest Apps features, but each has unique capabilities. LIKE MAGIC offers 10 verified integration partners, while Guest Services by SmartStay offers 8. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.

Which is better for small or independent hotels?

Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. LIKE MAGIC leads in ease of use at 5.0/5 vs 4.6/5. 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.

Do LIKE MAGIC or Guest Services by SmartStay offer a free plan?

LIKE MAGIC: No. Guest Services by SmartStay: 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.

How Does HTR Evaluate and Rank LIKE MAGIC and Guest Services by SmartStay?

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. LIKE MAGIC has an HT Score of 78 and Liverton has 0. Here is how the score is calculated.

Criteria Group Weight What It Measures
Customer Ratings & Reviews

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

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

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

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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