The 2026 Buyer's Guide to Accommodation Sofware

Issue 95 Autumn 2026 SUPPLEMENT

THE 2026 BUYER'S GUIDE TO

ACCOMMODATION

SOFTWARE IT'S TIME TO WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER

accomnews.com.au

Working smarter not harder:

Software solutions that streamline and simplify

By Gemma Easton, Editor

The accommodation sector has always been competitive, but it has become even tougher in recent years.

© Adobe Stock, stock.adobe.com

Short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb and Stayz have expanded traveller choice and intensified competition for hotels, motels and tourist parks. Add to that the instant impact of online reviews and rising guest expectations, and operators are under more pressure than ever.

A successful accommodation business relies on a complex ecosystem of variables, all of which need to be expertly managed for success. Rate optimisation, successful marketing strategies, managing and responding to reviews, catering for guest preferences and leveraging upsell opportunities, maintaining optimal staff levels, and ensuring all essential supplies are well stocked are just some of the tasks which need to be managed.

For smaller operators, one person might be responsible for many of these tasks, leaving them as chief in charge of marketing, accounting, social media management, housekeeping and maintenance coordination, as well as staff management and delivering the best guest experience.

It’s likely this will create an extensive to-do list, which even the most dedicated accommodation operator will find challenging to conquer.

Happily, there has never been more help available to accommodation operators to streamline and automate many of these tasks. Soft ware solutions, some of which have

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AccomNews | Autumn 2026

There has never been more help available to accommodation operators to streamline and automate these tasks been purpose built for the accommodation industry, can help operators to save time, improve accuracy, and run their business more efficiently.

In this buyer’s guide to accommodation soft ware, AccomNews explores some of the systems on the market and how they can make running your accommodation business simpler.

Expert-level management We can’t all be experts at everything, and often the cost of employing full-time

experts isn’t feasible for accommodation providers.

Accommodation soft ware can make a real difference.

Systems such as property management systems, revenue management, payments systems, and channel managers can help simplify tasks, reducing the need for constant professional oversight.

The list of tasks accommodation soft ware can assist with is vast— predictive analytics and demand forecasting, AIpowered pricing tools, realtime occupancy data, channel

THE 2026 BUYER'S GUIDE TO ACCOMMODATION SOFTWARE

management and performance optimisation. Coupled with human oversight and staff training, these systems can significantly improve occupancy levels, overall revenue, and guest satisfaction.

These systems can also assist with practical operational tasks, such as monitoring housekeeping stock, tracking room turnover, alerting staff when servicing is needed, scheduling routine maintenance and helping keep reporting on track.

Online booking has long been automated, but newer tools such as chatbots for common enquiries and AI receptionists used to field calls around the clock are expanding how operators manage guest communication.

Many platforms are generally cloud-based and mobile friendly, meaning you can have your soft ware solutions in the palm of your hand, anywhere, at any time.

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© Adobe Stock, stock.adobe.com

is constantly evolving. Ask your current providers if you are using the most up to date version of the system and if you are using it in the most effective way. Also make sure you aren’t paying for features you don’t need.

A personal touch Today’s guests want more than a cookie-cutter accommodation offering; they want a bespoke experience that feels tailored just for them.

Research published in The Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management found that personal touches like celebrating a guest’s birthday or anniversary, or offering local dining options or facilities based on personal interests increased guest satisfaction.

Extra-personal touches like using smart tools to adjust light and temperature settings automatically in line with guest preferences improved guest satisfaction even more.

reservation reminders which address the guest by name and include offers curated to their tastes can create a feeling of connection and belonging before your guest even packs for their holiday.

Beyond the in-room experience, personal data can be used to ensure repeat bookings.

Knowing which guests booked for the school holidays last year, or for an annual local event, means you can target these guests ahead of time, perhaps offering them a reduced rate or room upgrade for booking early.

Evaluating your current tech toolkit Most accommodation operators will already be using some form of soft ware at their property. It’s important, though, to consider if your current tech stack is still fit-for-purpose.

Changing staff levels, expanded accommodation offerings, the addition of extra guest amenities like a restaurant or pool, and a range of other factors might affect whether your current systems are still suitable. Plus, technology moves quickly, and soft ware

Even before your guest arrives, you can start creating a one-of-a-kind experience.

Sending automated

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AccomNews | Autumn 2026

And while soft ware is undoubtedly essential for accommodation operators, it cannot replace humans.

Make sure processes you have automated are regularly reviewed to make sure information you have fed into your systems remains relevant to achieve the best outcomes.

Critically, a people-led approach should remain at the heart of the guest experience. While your guests might be able to manage booking and check-in without speaking to a person, they should still feel welcome, and that staff are friendly and approachable. Often, it is the moments of human connection that guests remember, and keep them returning to your property year after year.

© Adobe Stock, stock.adobe.com

The research found that smart technologies are a gamechanger for personalisation. Guest data, when analysed by soft ware, can be used to create a stay that feels carefully curated to suit an individual guest’s needs.

Personalisation can be based on the guest’s previous behaviour, for example recommending a spa treatment or offering a late check-out. Analysing data from similar guests can create new opportunities for personalisation.

Importantly, to be effective, all your systems must be integrated. Some platforms offer all-in-one solutions, combining property management, revenue management, compliance and other essential operations.

Many platforms are scalable, meaning they can grow with your business.

THE 2026 BUYER'S GUIDE TO ACCOMMODATION SOFTWARE

Switching technology providers without disrupting your business

By Tamie Matthews, CEO & Founder, RevenYou

technology environment is designed to support growth rather than limit it.

Changing technology providers isn’t something most accommodation businesses do often. Yet when it does happen, it’s frequently assumed that someone in-house can manage the process alongside their dayto-day responsibilities - without the time, specialist experience or structured support required.

Too often, accommodation providers replace systems without addressing outdated processes or inherited workarounds. RevenYou takes a different approach designing a technology stack that is fit for purpose now and adaptable for what comes next.

For many operators, this is where technology transitions become stressful, disruptive and unnecessarily risky.

That’s where RevenYou comes in.

RevenYou specialises in managing technology transitions for accommodation providers. Acting as an independent project manager, the team takes ownership of the entire process - from early planning through to Go Live and beyond – enabling operators to remain focused on running their business.

The result is a transition that is seamless, low stress and strategically aligned with the property’s long-term commercial goals.

A considered approach, not a rushed replacement Every successful technology change starts with understanding the property itself.

RevenYou begins by learning how the business operates today, how it wants to operate in the future, and the type of guest experience it aims to deliver. This ensures the

Avoiding contract surprises and costly mistakes Technology transitions are often complicated by existing supplier contracts. Auto-renewals, notice periods and hidden clauses can derail timelines and restrict choice if they aren’t identified early.

RevenYou reviews all existing contracts, mapping end dates, exit conditions and dependencies.

This proactive planning helps operators avoid surprises and ensures they remain in control of their transition strategy.

Independent supplier selection - without the sales pressure Choosing the right technology partner is one of the most critical steps in the process.

RevenYou independently evaluates suppliers based on product performance, scalability, customer support quality and service hours aligned to local time zones.

Operators are only introduced to vetted suppliers that meet their specific requirements, reducing time wasted on unsuitable demos and sales conversations.

In time-sensitive situations, RevenYou has supported properties in selecting and deploying new systems in as little as seven days by matching them with suppliers proven to perform under pressure.

From selection to Go Live, every detail is managed Once a new technology partner is selected, RevenYou coordinates the entire transition.

The team works closely with incoming and outgoing suppliers, as well as any systems being retained, to ensure nothing is missed. This includes redesigning workflows to remove inefficiencies, testing all integrations and confirming data accuracy before launch.

In one project, a property transitioning to an independent brand discovered years of inherited technology “baggage”.

RevenYou rebuilt the entire setup in seven days, removing legacy clutter and significantly improving system performance.

Confident teams, calm Go Live Technology changes only succeed when teams feel confident using the new systems.

RevenYou provides role-specific training, so staff understand how the technology supports their responsibilities from day one. By the time Go Live arrives, the system feels intuitive rather than overwhelming.

The goal is a transition guests don’t notice and teams barely feel. In

one example, a motel upgrading its technology to better attract local business completed Go Live quietly behind the scenes, with no disruption to operations or revenue.

Support doesn’t stop at Go Live While technology changes can feel daunting, for RevenYou it’s simply another well-managed project - and support doesn’t end when the system goes live.

After launch, RevenYou remains actively involved to answer questions, monitor performance, support staff and fine-tune the setup as the property settles into its new environment. The team stays engaged until everything feels stable, efficient and familiar.

As one client described it, transitioning technology with RevenYou involved no stress, no drama, no interruptions exactly how it should be.

Making technology change simple Technology changes are significant, but they don’t need to be painful.

With proven project management, deep industry experience and an independent perspective, RevenYou helps accommodation providers change systems with confidence making the process as forgettable as possible, for all the right reasons.

Ready to change providers without the chaos? RevenYou is here to help.

MAKE YOUR NEXT TECH CHANGE SIMPLE RevenYou manages accommodation technology transitions: contracts, supplier selection, testing, training and Go Live - with support continuing after launch.

M: +61 497 864 694

E: TAMIE@REVENYOU.COM.AU

THE 2026 BUYER'S GUIDE TO ACCOMMODATION SOFTWARE

W: REVENYOU.COM.AU

AccomNews | Autumn 2026

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Behind the stay:

Belmo Group values Resly collaboration In management rights, the best systems rarely get noticed. They support the work, protect the numbers and let teams get on with the job.

For Belmo Group, that thinking led to a partnership with Resly in 2022.

Today, Resly underpins Belmo’s portfolio, including Number One Hastings Street and has been rolled out across all Belmomanaged short-stay properties.

A practical decision For Belmo Group’s Managing Director Ben Orton, the move to Resly was driven by operational clarity.

As the portfolio grew, a system that could keep pace became essential. Trust accounting, transparency and ease of

use were non-negotiable, particularly in guest-facing environments where accuracy and efficiency go hand in hand.

Supporting teams on the ground Belmo Group CEO David Assef says Resly has proven its value where it matters most. “We moved to Resly across our shortterm portfolio for a streamlined solution that supports trust accounting, while also providing a seamless user and guest experience,” Assef says.

At properties like Number One Hastings Street, where expectations are high and operations are complex, having a system that works seamlessly makes a real difference.

Managing change with ease Despite the scale of the refurbishment at Number

One Hastings Street, Resly required minimal adjustment.

According to Co-Founder Sam Steel, the system handled updates quietly in the background. “Resly made it easy to update refreshed content like photography across all distribution channels through a single connection,” he says. “That ensured the property’s new look was reflected consistently everywhere.”

Built for growth

For Belmo, those foundations support consistency across the portfolio, while still allowing individual properties to operate in a way that suits their market.

Looking ahead With Resly now embedded across Belmo’s portfolio, both sides see the partnership continuing to evolve. “Resly is constantly evolving, and partnerships like this help shape the product as we work towards setting the benchmark for hospitality technology,” Steel says.

As Belmo continues to scale, transparency and compliance become increasingly important.

Steel says this is where Resly’s foundations come into their own.

For Belmo Group, the relationship reflects a broader philosophy of surrounding premium assets with industry-specific partners who understand the detail.

“Our role is to enable growth, not become a blocker,” he says.

“Resly’s trust accounting and operational framework are built for exactly this type of environment.”

Meanwhile, Resly sits quietly in the background, doing exactly what good systems should do.

Supporting teams and letting great operators get on with the job.

Property management made easy.

A big thank you to No. 1 Hastings for choosing us as your preferred supplier, we're proud to be part of your community!

No. 1 Hastings

THE 2026 BUYER'S GUIDE TO ACCOMMODATION SOFTWARE

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