Software Options for Operating a Mid-Sized Hotel?

curly_dan asks: "Can readers recommend any software packages suitable for a mid-sized hotel (100 rooms + restaurant + bar + function rooms) to use for checking guests in/out, billing, housekeeping, reservations, financial accounting and all other necessary functions for a busy hotel? Their existing system (which I don't want to name) is clunky, fails often, and the telephone support team seem unable to use or configure their own product and are frequently rude to the hotel staff. I'm interested in hearing the experiences on the software packages those of you in this business have encountered."

Check-Inn

[foQ]

When I worked at a hotel (65 rooms, no restaurant), we used a product called Check-Inn. It had all of the features you mentioned, and was fairly decent. It wasn't awesome, but it wasn't too expensive, either. IIRC, they could do internet reservations in the latest release (which we weren't running).

Perhaps try using StarCom

[chesapeake]

While it is aimed at residential colleges, it offers functionality for billing, events/functions, room allocations and a bit more. Having been involved in a company which uses it, it's ok, except that users need local administrative privileges.

Check it out here: www.starnetsystems.com.au [starnetsystems.com.au]

Be warned, it's fairly expensive, but probably not prohibitively so.

For an unpopular suggestion

[kognate]

Filemaker is the solution you are looking for. Much of what you have requested has pre-built packages and companies like Soliant Consulting [soliantconsulting.com] or Excelisys [excelisys.com] or you could even do it yourself [filemaker.com]

Roommaster

[way2trivial]

free download to play with, never used anything better

Hands down THE BEST software if you like to run a hotel.. bar.. integrates nicely..lots of add ons, evey serialed upgrade has just rocked with wish fullfillment.. the forum is good for 'how do i's although the owner/author/president can get snippy when he feels a post just isn't appropriate....

www.innquest.com

I've worked days inn, marriott, best western, one holiday inn briefly, and three independents, innquest rocks..

you can create custom confirmation letters that adjust to the details of the bookings, with variables you set and using boolean logic.

try it.. I can't tell you enough how much I think it rocks. yes- I'll gladly be known as a innquest fanboy...

MICROS

[DrWily]

Stay far far away from a company named MICROS. Sure you may see them everywhere but their marketing and "support" are shady and underhanded. They will tell you that you need to upgrade every two years and if you say no then they will try to get anyone at your property down to the night auditor to sign a paper allowing them to do the install. They might even just come in and say they have to install then get the signature on the way out and you just signed away $10k to them.

Re:Roommaster

[mbadolato]

I've stayed at hotels that let you book online and they use Roommaster (or an interface to it). It's always been smooth, and there's never been a hitch.

Epicor Scala

[Ed Almos]

I can't speak for most of the Epicor software suite but I strongly recommend that you avoid their Scala product. It sucks, in fact let's say it sucks a lot.

Ed Almos