7 Best HotSOS Alternatives To Use In 2023

What Is HotSOS?

HotSOS is a service optimization software suite from Amadeus Hospitality. This product has been around for decades, helping hoteliers manage maintenance, inspections, guest requests, housekeeping and more.

HotSOS helps hotels to standardize procedures, complete and track work across hotel teams. Their reports help optimize core services that drive revenue and protect brand image.

Due to the longevity of the product in market, most hotel managers are well aware of Hotsos and use it as the measuring stick of any other hotel workforce management platform.

In 2023, HotSOS is still a powerful platform and has many hotel specific tools but for many teams the user interface and lack of frontline friendly mobile app make it hard to justify the high price point.

Let's start by breaking down why hotel customers love and hate HotSOS, and then look at some HotSOS alternatives to consider.

4 Things Customers Reportedly Like About HotSOS

HotSOS offers a blend of hotel management system capabilities, and some explicit features that makes it easier for front desk management to streamline their operations.

1. HotSOS IVR

A relevant example, on latter note, would be the integrated guest calling and management feature. Known as HotSOS IVR, the feature helps hotel workers to connect HotSOS with the facility’s very own call system. This way, these workers, or hospitality managers, can check in on guests, their individual requirements and wellbeing on the go.

2. Historic Data Maintenance

If there are repeat visitors from VIP category, hotel front desk workers can retrieve the guest info to get all the detailed information on the person’s previous stay history. Whatever a VIP guest likes, their check in and check out timings, food preferences and menu order history as long as past stay information is concerned, can be pulled up via HotSOS.

3. Multi Lingual Support

Back in 2007, according to ‘Hospitality Net’, HotSOS went global with the announcement of multi language support sprawling over Russian, Chinese, Japanese and French. By now, the support library has increased drastically, which shows the extent of robustness that HotSOS devs have put into making the software easier to use for people all over the world.

4. Cloud Based Support & Data Protection

Like other popular HotSOS alternatives in the hotel, compliance and facility management realm, HotSOS operates in the cloud.

It means that you don’t have to download a package installer to install the software.

Cloud support also translates to 24/7 data retrieval and remote access for hotel and facility employees, regardless of their mobility and location.

4 HotSOS Complaints and Shortfalls to Consider

1. High Price Point

HotSOS gained traction in the hotel market when properties were used to paying insane enterprise technology fees for half-decent software. Times have changed. Development has improved to allow other products to outperform HotSOS in the core functionality at a much lower price point and a friendlier user interface.

2. Outdated User Interface

Some people believe that HotSOS is falling behind in innovating the experience to suit an improved user interface. There are many reports that the interface can be slow and laggy when switching between screens. According to one verified user who used HotSOS for over 2 years as a general manager in a hospitality company with over 10,000 employees:

This software hasn't received updates and redesigns of its competitors resulting in an experience which feels outdated.

3. Lack of Focus on Mobile App

HotSOS is not known for their easy to use, intuitive user interface. They are known because of their first mover advantage and longstanding relationships with properties, as well as their ability to integrate with other legacy systems such as Opera. This means that the mobile app experience of HotSOS leaves much to be improved upon. In the end, the lack of improvement to the frontline usability is the biggest reason why competitors have been able to steal market share.

4. Difficult to Use

HotSOS was built in a time where software varied greatly between programs and thus takes a lot of education to learn how to use all the features. Blair, a front desk manager and HotSOS user for 2+ years states that:

It takes time and training for someone to get used to all the features of HotSOS. There are so many symbols.

another front office manager, Johana believes HotSOS is a great back up for hospitality but states that HotSOS lacks the training and customer support necessary to be able to effectively apply all the tools that HotSOS provides.

7 Best HotSOS Alternatives You Should Check Out Today

For anyone looking to extensively use a long term hotel management solution for the year 2023 and beyond, here’s a list of handy HotSOS alternatives to consider using.

1. Xenia

Xenia helps hotel management to standardize operations and manage work across every team. With a ready to use template library and form builder, you can creates checklists, standard operating procedures, inspections and logs to help you formalize operations across all teams. Every tool can be attached to tasks, assigned to teams and individuals, and tracked in real time. Analytics dashboards and report exports allow you deep insight into your hotel.

On the mobile app, employees can see and complete all tasks, attach photos, complete checklists and logs, looping in teammates as needed with integrated chat. For management, all tasks are saved and easily organized for reporting and analysis. Xenia makes everything from housekeeping to preventive maintenance and work order management easy with scheduled and recurring tasks, visible in a built in calendar and organizable based on category, priority, assignee, status and more.

When comparing Xenia to HotSOS, the biggest advantage is the price point. HotSOS charges $900+ for a license, whereas an annual membership to Xenia starts at $59 per month for 20 users. For many hotels, this price break is a game changer for their bottom line.

Key Features:

• Operations Template Builder: Drive standardization with custom operating procedures, data logs, and top-tier inspection templates powered with workflow automations.
• Smart Inspections: Elevate your inspection process with dynamic logic to ask follow up questions, require images or notify management.
• Daily Tasks and Checklists: Assign recurring tasks, uphold safety standards, and clarify processes with standardized procedures.
• Work Order Management: Assign work orders with full detail, images, notes, and templates for accountability.
• Preventive Maintenance: Centralize tasks in a digital calendar for precise planning across assets and locations.
• Work Requests and Approvals: Efficiently manage, approve, and track diverse work requests while keeping stakeholders informed.
• Incident Reports: Optimize incident handling with mobile reporting, corrective actions and live progress tracking.
• Temperature Monitoring: Combine the power of Bluetooth probes with continuous equipment monitoring for streamlined temperature checks.
• Team Communication: Elevate team chats with instant messaging, collaborative spaces, and company-wide alignment tools.
• Analytics Reports: Enhance decision-making with detailed work analytics, advanced filters, and flexible data exports.

Pricing:

• Xenia provides a 2 week free trial to all users with unlimited access to all features
• Xenia pricing is team based with a flat monthly rate for up to 20 users
• Full plan details are available on Xenia's Pricing Page

2. Alice

ALICE, part of the Actabl software suite, is a specialized on-property software tailored for housekeeping and service delivery in modern hotels. Specifically designed to cater to the unique requirements of high-end, luxury, and multi-outlet hotels, ALICE stands out as a 5-star project management solution. The platform is dedicated to optimizing real-time communication, enhancing operational efficiency, and realizing cost savings for hotels.

It acts as a force multiplier, ensuring that hotel staff operate at peak efficiency, enabling the delivery of luxury services even with lean teams. One of its standout features is the guest satisfaction element, which guarantees swift and accurate resolution of any issues, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

Key Features:

• Real-time Communication: Facilitate instant communication between teams, ensuring timely and efficient service delivery.
• Operational Efficiency: Streamline hotel operations, from housekeeping to guest service requests, ensuring a smooth guest experience.
• Cost Savings: Implement cost-effective strategies and practices, maximizing profitability without compromising on service quality.
• Guest Services: Handle concierge requests with ease with front desk tools by Alice.
• Guest Messaging: Address and resolve guest issues promptly and accurately, ensuring a stellar guest experience.

Pricing:

• Alice's price is available on request.

The company offers a free trial plan. However, you will have to connect with their support team to book a demo and get additional information on pricing according to your hotel business's requirements.

3. Quore

Quore is a cloud-based hotel management software that provides a comprehensive solution for hotel operations. Founded in 2012, the software has over 30+ tools to offer active collaboration between hotel staff, management, frontline workers, and guests. It is a potential alternative to Hotsos due to their wide range of features including housekeeping management, maintenance management, guest engagement, budget planning and reporting. It also integrates with various third-party systems to enhance the overall efficiency of hotel operations.

Quore has a desktop and mobile app with many modules to help with tracking cleaning, compliance, guest complaints, budgets, and guest SMS.  Furthermore, housekeeping and inspection operations can be delegated to people directly responsible for handling such activities. With Quore, you can track assets, record meter readings, create preventive maintenance schedules and manage work orders.

‍Key Features:

• ‍‍Real-time task tracking through a dedicated task management system
• Dedicated preventive maintenance and inspections module
• Frontline workers, hotel staff, and managers can collaborate through a message-routing system
• Log books and to dos• Guest SMS Messaging
• Staff and Vendor Directory

‍Pricing:

• ‍‍Get a 30-day free trial for evaluation purposes
• Paid plan starts at a $100 flat subscription with other plans available on request

4. Flexkeeping (Hotel Operations Platform)

Moving on, Flexkeeping comes as another highly recommended HotSOS alternative.

The program is specially developed to streamline hotel housekeeping activities, general operational workflow, and staff communication. On latter note, Flexkeeping has empowered over 20,000 staff members to help them deliver an outstanding hospitality experience to respective customers from all over.

That being said, Flexkeeping maintains its bevy of features through dedicated modules or sub-category products. Flexkeeping Room Service, Flexkeeping Maintenance, and Flexkeeping Housekeeping are products maintained on the company's official platform.

In that regard, the pricing plan ranges as per your business's exact nature of operations and general requirements.

Key Features:

• Multi-format file support ranging over images, documents, and videos for better streamlining inspections and hotel operations
• Timely resolution of guest issues handled via the case management module
• Perform preventive maintenance activities through an in-built task manager
• Guest items lost and found tracker
• Virtual log book to combat on-site pencil whipping activities

Pricing:

• Freemium plan available to hotel business owners for a 30-day trial and evaluation purposes
• Aside from an implementation fee of $1,000, or less, paid plans start at $3, to $6 per room, per month

5. Knowcross

Also known as 'KnowCross Housekeeping' and 'KNOW Housekeeping,' the software is an absolute must-have for anyone looking to manage housekeeping operations and maintenance.

Knowcross's features guarantee a higher guest satisfaction rate, a massive reduction in paper trail, and an overall increase in hotel staff's productivity.

Some of the best-known program's features are listed below.

Key Features:

• Perform housekeeping operations through custom inspections checklists, preventive maintenance task manager, and much more
• Drag and drop assignments at room level
• Automatic task notifications directly sent to task assignees
• Set custom rules and priority levels for Knowcross users easily
• Dedicated Android and iOS apps

Pricing:

Knowcross doesn't have a disclosed price plan. You need to contact their customer support for additional information.

6. HotelKit

Hotelkit is a cutting-edge hotel operations management platform that addresses the unique challenges faced by the hospitality industry. Its comprehensive suite of features is designed to streamline communication, enhance collaboration, and optimize processes across all departments within a hotel. The platform's user-friendly interface ensures that staff members can easily navigate and utilize its powerful tools, regardless of their technical expertise.

Hotelkit's versatility makes it suitable for hotels of all sizes, ranging from small boutique establishments to large international chains. Whether it's a quaint bed and breakfast or a sprawling resort, Hotelkit offers scalable solutions that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each property. This flexibility allows hotels to implement a system that aligns with their operational workflows, organizational structure, and unique guest requirements.

Key Features:

• Communication and Collaboration: Hotelkit offers a centralized communication hub where hotel staff can collaborate, share information, and coordinate tasks in real-time. It provides tools such as internal messaging, task management, and document sharing, ensuring efficient and transparent communication among team members.
• Operations Management: The platform enables hotels to digitize and streamline their operational workflows. Hotelkit offers modules for housekeeping management, maintenance requests, guest requests, inventory management, and more. These tools optimize task allocation, improve response times, and enhance overall operational efficiency.
• Knowledge Base and Training: Hotelkit provides a centralized knowledge base where hotels can store important documents, manuals, and procedures. This ensures that staff members have access to up-to-date information and standardized processes. The platform also offers training management features, allowing hotels to create and deliver training materials to ensure consistent service standards.
• Guest Feedback and Reputation Management: Hotelkit helps hotels manage guest feedback effectively. It provides tools to collect and analyze guest reviews and ratings, enabling hotels to gain insights into guest satisfaction levels. The platform also assists in reputation management by monitoring online reviews and facilitating timely responses to guest feedback.
• Performance Analytics: Hotelkit offers analytics and reporting capabilities, providing valuable insights into operational performance. Hotels can track key metrics, generate custom reports, and identify areas for improvement. These analytics empower hotel management to make data-driven decisions and drive continuous improvement in their operations.
• Integrations: Hotelkit integrates with various third-party systems commonly used in the hospitality industry, such as property management systems (PMS), customer relationship management (CRM) tools, and task automation platforms. These integrations ensure seamless data flow between different systems, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing operational inefficiencies.

Pricing:

Hotelkit pricing is not public, contact their sales team for a quote.

7. Clickup

Designed as a comprehensive work management platform, ClickUp is the ultimate tool for hotel managers aiming to streamline their operations and enhance team collaboration. With its promise to replace all other apps, ClickUp brings together tasks, docs, chat, goals, and more, all under one roof. This platform is not just about task management; it's about optimizing every aspect of your hotel's operations, from guest relations to housekeeping coordination.

Feature highlights:

• Project & Tasks: Plan, track, and manage any hotel-related project with a flexible project management system. Whether it's organizing events or managing room bookings, ClickUp has got you covered.
• Real-time Chat: Facilitate instant communication between departments, ensuring timely service delivery and efficient problem resolution.
• Docs & Whiteboards: Create, share, and collaborate on documents in real-time, perfect for staff training materials or guest information sheets.
• Dashboards: Get a visual overview of your hotel's operations, from occupancy rates to guest feedback, all in one place.
• Goals: Set and track objectives for your hotel, be it revenue targets or guest satisfaction scores.
• Integrations: With over 270 integrations, ClickUp can seamlessly connect with your existing hotel management systems.
• 24/7 Support: Benefit from the highest rated client support in software, ensuring you always have assistance when you need it.

Pricing:

Clickup plans begin at $7 per user per month. View Clickup Pricing for more information.

Pick the Best Hotsos Alternative for Your Business

While Hotsos is a well-known hotel operations management software, it's important to consider alternative options that may better align with your hotel's specific needs. Competitors such as Xenia, Quore, Hotelkit, and Alice offer powerful and comprehensive solutions for streamlining hotel operations, enhancing communication, and optimizing processes within the hospitality industry.

Each alternative brings its own unique features, user-friendly interfaces, and scalability, allowing hotels of all sizes to find a solution that fits their operational workflows and organizational requirements. By exploring these alternatives, hotels can unlock opportunities to improve guest satisfaction, increase operational efficiency, and drive overall business success.