Crave Mobile Platform (acq by HCN) vs. Guestnet:
Lequel vous convient le mieux ?

The Decision

Choosing between Crave Mobile Platform and Guestnet hinges on your hotel’s specific needs and operational priorities. Both products aim to enhance guest engagement, streamline communication, and improve service delivery, but they approach these goals differently. Crave offers a primarily app-based, service-oriented platform with extensive feature options, while Guestnet emphasizes a fully customizable web-app with strong integrations. How do these differences align with your hotel’s goals?

Crave’s platform is well-suited for hotels that want a dedicated, app-based solution for mobile ordering, guest interaction, and service automation, especially if they value detailed analytics and a broad feature set. Guestnet, on the other hand, is better if seamless integration, flexible content management, and a no-installation experience are priorities. Which approach best fits your operational model?

Is Crave Mobile Platform or Guestnet Better for Hotels?

Both platforms seek to elevate guest experiences but focus on different strengths. Crave provides a mobile app that guests access via QR codes and offers multiple contactless payment options, making it ideal for hotels prioritizing direct service automation and in-venue ordering. Guestnet excels with its web-based approach, allowing guests to engage without downloading an app, which can improve adoption rates and simplify updates.

Crave’s heavy feature set, including NFC, contactless payments, and in-venue ordering, makes it a strong choice for hotels seeking advanced service automation. Guestnet’s strengths lie in its full customization, strong PMS integrations, and ability to operate across multiple channels—web, print, TV, without requiring app downloads. Do you prefer a dedicated app experience or a flexible, browser-based solution?

Crave vs Guestnet: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a comprehensive, app-based guest engagement platform with advanced ordering and payment features, Crave is the clear winner. Its 16 unique features—like NFC, QR codes, and multi-menu ordering—are ideal for properties aiming to maximize on-site service automation and guest interaction.

If your hotel prioritizes seamless integration with existing systems, a fully customizable interface, and no app download barrier, Guestnet is the better fit. With more recent reviews and 152 total, its user-friendly web-app supports personalized content, real-time updates, and powerful PMS integrations—making it suitable for upscale and independent hotels.

Edge: Guestnet.

Is Crave or Guestnet Easier to Use?

Crave’s interface is praised for its simplicity—reviewers highlight that it is “super customizable” yet very intuitive, with a user rating of 4.61/5. The onboarding process is well-rated at 4.57/5, and support is considered prompt and helpful, but some found menu creation a bit complex.

Guestnet’s platform scores slightly higher for ease of use, at 4.74/5, with reviewers emphasizing its intuitive design and straightforward setup. Support and onboarding are also rated highly (4.82/5 and 4.66/5 respectively), and users appreciate how quickly staff and guests adapt to the web-based interface.

Edge: Guestnet.

Which Has Better Features: Crave or Guestnet?

Crave offers 16 features exclusive to its platform, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, in-venue ordering, contactless ordering, POS, and NFC. These advanced features facilitate a highly automated, contactless guest experience and are particularly useful during health-conscious moments or for luxury services.

Guestnet provides 3 unique features—guest profiles, mobile check-in, and app download—focusing on seamless communication and digital guest management. While its feature count is lower, its strong PMS integration and customization options enable tailored communication and operational flexibility.

Edge: Crave.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Crave or Guestnet?

Both products receive near-perfect ratings for support, with Crave at 4.79/5 and Guestnet at 4.82/5. Crave’s reviews praise its quick response times and helpful staff, with comments like “their service team addressed my questions at any time of day or night,” indicating high reliability.

Guestnet’s customer support is also highly regarded, with many users noting their team’s availability and helpfulness. One review states, “Guestnet’s support team is always available and helpful,” making it a strong choice for hotels seeking ongoing assistance.

Edge: Guestnet.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Crave or Guestnet?

Guestnet experiences more recent reviews and has a higher overall rating (96.36) compared to Crave’s 75.16 on the HT Score. Its total review count (152) surpasses Crave’s 48, with recent feedback highlighting ease of use, customization, and support.

Crave’s ratings are slightly lower, mainly due to older reviews and fewer recent reviews, which reduces confidence in current performance. Hotels that value the latest feedback and higher overall ratings will find Guestnet more appealing.

Edge: Guestnet.

How Much Do Crave and Guestnet Cost?

Crave’s base price is $400 per month, with no freemium or trial options, making it a predictable investment for hotels seeking a comprehensive platform. Guestnet’s base fee is $500 per month, also without trial or freemium options, slightly higher but justified by its broader integrations and customization.

Pricing reflects the scope of features; Crave’s extensive functionalities might justify its slightly lower price point for hotels prioritizing automation. Both are subscription models with no implementation fees disclosed, so consider your budget and required features.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Crave?

• Hotels that want an app-based, contactless, and in-venue ordering experience.
• Properties aiming for high levels of automation, including NFC, Apple Pay, and POS integration.
• Hotels with a focus on food and beverage service automation, especially during health-conscious times.
• Large hotels or resorts seeking detailed data insights and analytics.
• Hotels that prioritize quick order processing and integrated payments.

Not ideal if your hotel prefers a browser-based solution or less reliance on mobile apps, or if you need a more straightforward, less feature-rich system.

Not ideal if: Your hotel prefers a minimal setup, or if staff and guests are less tech-savvy and resistant to app-based interfaces.

• Hotels that value extensive customization and seamless PMS integration without app downloads.
• Properties seeking to automate guest communication across multiple channels.
• Hotels desiring digital guest compendiums, automated updates, and tailored content.
• Independent or boutique hotels aiming for a flexible, scalable guest experience.
• Hotels that want a solution supporting paperless operations and environmental sustainability.

Not ideal if your hotel requires a simple, out-of-the-box solution without extensive setup, or if your focus is on in-venue ordering and contactless payments.

Not ideal if: Your hotel has limited IT support or prefers a less customizable, more straightforward system.

Crave vs Guestnet: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Crave offers a robust, feature-rich platform designed for large, service-oriented hotels that want a dedicated app with extensive automation options. Its strengths lie in in-venue ordering, contactless payments, and detailed data insights, making it ideal for luxury or high-volume properties.

Guestnet provides a highly adaptable, web-based guest experience platform with superior recent reviews and high satisfaction scores. It’s best suited for hotels seeking seamless integrations, customization, and a no-download approach that appeals to a broad range of property types.

For hotels prioritizing advanced service automation and a wide feature set, Crave is the choice. If ease of use, recent high ratings, and integrated communication matter most, Guestnet should be your preferred solution.

Edge: Guestnet.