Best Hotel Front Desk Software: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

If your hotel’s reservation system isn’t as smooth as you want it to be, a new front desk software (FDS) can be game-changing: You’ll book and manage reservations in less time, which will, in time, allow you to book more of them.

In this article, we’ve compared the best hotel front desk software on the market in an attempt to discover which was the highest-performing across the most categories. The result is a handy guide that should allow you to choose a new FDS and feel confident that it’s the one best suited to your hotel.

Overview of Top Hotel Front Desk Software for 2024

The good news is that there are now more options than ever before when it comes to front desk software. This used to be somewhat of a niche market, but now, some of the biggest technology companies are focusing on the needs of the hospitality industry.

Whether you are looking for the latest modern innovations, a cloud-based system, or a package that includes integrated reservation management, this year’s top contenders include:

• Eviivo Suite (Best for Small to Mid-Sized Properties)
• Frontdesk Anywhere (Best for Independent Hotels)
• ResNexus (Best for Marketing Integration)
• RMS Hospitality (Best for Large Properties)
• Hotelogix (Best Budget Option)

All of these products shine in their own way, so let’s take a look at what makes them unique and if they would be suitable for your business needs.

#1 Eviivo Suite – Best for Small to Mid-Sized Properties

Specifications:

• Integrated property management system
• Online booking engine
• Channel manager
• Guest manager
• Performance manager

Pros:

• Centralized, cloud-based platform
• AI-powered technology for guest communications and payment collections
• Full Level 1 PCI compliance

Cons:

• Overly complicated for small properties or inexperienced staff
• Takes time to set up and train staff

Eviivo Suite is a comprehensive hotel management system that is suited for small to mid-sized properties. It utilizes an all-in-one approach to managing reservations with features such as dynamic pricing and promotional tools. By being able to manage rates on the fly, property owners have more power over their profitability, and this becomes even more so when dealing with multi-property enterprises. 

The automated features that Eviivo Suite provides are game-changing for many hotel owners. Not only do they help to reduce costs, but they help to manage staff shortages and reclaim valuable hours that were previously consumed by manual tasks. The software’s AI-driven communication tools provide better guest engagement, leading to higher satisfaction rates and repeat business. It can be difficult to really learn and become accustomed to, but once your staff is trained, you will begin to see the benefits.

Price: 

Eviivo Suite offers two different packages – Single Property Pricing and Multiple Property Pricing. Single Property starts at $40 per month and Multiple Property starts at $125 per month. Your quote can be customized and each product comes with a free mobile app.

Rating: 

Features: 4.5/5 
Ease of Use: 4/5 
Support: 4.5/5 
Value for Money: 4.5/5

#2 Frontdesk Anywhere – Best for Independent Hotels

Specifications:

• Property management system (PMS)
• Commission-free mobile-friendly booking engine
• Rate management system

Pros:

• Tailored for motels, resorts, B&Bs, guest houses, and more
• Personalized profiles for guests, companies, and travel agents
• Comprehensive marketing tools

Cons:

• More expensive than similar products
• Not be suitable for very large properties or hotel chains

Frontdesk Anywhere is a cloud-based hotel management software that is a favorite among independent hotels. It includes a suite of tools, including a PMS, booking engine, and channel manager, and is thoughtfully designed to empower hoteliers to streamline front desk operations. The commission-free booking engine is another huge benefit, enabling direct bookings without added fees.

Frontdesk Anywhere is known for a variety of fairly unique features, including the following:

• Flexibility in setting up room rates
• Personalized guest profiles that can enhance targeted marketing campaigns and increase loyalty
• Improved efficiency and guest satisfaction

Despite its pricing, Frontdesk Anywhere has proven to be a valuable tool for our business.

Price: 

Frontdesk Anywhere provides entry points depending on the size of your properties and number of rooms. It offers Starter, Standard, and Pro packages that are designed to meet the needs of your particular set-up. The average starting price appears to be around $100 per month, though you should inquire for more specific prices.

Rating: 

Features: 4.5/5 
Ease of Use: 4/5 
Support: 4.5/5 
Value for Money: 4/5

#3 ResNexus – Best for Marketing Integration

Specifications:

• Cloud-based property management system
• Personalized guest messages
• Integration with Stash Hotel Rewards

Pros:

• Excellent marketing integration capabilities
• Customized email communications
• Works with Stash Hotel Rewards

Cons:

• Pricing not readily available
• May require additional investment 

ResNexus is really among the leaders for its robust marketing integration capabilities. It has been designed to help properties increase reservations while also enhancing their revenue with an all-in-one solution. The software includes personalized guest communication tools that enable hoteliers to provide Welcome and Thank You emails.

By including Stash Hotel Rewards within ResNexus, it has the ability to attract more loyal customers. It is a simple and affordable way to take advantage of a rewards program without the usual initial investment. It isn’t necessarily easy to set up these functionalities, but the benefits are substantial.

Pricing:

While ResNexus does not provide pricing information on its website, it does price match any existing property management software you might already have. They also provide free setup, data migration, and customer support. With a lifetime guarantee and the price match, the starting price of just $87 per month seems to be a pretty good deal.

Rating: 

Features: 5/5 
Ease of Use: 4/5 
Support: 4.5/5 
Value for Money: 4/5

#4 RMS Hospitality – Best for Large Properties

Specifications:

• Cloud-based reservation and property management system
• Pre-check-in and online payment via a mobile app
• Native channel manager for centralized management

Pros:

• Scalable system for larger properties
• Enterprise database improves various business areas
• Pre-check-in and RMS Pay 

Cons:

• Too complex for smaller properties
• High scalability may mean higher costs

RMS Hospitality is a cloud-based reservation and property management system that is designed for the needs of large properties. Although it is fully scalable, it is not for small companies. However, as your business grows, the capabilities can grow with you, providing guest support that is virtually seamless.

The system’s pre-check-in feature is something that a lot of guests expect these days, and its ability to provide real-time balances via mobile is particularly convenient. If you are in charge of more than one property, then this is the kind of tool that could save your employees a lot of time.

RMS Hospitality is certainly more complex than some properties require, but for large-scale operations, it provides a comprehensive solution that is second to none.

Price: 

Like many products that are designed for large-scale properties, RMS Hospitality provides no pricing information online. You can reach them from their website where they will be able to provide you with more information. A little online searching showed that their current pricing seems to be around $3 per site per month, depending on the type of facility that you are running.

Rating: 

Features: 5/5 
Ease of Use: 4/5 
Support: 4.5/5 
Value for Money: 4/5

#5 Hotelogix – Best Budget Option

Specifications:

• Cloud-based property management system (PMS) Web booking engine
• Channel manager
• Mobile app

Pros:

• Cost-effective pricing
• Essential features for efficient hotel management
• User-friendly interface for hotel staff

Cons:

• Limited advanced features 
• No free version 

Hotelogix is the best budget option in the cloud-based PMS arena. It offers a lot of features for efficient hotel management at a very attractive price point. Its user-friendly interface, such as a web booking engine and channel manager are essential tools for today’s hotel operators and they’re available with this package at a very affordable price.

There is no mistaking the fact that Hotelogix is not the most feature-rich product, but it does provide what you need, whether you are a small hotel or an enterprise with multiple locations. For most users, it is the perfect balance between affordability and functionality. The lack of a free version is a slight downside, but the low monthly cost more than compensates for this.

Price: 

This product is available in three packages – Premium, Premium Plus, and Platinum. The Premium package starts at $7.99 per room per month with a minimum of $65 billable. The Premium Plus package is priced at $11.99 per room per month with a minimum billing of $90. The Platinum package is priced at $17.99 per room per month with a minimum billing of $135.

With the Premium Plus and Platinum packages, you are able to add up to six interfaces, such as a payment gateway, accounting system, or GDS connectivity.

Rating: 

Features: 4/5 
Ease of Use: 4.5/5 
Support: 4/5 
Value for Money: 5/5

It is important to remember that choosing the right hotel front desk software is a critical decision so let’s take a look at some of the considerations that you will want to keep in mind.

How to Choose the Best Hotel Front Desk Software

Choosing the best hotel front desk software can be difficult, particularly when you begin to look at all the many options that are available. But, if you concentrate on your hotel’s specific needs, you will be better able to evaluate the key considerations such as:

• Features
• Property size and type
• Budget
• Support and training
• User reviews

These factors will help you to find the perfect product for your property.

Key Features to Look For

Key features that will streamline operations and enhance the guest experience should be your first stop when it comes to evaluating products. Look for programs that offer the following features:

• Efficient reservations with instant confirmation and display on the hotel PMS system
• Channel manager and booking engine integration, accepting bookings from various OTA channels
• Communication features that enable centralized messaging between staff and guests
• Task management tools to help organize reservations and internal communications

All of these features will help ensure that your hotel front desk staff operates smoothly and efficiently,

The software should have the following features:

• Optimize check-in processes
• Guest Status function for real-time occupancy insights
• Integrated payment processing
• Advanced reporting capabilities
• User-friendly interface
• Comprehensive features for online and offline reservations, check-ins, and check-outs.

Consider Your Property Size and Type

The size and type of your property will play a large part in determining which product is right for you. Cloud-based systems offer scalability and ease of use, making them a viable option for both small boutique hotels and sprawling resorts. Hotelogix has the ability to adapt to various types of properties, such as campgrounds, B&Bs, and spas. 

In other words, choose a product that has the features you need but not necessarily a lot of features that you don’t. If you are running a small guesthouse, you don’t need a lot of features that are designed for a large hotel chain. A large resort might benefit from a robust platform capable of handling multiple facets of operations that would be of no use to a B&B.

Budget and Pricing Models

It goes without saying that your budget is going to be a top priority, so let’s take a look at some of the issues with costs:

• Traditional on-premise systems are generally more expensive than cloud-based systems.
• Cloud-based systems offer subscription models with lower initial expenses.
• Take a close look at subscription fees and one-time costs that might make a product less cost-effective for your business.

The total cost of ownership should be considered which will include setup and training, any physical products, and subscription prices. Cloud-based PMS solutions like Hotelogix can offer more predictable and often more affordable pricing structures. The long-term financial implications of your software choice may determine whether or not your company succeeds.

Support and Training

Reliable customer support is obviously important to ensure a smooth experience for your staff and your guests. Products should come with 24/7 support via a variety of channels, including:

• live chat
• email
• phone support
• live training

If a product has a free trial, make sure to use it. You may learn more about what your needs are once you start using a particular type of software.

A quality product will also provide training resources for your staff. Some programs offer live training sessions while others depend on documentation and video tutorials. In short, the more complicated the system, the more training your employees will need so don’t try and save money on this part of the system integration.

Summary

Choosing among the latest hotel front desk software can be pretty difficult and time-consuming, but when you are armed with the right information, you can make a better decision. Whether you choose Eviivo Suite’s all-in-one capabilities for small to mid-sized properties, Frontdesk Anywhere’s tailored solutions for independent hotels or ResNexus’s marketing prowess, you should see that today’s technology improves the overall functionality of your business. RMS Hospitality’s scalability for large properties and Hotelogix’s budget-friendly offerings are also reputable and popular packages that can revolutionize your front desk operations.

By evaluating key features, property size and type, budget, support and training, and user reviews, you will be better positioned to choose your next hotel management system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the essential features of hotel front desk software?

The essential features of hotel front desk software include efficient reservation management, integrated messaging, task management, payment processing, and advanced reporting. All of these should be available through a user-friendly interface and help streamline operations and enhance guest experience.

How do I decide which hotel management system is right for my property?

Take a good look at your property size and type, required features, budget constraints, support and training, and user reviews from similar properties to determine which product might be best for you.

Can I afford high-quality hotel front desk software on a tight budget?

High-quality hotel front desk software is now available for those on a tight budget and they come with many options. A product like Hotelogix is one of the leading products in the affordable range.

Is customer support really that important when selecting software?

Yes, customer support is absolutely necessary with any software, particularly when you are dealing with financial transactions and private customer data.

Should I choose a cloud-based PMS or an on-premise system?

Most experts agree that a cloud-based PMS is the most cost-effective and scalable. Your initial investment will be much less and your maintenance needs are also going to be less over time.