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

The Decision

Choosing between Crave Mobile Platform by Crave Interactive and Drop.in Guest App hinges on your hotel’s specific needs for guest engagement and operational automation. Both solutions aim to enhance guest experiences through mobile and digital tools, but they approach this goal differently.

Crave’s platform centers on mobile access and service automation within your property, offering a wide array of features for food, beverage, and service ordering. Drop.in emphasizes streamline check-in, digital keys, and self-service functionalities that reduce staff workload and speed up guest arrivals.

Are you prioritizing extensive service features or a straightforward, self-service guest journey? Your decision should align with your hotel’s operational focus and guest expectations.

Is Crave Mobile Platform or Drop.in Guest App Better for Hotels?

Crave offers a comprehensive mobile platform with 25+ features, including contactless ordering, multi-menu options, POS integrations, and NFC payments, tailored for hotels seeking to maximize guest engagement across various touchpoints. Its reviews highlight a high overall rating (4.75/5) and strong support, with a focus on food and service automation.

Drop.in, with fewer features (3 exclusive, totaling 12 with shared ones), concentrates on automating the check-in process, digital keys, and guest self-service, primarily reducing front desk workloads. It boasts a recent review count (26 in last 6 months) and a higher HT score (78.2 vs. 75.1), indicating more current user feedback.

While Crave is suited to hotels wanting extensive service options, Drop.in is optimized for properties seeking to streamline arrivals and reduce operational costs. Do your guests value a full-service mobile experience or quick, contactless check-in?

Crave vs Drop.in: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a broad guest engagement platform with in-app ordering, integrated payment options, and multiple menu choices, Crave is the better fit. Its features support revenue growth through upselling, while its user-friendly interface scores highly among users.

If your focus is on simplifying arrival procedures, reducing front desk staff, and enabling self-check-in with digital keys, Drop.in is the right choice. Its seamless check-in flow and digital access are praised for cutting queue times and increasing efficiency.

For luxury or full-service hotels aiming to upsell dining and amenities, Crave’s feature set justifies its higher complexity. Conversely, for budget hotels, hostels, or properties emphasizing operational automation, Drop.in’s straightforward approach delivers immediate value.

Is Crave or Drop.in Easier to Use?

Crave’s interface has a 4.61/5 rating, praised for its intuitive design and helpful onboarding, but some users mention menu customization can be complex. Customer support is rated very highly at 4.79/5, with reviews highlighting rapid and helpful responses.

Drop.in’s simplicity earns a similar 4.58/5 usability score, with many reviewers emphasizing how quickly staff and guests adapt to its self-service features. Its ease of integration with reservation systems further simplifies operations.

Edge: Crave.

Which Has Better Features: Crave or Drop.in?

Crave boasts 25 unique features, including web-based access, QR codes, Apple Pay, in-venue ordering, contactless payments, and POS integrations—covering a broader set of service automation tools. Drop.in offers 3 exclusive features—mobile check-in, guest profiles, and app download—focused on streamlining arrivals and self-service.

Crave’s extensive feature set supports a wide range of guest services, while Drop.in’s core strengths lie in automating check-in and enabling digital keys. If you need extensive in-hotel service features, Crave is the clear winner.

Edge: Crave.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Crave or Drop.in?

Crave’s customer support ratings are exceptional at 4.79/5, with reviews praising their quick, proactive assistance and effective problem-solving. Users report that Crave’s support team is responsive and knowledgeable, often resolving issues within hours.

Drop.in’s support scores 4.46/5, with positive comments on collaboration but some desire for faster response times. Its support is still strong but not as highly rated as Crave’s.

Edge: Crave.

Which Has More Integrations: Crave or Drop.in?

Crave offers 17 verified integration partners, including major property management and POS systems like Oracle Hospitality, Infor, Kipsu, and Amadeus. Drop.in has only 4 verified partners, including Mews, Goki, Stayntouch, and FLEXIPASS, with fewer options for external system integration.

If your hotel relies on diverse back-end systems, Crave’s broader integration ecosystem provides more flexibility and operational cohesion. Drop.in’s limited integrations might restrict customization for larger or more complex properties.

Edge: Crave.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Crave or Drop.in?

Crave’s overall rating of 4.75/5 and recent review activity (48 reviews, all recent) reflect strong, current satisfaction across segments, especially luxury and branded hotels. Its reviews mention excellent support, usability, and system reliability.

Drop.in, with fewer reviews (26, all in last 6 months), has a slightly higher HT score (78.2 vs. 75.1), but less review volume makes its reputation less established. Hoteliers in the recent review cycle seem satisfied but with less detailed feedback.

Edge: Crave.

How Much Do Crave and Drop.in Cost?

Crave’s pricing model is a flat $400 setup fee, with no mention of monthly fees or trial options. Drop.in charges $600 upfront with no ongoing fees or free trial.

Crave’s lower initial cost and straightforward pricing make it attractive for hotels seeking value, though its extensive feature set may come with additional costs for customization. Drop.in’s slightly higher price reflects its focus on core automation features.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Crave?

• Hotels that want a comprehensive mobile guest engagement platform with extensive service features.
• Properties seeking to increase ancillary revenue through upselling and in-app ordering.
• Hotels with the capacity to support a more complex system requiring customization.
• Venues with a focus on food, beverage, and service automation, like resorts, branded hotels, or boutique hotels.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel needs only basic check-in or minimal automation.
• You prefer a simple, no-fuss solution.
• Your property has limited tech support resources.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Drop.in?

• Hotels prioritizing quick check-in and check-out processes.
• Budget properties or hostels aiming to cut staffing costs.
• Hotels with high guest turnover, such as airports, conference centers, or urban hotels.
• Properties wishing to offer digital keys and self-service options to enhance guest convenience.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel requires extensive in-room service or in-venue ordering.
• You need broad integrations with multiple hotel systems.
• You want advanced features like digital menus or contactless ordering.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Crave’s platform excels in delivering a broad array of guest services through mobile, with a focus on food and beverage, guest engagement, and system integrations. Its high user ratings, support quality, and feature depth make it suitable for hotels seeking a full-service mobile engagement solution.

Drop.in provides a streamlined, self-service experience tailored to automating arrivals and reducing operational costs. Its core strengths are digital check-in, keys, and guest self-management, making it ideal for properties focused on efficiency and minimal staff intervention.

Choose Crave if your hotel needs extensive guest engagement tools, seamless integrations, and a proven support team. Opt for Drop.in if your priority is fast, automated guest arrivals with less emphasis on in-hotel service features.

In summary, Crave is better suited for hotels that want a robust, feature-rich platform to boost revenue and guest experience. Drop.in is the better choice for hotels focused on operational automation and reducing front desk workload.