Whatever you end up buying, these are the questions that decide whether it works at a Philippine property — and the ones a feature list will not answer.
Can you see the price?
If not, budget a sales call before you can even shortlist. Ask what it costs at your room count, in pesos, and what it costs when you add five rooms.
What happens when two people take a booking at once?
Ask them to demonstrate it, not describe it. A system that checks availability at entry behaves differently from one that syncs afterwards, and the difference is a walked guest.
Will your staff use it?
In what language, on what device, and how many taps to mark a room clean? A system only the owner uses produces nothing for the owner to read.
Can it tell you last month’s profit?
Not revenue — profit, after salaries. If the answer involves an export and a spreadsheet, it is a reservation tool rather than a management system.
Who can see your numbers?
Ask whether a housekeeper account can see rates, payroll or guest contact details. At this size, that answer decides whether staff get logins at all.
What happens if you leave?
Ask how you get your bookings, guests and financials out, and in what format. Ask before you sign rather than when you are already unhappy.