Hotel Technology Trends: Best-in-Class vs. All-in-One Systems
Hoteliers Plan to Move From All-in-One to Best-in-Class Systems at 2x the Rate
Hotel technology trends for 2026 point one way. In a survey of 302 hotel operators by the NYU Tisch Center, Stayntouch, and IDeaS, 51% plan to switch technology platform types within 12 to 24 months. Responses were collected in August and September 2025.
Produced with NYU SPS Tisch Center, Stayntouch, and IDeaS, this report takes a close look at the technology choices hoteliers face when they evaluate, buy, and replace core systems.
How do hotels decide between Best-in-Class integrated systems and All-in-One systems?
We explore satisfaction, platform switching, operational impact, and the key factors shaping technology strategy. Insights every hotel operator can use.
In this report, you'll learn:
- How operational challenges affect technology satisfaction and the guest experience.
- What attributes hoteliers value most in All-in-One vs. Best-in-Class systems.
- Insights into why hoteliers switch platforms and what drives their decisions.
- How hotel size and technology maturity influence adoption strategies.
- The role of integrations, ease of use, and vendor partnerships in long-term success.
Hotel Technology Trends at a Glance
Explore the Stayntouch Integration Hub and Connect APIs.
Who Should Read the Report
- General managers and operations leaders: findings on ease of use, training, and onboarding, which ranked as the top buying factor and a top-three pain point.
- IT and technology leaders: findings on integration cost, API accessibility, and integration flexibility.
- Owners and asset managers: findings on cost and measurable ROI, the second-ranked buying factor.
Research and report written and conducted by: Â
- Graduate students from the NYU SPS Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality
- Justin Derise, Sr. Content Specialist, Stayntouch
- Elliott Mest, Media/Content Specialist, MFC PR
Download the Report
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Biggest Hotel Technology Trends in 2026?
The biggest hotel technology trends in the 2026 Hotel Tech Outlook are a shift from All-in-One to Best-in-Class platforms, integration as the top operational pain point, and ease of use as the top buying factor. Of 302 hotel operators surveyed, 51% plan to switch platform types within 12 to 24 months. Ease of use ranked above both cost and integration capability when hoteliers weigh a purchase.
What Is the Difference Between Best-in-Class and All-in-One Hotel Technology?
Best-in-Class technology means specialized systems from multiple vendors, integrated around a core PMS. All-in-One technology means one provider delivers a suite of capabilities, which brings simplicity, consolidated vendor management, unified data, and faster deployment. In the survey, 58% of hoteliers run a Best-in-Class stack and 42% run an All-in-One platform.
Why Are Hotels Switching From All-in-One to Best-in-Class Systems?
Training and support and ease of deployment are the biggest switch drivers for All-in-One users. All-in-One users also listed limited reporting and poor mobile accessibility as their top operational pain points. Overall, 30% of All-in-One users plan to move to Best-in-Class, compared with 14% moving the other way.
How Does Hotel Size Affect Technology Strategy?
Larger hotels lean Best-in-Class and smaller hotels lean All-in-One. Among single-property hotels, 68% of those with 101 to 250+ rooms use Best-in-Class systems, while 54% of hotels with fewer than 100 rooms use All-in-One platforms. Respondents tied the larger-hotel choice to scalability, functionality, and data precision, and the smaller-hotel choice to simplicity and affordability.
How Do You Build a Hotel Tech Stack That Integrates Cleanly?
Check how accessible a vendor’s API is and how many integrations it already supports before you buy. In the survey, 68% of hoteliers reported delays or cost overruns during system integrations, and only 38% rated their PMS API as very or extremely accessible. Stayntouch is API-first, with more than 1,400 third-party integrations in its Integration Hub and documentation in its Connect APIs resources.
How Long Does It Take a Hotel to Buy a Major Technology System?
Most hotels take 4 to 12 months. In the survey, 59% reported a typical procurement cycle of 4 to 12 months, 29% finish in under 3 months, and 12% take more than a year. Smaller portfolios move faster, with 38% of portfolios of 1 to 10 properties finalizing purchases within 3 months.
Who Conducted the 2026 Hotel Tech Outlook Report?
The NYU School of Professional Studies Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, Stayntouch, and IDeaS produced the report. NYU Tisch Center graduate students led the research as a capstone project, surveying 302 hotel operators online in August and September 2025. Respondents included executives, owners, general managers, IT leaders, and revenue, finance, operations, and procurement professionals. Download the full report through the form on this page.
