Tools That Work Together

If you're a boutique hotel, resort, vacation rental manager, or co-host, your tech stack is everything. It’s the collection of tools and systems that help you run your property smoothly, drive direct bookings, and reduce your reliance on OTAs like Airbnb, Vrbo, or Booking.com.

When these tools work together, your life gets easier and your revenue goes up. When they don’t? You spend more time fixing tech problems than serving guests.

So if you’re managing a property in Minnesota, Colorado, Arizona, or anywhere else with soul and scenery, then you need to know what tools are worth your time.

Here’s your no-fluff guide to building a tech stack that works for you, not the other way around.

Images from a Brosy Studio Content Shoot at Glistening Shores

Why Your Hotel Tech Stack Matters

The right tech stack should help you:

Manage reservations and availability across platforms
Set smarter, more competitive nightly rates
Capture and nurture guest relationships
Get visibility on Google and travel platforms
Encourage direct bookings that actually save you money
Deliver better guest experiences before, during, and after a stay

Let’s break down the essentials.

1. PMS + CRS: Your Operational Backbone

Examples: Hostfully, Owner Rez, Hostaway, Mews

Your Property Management System (PMS) is your digital front desk, it keeps track of bookings, guest info, and operations. The Central Reservation System (CRS) is your direct booking engine, often integrated right into your website.

Together, they keep your business running. No double bookings, no spreadsheets, just organized workflows and easier guest communication.

When comparing PMS platforms, don’t just look at features, ask the questions that actually impact your day-to-day.

Does it integrate with tools you already use (Stripe, QuickBooks, Breezeway, smart locks, Airbnb, Google Travel)?
Can you automate messaging, set payment schedules, collect deposits, or offer a guest portal with review requests?
Will your direct booking site be branded and include upsells?
How clean is their reporting and owner statements?
And perhaps most importantly, what is included in their pricing and how good is their support when something breaks?

A good PMS should save you time, not create more headaches.

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2. Dynamic Pricing Tools

Best Pick: PriceLabs

Dynamic pricing isn’t a luxury anymore—it’s survival. PriceLabs connects to your PMS or Airbnb account and uses real-time market data (seasonality, local events, demand trends) to optimize your nightly rates while you sleep.

No contracts. No nonsense. Plans start at $29/property and scale as you grow. It's easily one of the most flexible pricing solutions for short-term rental and hotel operators today.

3. Email Capture toOLS

Best Pick: StayFi

StayFi is a branded Wi-Fi login system that lets you collect emails from every eligible guest in the group (not just the one who booked). That means more emails, more touchpoints, and more future bookings.

It plugs into your PMS, comes with templates, automations, and even lets you run post-stay email campaigns. Wi-Fi that earns you money? That’s a yes.

4. Email Marketing Tools

Best Pick: Mailchimp (or MailerLite, FloDesk, Klaviyo)

Now that you’ve got guest emails, you need a tool to turn them into loyal return guests.

Mailchimp is our go-to:

Easy to use
Syncs with most PMS platforms
Offers automation for welcome emails, abandoned bookings, rebooking incentives, and more

Whether you’re sending seasonal newsletters or flash sales for midweek stays, email is still one of the best ways to drive direct revenue.

5. Social Media + Messenger Tools

Best Picks: Manychat, Meta Business Suite, Later

Want to make sure your guests actually see your offers and keep your property top of mind?

Social media marketing isn’t optional anymore, it’s a digital front door. Tools like Meta Business Suite and Later help you plan, schedule, and manage your Instagram and Facebook posts.

Manychat lets you create automated DMs in Instagram, Facebook, and even SMS, perfect for gathering leads, sending booking reminders, and offering special deals.

Bonus: You can connect Manychat to your email marketing tool or CRM to build an even deeper funnel.

Why These Tools Matter for Independent Hotels in the U.S.

Whether you're managing a cozy cabin resort in Northern California, a desert retreat in New Mexico, or a modern lodge in Ohio, these tools level the playing field. With the right stack, you can offer a five-star experience without the five-star headache.

Ready to Upgrade Your Tech Stack?

At Brosy Studio, we help boutique hotels, vacation rentals, and independent hospitality brands get the most out of their tech. Whether you need help choosing tools, setting up email automations, or launching ads that convert, we’re here to make it simple, strategic, and actually fun.

SCHEDULE A DISCOVERY CALL

Bonus Tip:

Turn this blog into a playbook. Save it. Bookmark it. Then start with just one upgrade at a time: pricing, email capture, loyalty. You don’t need to build Rome in a day. You just need to stop relying on Airbnb to be your marketing department. 😌

The Modern Hotel Tech Stack