2026 Hotel Technology Outlook Report Highlights Shift Towards Specialized Systems
The NYU School of Professional Studies Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, in partnership with Stayntouch and IDeaS Revenue Solutions, has released a comprehensive report titled “2026 Hotel Technology Outlook: Best-in-Class vs. All-in-One Systems.” This study, conducted by graduate students, provides insights into the evolving preferences and strategies of hotel operators regarding technology investments.
Study Overview
The report is based on feedback from over 300 hotel professionals, representing a diverse range of roles and property types. It examines the current trends in hotel technology, focusing on the comparison between Best-in-Class systems—specialized solutions integrated around a core Property Management System (PMS)—and All-in-One systems, which offer a suite of services through a single provider.
Key Findings
The findings reveal a significant trend: 30% of users of All-in-One systems plan to switch to Best-in-Class solutions, while only 14% of Best-in-Class users consider moving to All-in-One systems. This indicates a growing preference for flexibility, functionality, and control over simplicity.
Usability and support emerged as critical factors in technology adoption. The report highlights a notable dissatisfaction among All-in-One system users, with only 34% expressing satisfaction with the training and support received, indicating a crucial area for improvement.
In terms of satisfaction and retention, Best-in-Class systems lead, with higher satisfaction rates reported across various tools, including property management and revenue management systems. Conversely, All-in-One systems are associated with more guest-facing issues, such as booking errors and check-in delays.
Market Trends and Future Outlook
The study also touches on the strategic decisions influenced by technology maturity. Larger independent hotels (101–250+ rooms) predominantly adopt Best-in-Class systems for their scalability and advanced functionality. Smaller hotels (100 rooms or fewer), however, tend to favor All-in-One platforms for their simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Integration challenges remain a significant pain point, with 38% of respondents citing it as a top concern. This presents an opportunity for vendors to enhance their offerings by improving integration capabilities and developing accessible APIs.
Conclusion
The 2026 Hotel Technology Outlook report underscores a clear shift in the hotel industry towards specialized, Best-in-Class systems. As technology continues to play a crucial role in hotel operations, the insights provided by this study will likely influence future technology strategies and investments in the hospitality sector.
Download the 2026 Hotel Technology Outlook: Best-in-Class vs. All-in-One Systems study.
