Hospitality Payment Systems

Technology is redefining how the hospitality industry handles payments—faster, smarter, and more securely than ever. 

But it’s not just about the tech itself—it’s about making things easier and smoother for both guests and staff. 

Today’s payment systems for hospitality do a lot more than just process payments. 

They connect with booking systems, handle online payments from different platforms, and make sure every secure checkout is quick and stress-free. 

In this guide, we’ll explore how these systems are quietly reshaping the guest experience.
Hospitality Payment Systems

What Are the Best Payment Gateways for Hotels?

1. GoCardless

Payment systems for hospitality are changing, and GoCardless is at the forefront of this shift. 

The company is building the world’s leading bank payment network to make it easier for businesses in hospitality to collect and manage payments, whether local or international. 

Forget about chasing payments, dealing with outdated systems, or paying high fees.

From small bed-and-breakfasts to big hotel chains, over 100,000 businesses worldwide trust GoCardless. 

Big names like TripAdvisor, DocuSign, The Guardian, and even HM Government rely on GoCardless to simplify online payments and improve their payment workflows.

GoCardless believes that the best payment systems for hospitality are built on bank-based payments. 

This approach reduces friction, keeps costs low, and ensures reliable cash flow. 

Plus, the platform helps businesses access real-time bank data, so they can make faster, smarter decisions.

Thanks to connections with over 2,300 banks across the UK and Europe, GoCardless enables quick and secure checkout experiences. 

And it integrates easily with more than 350 tools businesses already use, like Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, Salesforce, and Zuora.

But it’s not just about the technology. GoCardless is all about putting people first. 

That’s why every customer has access to real human support, not just a bot. 

As the Official Payments Partner of Swim England, GoCardless is dedicated to making payment systems for hospitality more accessible and inclusive for businesses of all sizes.

The company also takes pride in its values, promoting diversity, inclusion, and sustainability through initiatives like GoCarbonless. 

Because great service means taking care of both people and the planet.

In 2022, GoCardless made a game-changing move by acquiring Nordigen, a leader in open banking. 

This strengthened its ability to provide even smarter online payments and data tools, helping hospitality businesses stay ahead of the curve.

Pricing Plans

  • Standard Plan: 1% + £0.20 (domestic, capped at £4) / 2% + £0.20 (international); no monthly fee; includes recurring payments, 350+ integrations, and basic branding.

  • Advanced Plan: 1.25% + £0.20 (domestic, capped at £5) / 2.25% + £0.20 (international); no monthly fee; adds payment retries (Success+), instant bank verification, and enhanced branding.

  • Pro Plan: 1.4% + £0.20 (domestic, capped at £5.60) / 2.4% + £0.20 (international); no monthly fee; includes advanced fraud protection (Protect+), custom branding, and all Advanced features.

  • Custom Plan: Tailored pricing, including dedicated support, flexible billing, and access to all Pro features—ideal for high-volume businesses.

2. Mews Payments

Picture this: A guest walks into a hotel lobby, skips the line, taps their phone, and—boom—they’re checked in, paid up, and sipping espresso in under two minutes.

This isn’t a futuristic fantasy. 

It’s what happens when payment systems for hospitality catch up with the rest of the tech world. 

And Mews Payments is leading that charge.

Tucked inside the Mews Hospitality Cloud, Mews Payments transforms clunky transactions into sleek, invisible experiences.

Forget the late-night number crunching, the tangled web of third-party processors, or that awkward “your card was declined” moment at the front desk.

Over 3,000 hospitality businesses already rely on Mews to power online payments, streamline operations, and let staff do what they do best: Deliver unforgettable guest experiences.

Security? 

Locked in. 

PCI DSS compliance, 3D Secure, and tokenization mean guests’ data is wrapped in digital armor.

Behind the scenes, payments are automatically reconciled in real-time, syncing with your PMS and freeing up hours of manual work.

Multicurrency support? 

Absolutely. 

Global guests can pay their way, while you get paid faster and with fewer headaches.

And when things go sideways, Mews offers something no AI chatbot can: Real human support, just a call away.
Hospitality Payment Systems

Pricing Plans

  • Essentials Plan: Comes standard with your PMS—unlimited online payments, PCI compliance, tokenization, and simple, secure checkout.

  • Advanced Plan: Adds automatic retries, multicurrency support, and smart analytics.

  • Enterprise Plan: Think custom checkout flows, SLA-backed uptime, and premium support, 24/7.

  • Custom Plan: Tailored for high-volume operators—get API access, anti-fraud upgrades, and dedicated onboarding.

3. Adyen 

Say if your entire hotel’s payment system ran like a luxury concierge—swift, seamless, and one step ahead of every need. 

That’s the Adyen experience.

In the world of payment systems for hospitality, Adyen isn’t just another processor—it’s an end-to-end financial powerhouse. 

From the moment a guest books a room to the second they check out, Adyen handles it all: online payments, in-person transactions, fraud protection, data-driven insights, and even issuing custom payment cards.

Global players like Uber, Spotify, and Microsoft trust Adyen because it’s engineered for ambition, whether you’re a boutique hotel eyeing expansion or a hospitality giant looking to optimize operations across continents.

With unified commerce at its core, Adyen blends in-store and online payments into one smart ecosystem. 

That means faster checkouts, fewer payment failures, and guests who leave impressed (and paid up).

Need to scale? 

Adyen’s got you. 

Want to add more online payment methods? 

Easy. 

Looking to break into a new market? 

Adyen handles local acquiring and regulatory hurdles, so you don’t have to.

And because secure checkout is non-negotiable, their system is armed with PCI DSS compliance, advanced fraud detection, and machine learning-backed approvals that boost revenue without compromising guest trust.

Pricing Plans

  • Processing Fee: $0.13 per transaction

  • Payment Method Fee: Varies based on the method and region

    • Most cards: 3%–5% + method-specific fee

    • Bank transfers: As low as 1.5%

    • Interchange++ pricing: Available for eligible businesses

  • Custom contracts available: For high-volume or enterprise accounts

  • Add-ons (priced separately): Fraud protection, issuing, POS hardware, and more

4. Shift4

This time around, Shift4 is shaking up payment systems for hospitality with its all-in-one commerce platform. 

No more bouncing between gateways—Shift4 takes care of every payment, whether it’s an online booking or a tap at the front desk, all in one spot.

Picture a single dashboard powering mobile kiosks, POS terminals, contactless taps, and even gift‐card programs. 

Guests breeze through secure checkout, and staff watch every transaction appear in real time.

Shift4 grows with you, from cozy inns to global chains, offering:

  • Mobile & contactless tech for quick lobby kiosks and handheld ordering

  • POS software & hardware for front‐desk and food & beverage outlets

  • Online payments with local acquiring to cut declines and boost conversion

  • Analytics & reporting that turn raw data into revenue-driving insights

Security isn’t an afterthought—it’s baked in. 

PCI-certified devices, end-to-end tokenization, and 24/7 fraud monitoring keep guest data locked down. 

And when there’s a question, you get a real person on the line, not a bot.

Pricing Plans

  • All-Inclusive Plan (per station): $2,999/month covers commercial-grade hardware (POS, EMV reader, cash drawer, printer), cloud software, installation, training, lifetime warranty, 24/7 support, and integrated payment processing (transaction fees apply).

  • Pay-per-Use Plan: No upfront or monthly fees—just standard transaction rates on online payments and in-person charges; perfect for smaller or seasonal properties.

  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for multi-location groups, with SLA-backed uptime, dedicated account management, API access, and global acquiring in 100+ countries.

  • Add-On Services: Choose extras like mobile pay-at-table, gift-card programs, kitchen display systems, or crypto acceptance—billed à la carte.

5. PaySimple

Now, you don’t have to compromise any part of the guest experience for the sake of payments. 

PaySimple turns every transaction into a breeze, whether guests book online or tap at the front desk.

PaySimple brings online payments and front-desk charges together in one clear, intuitive dashboard. 

Guest profiles, invoices, and payment links all live side by side, so staff spend less time hunting for info and more time delighting visitors.

PaySimple scales from cozy B&Bs to sprawling resorts, offering:

  • Core tools out of the box: customer management, virtual terminal, invoicing, reporting, and a mobile app—everything you need to start taking payments today.

  • Crystal-clear rates: 2.4% + 5¢ for in-person; 3.2% + 5¢ for online or keyed transactions—no surprises, ever.

  • Mix-and-match add-ons: inventory management, discount codes, scheduling, QuickBooks/Xero sync, and more—bundle modules to save up to 50%.

  • Activity-based billing: $0.15 per payment action, $0.02 per email, $0.02 per SMS, $0.03 per MMS—so you only pay for what you use.

  • Rock-solid secure checkout: PCI-compliant token vaults and end-to-end encryption keep every card detail locked down.

Pricing Plans

  • Express Plan ($9.95/month): Includes customer management, virtual terminal, invoicing, reporting, mobile app, online payments, and secure checkout.

  • Pay-as-You-Go ($0/month): No monthly fee—2.4% + 5¢ per in-person transaction; 3.2% + 5¢ per online/keyed transaction. Perfect for seasonal or small properties.

  • Add-On Suite (from $25–$30/month each): Pick modules like Inventory Management, Discount Codes, Scheduling, and Accounting Integrations—bundle for bigger savings.

  • Enterprise+ (custom pricing): Volume discounts, dedicated support, bespoke integrations, advanced security features, and priority onboarding for high-volume operations.

6. Tenerum

Finally, we've got a gateway that doesn’t just process payments—it understands hospitality. 

Tenerum stands out by doing what others can’t: Blending 30+ years of deep industry expertise with an obsessively secure, cloud-native platform that was built for hotels, restaurants, and retail.

Unlike generic processors that bolt on security as an afterthought, Tenerum’s gateway is secure by design. 

It’s fully PCI-DSS compliant, baked with end-to-end tokenization, and offers zero-fee point-to-point encryption, not as expensive add-ons, but as core features. 

That means your guests’ data is protected at every tap, swipe, and click, without you having to lift a finger.

What truly sets Tenerum apart? 

Flexibility. 

It plugs into virtually any POS or PMS, and it doesn’t care who your processor or bank is.

That means fewer technical headaches, faster onboarding, and a system that grows with you, not against you. 

Pricing Plans

  • Subscription Plan: Flat monthly fee for unlimited transactions and 24/7 support.

  • Transaction Plan: Pay a simple per-transaction fee—ideal for properties with variable volume.

  • Hybrid Plan: Combines a low monthly subscription plus reduced transaction fees.
    Custom Enterprise: Tailored pricing, revenue-share models, and white-label options for large chains.

FAQs

What Are the Top 5 Best Payment Gateways?

The top five in 2025 are GoCardless, Mews Payments, Adyen, Shift4, and PaySimple—each built for fast, secure, and guest-friendly transactions.

What Is the Payment Method for Hotels?

Hotels typically accept credit/debit cards, mobile payments, and online bookings via secure gateways. These methods ensure quick processing, easy refunds, and secure guest data handling.

What Is the Best Way to Pay for Hotels?

Paying via a secure online gateway or mobile app is the best for convenience and security. It allows pre-authorizations, easy check-ins, and instant confirmations.

What Is the Most Preferred Method of Payment in Hotels?

Credit cards remain the most preferred method due to flexibility, fraud protection, and rewards. They also simplify room charges and allow for faster, contactless checkouts.
Hospitality Payment Systems

Final Thoughts

As promised, we’ve covered the top payment gateways for hotels, showing how modern payment systems for hospitality integrate with booking engines, power online payments, and guarantee secure checkout. 

Here’s a professional tip: run quarterly reconciliation drills and simulate guest payments across every channel to spot gaps before they affect your bottom line. 

Also, choose gateways with native PMS integrations to streamline your front-desk workflows. 

Ready to elevate your payment game? 

Reach out today for a personalized walkthrough and find the perfect solution tailored to your property’s unique needs.