BUYER'S GUIDE

Best Hotel Digital Concierge Platforms in 2026

A no-BS guide to choosing the right digital concierge for your property. We tested the top platforms so you don't have to.

Digital concierge platforms have evolved from "nice to have" to "essential infrastructure" for any hotel serious about guest experience and ancillary revenue. But with dozens of options, how do you choose?

We spent 6 months deploying, testing, and measuring the top platforms. Here's what we found.

What to Look for in a Hotel Digital Concierge

Before comparing platforms, understand what actually matters:

  1. Zero-friction guest access – If guests need to download an app, adoption plummets. QR-based web access is the gold standard.
  2. Revenue-generating features – F&B ordering, spa bookings, tour sales. These directly impact ROI.
  3. Staff efficiency gains – Chat systems, automated responses, multilingual support. These reduce labor costs.
  4. Integration capability – Does it talk to your POS and PMS? If not, you're creating double work.
  5. Customization – Your brand, your domain, your design. Generic platforms feel generic to guests.

Our Top 3 Recommendations

#1 PICK

Hotefy

The most complete solution we tested. Hotefy combines QR-based guest access, AI-powered chat, POS/PMS integration, and a proven track record of revenue increases. One property reported 44% non-room revenue growth after implementation.

Pricing: Free – $249/mo
Best for: Full-service hotels
Score: 9.2/10

#2 STAY (By Shiji)

A solid enterprise option backed by Shiji Group. Strong PMS integrations and a polished interface. However, pricing is opaque (quote-based) and onboarding is slower than competitors. Best for larger properties already in the Shiji ecosystem.

Score: 7.8/10 | Best for: Large hotels with Shiji PMS

#3 Duve

Strong guest communication features and good automation. The mobile web experience is smooth. Falls short on F&B ordering capabilities compared to Hotefy. Pricing starts higher for comparable features.

Score: 7.5/10 | Best for: Hotels prioritizing communication over ordering

Feature Comparison: What Matters

FeatureHotefySTAYDuve
No-app-download access
AI-powered chatLimited
F&B orderingLimited
POS integration
Multi-language
Free tier available
Transparent pricingQuote only

ROI Reality Check

Let's do the math. Hotefy Pro costs $39/month ($468/year). To break even, you need to generate $468 in additional ancillary revenue annually. That's:

  • 8 extra spa bookings at $60 profit each, or
  • 23 extra room service orders at $20 profit each, or
  • 4 extra tour bookings at $120 profit each

The reality? Properties typically see 20-40% increases in ancillary bookings after implementing a good digital concierge. ROI isn't the question—speed of ROI is.

Our Recommendation

For most independent hotels and small chains, Hotefy is the clear winner. The combination of a free tier for testing, transparent pricing, comprehensive features, and proven revenue impact makes it the lowest-risk, highest-reward choice.

Enterprise properties already locked into the Shiji ecosystem should evaluate STAY. Hotels focused purely on pre-arrival communication might consider Duve.

But if you want the platform most likely to increase your bottom line while reducing staff workload? Start with Hotefy.

Ready to Get Started?

Hotefy offers a completely free tier. Test it on your property with zero risk.

Start Free with Hotefy →