16 best hospitality LMS options for 2024: A detailed roundup

16 best hospitality LMS options for 2024: A detailed roundup

The gap between mediocre and exceptional service can significantly impact guest satisfaction and business success in the hospitality sector.

The absence of a dedicated learning management system for hospitality training makes executing and scaling training programs challenging and leads to inconsistencies in service quality.

This guide zeroes in on a handpicked selection of hospitality LMS software that can help you seamlessly run and manage hotel staff training programs. Our goal is to arm you with the knowledge to select a hotel LMS that meets your specific training demands.

Let's navigate through the options, identifying the best LMS that will transform your hotel staff training and prepare your team to meet and exceed guest expectations.

Hospitality LMS basics: The what and why

What is an LMS?

A learning management system (LMS) is a software application used to host and distribute learning materials to participants. It enables the delivery of training programs and courses online, providing tools for administrators to create and deliver content, monitor participation, and assess learner performance.

What is a hospitality LMS?

A hospitality LMS tailors the broad functionalities of a standard LMS to meet the unique needs of the hospitality industry. It streamlines hotel staff training across various departments, ensuring that everyone from the front desk to housekeeping and management has the skills and knowledge to provide exceptional guest services.

Why does having a learning management system for hospitality matter? 

Implementing an LMS to train hotel staff offers several advantages that directly impact the efficacy and scalability of training initiatives. These include:

• Centralised training material: Consolidates all training content within a single platform, making it easier to manage, update, and deploy consistent training across multiple locations or franchises.
• On-demand accessibility: Offers the flexibility for staff to access training materials at their convenience, catering to the non-standard working hours prevalent in the hospitality industry and allowing learning at an individualised pace.
• Tracking and analytics: Provides detailed insights into learner progress and course effectiveness, enabling hotels to measure their training programs' impact and identify improvement areas.
• Automated certification and compliance training: Automates the process of certification for completed training modules and ensures compliance with industry standards and regulations, essential for maintaining service quality and legal compliance.
• Cost-effectiveness: Reduces training costs by minimising the need for in-person training sessions, travel expenses, and printed materials while maximising the efficiency of training delivery and administration.

Standard features in a good hospitality learning management system

Adopting an LMS in the hospitality industry brings forth a suite of standard features designed to enhance the learning experience and streamline training management. Here’s what you can expect from a decent hospitality LMS system and the value each feature offers:

• Mobile learning: Supports learning on mobile devices, enabling staff to access training materials anytime, anywhere, which is particularly beneficial for deskless employees.
• Tracking and reporting: This feature offers comprehensive tracking and reporting features to monitor progress, identify gaps, and measure the impact of training initiatives.
• Integration capabilities: This feature allows the LMS to integrate with existing HR and operational management systems seamlessly. The purpose of such integration is to streamline workflows and data management across platforms, enhancing the efficiency of training administration and ensuring a unified approach to employee development.
• Scalable content management: Offers the ability to easily add, update, and organise training materials as your business grows and your training needs evolve.

Now that we've covered what an LMS for the hospitality industry is, its purpose, and the standard features it should offer, you're well-equipped with the foundational knowledge needed to make an informed decision. Let's dive into the detailed list of the best hotel LMS software options available, one of which could be the perfect solution to elevate your hotel staff training and guest service to new heights.

Best hospitality LMS software tools to consider in 2024: A detailed roundup

From AI-powered course creation to powerful analytical features, these learning management systems for the hospitality industry are meticulously researched and curated to cater to a wide range of training needs. We delve into the key capabilities, pricing information, and platform ratings for each, ensuring you have the insights needed to make an informed decision for your organisation.

1. Lingio

Discover Lingio, the LMS solution to fast-track frontline training tailored to the dynamic needs of frontline workers like those within the hospitality sector. By focusing on gamified, interactive mobile courses, Lingio not only aligns with the unique schedules of hospitality employees but also aims to elevate customer service standards across the industry.

Key capabilities of Lingio for hospitality training include:

• Rapid course development: Lingio’s AI course creation tool converts existing training materials into interactive, mobile-optimised training materials in a matter of seconds.
• Intuitive coaching portal: Features a user-friendly portal for administrators to distribute learning materials, monitor employee progress, and recognise achievements, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Mobile-first learning: Provides a flexible learning environment through a mobile platform, integrating gamification to engage employees anytime, enhancing their skills within their busy schedules.
• Effortless course distribution: Facilitates the wide-reaching dissemination of educational content, accommodating organisations of varying sizes and ensuring consistent training access.
• Extensive pre-built course library: Offers a curated library of ready-made courses focused on key skills such as customer interaction, cybersecurity and workplace ethics, designed for immediate implementation or editable as per the need.

Lingio pricing:

• A feature-packed freemium version is available to experience the platform's capabilities for your organisation.
• Paid plan information is available on a demo request.

TalentLMS

TalentLMS stands as a prime example of a cloud-based learning management system designed with the versatility to support and enhance online course creation and management across various industries, including hospitality. Powered by Epignosis, a frontrunner in learning technology, TalentLMS's mission is to make training accessible for all, boasting a global user base of over 70,000 teams.

Key capabilities of TalentLMS for hospitality training include:

• Automated management: Enables automatic course assignments, setting expiration dates, sequencing, and user deactivation, streamlining administrative tasks for new hires, seasonal training, and compliance checks.
• Role-specific training: Offers targeted learning solutions for all roles within the hospitality industry, from management to maintenance staff, ensuring relevant and effective training.
• Pre-designed courses: Provides a selection of ready-made courses specifically developed for the hospitality sector, allowing for faster training implementation.

TalentLMS ratings:

• G2 rating: 4.6/5 (701 ratings)
• Capterra rating: 4.7/5 (534 ratings)

TalentLMS pricing:

• Freemium version is available. No credit card is required.
• Paid subscription plans start from $69/month when billed yearly.
  
  

3. Continu

Continu is a contemporary learning platform that empowers organisations to create, manage, and enhance learning initiatives. Known for its ability to boost engagement rates, it's the chosen solution for leading companies like Slack, Instacart, and Upwork.

Key capabilities of Continu for hospitality training include:

• Deep integration: Seamlessly incorporates existing tools, allowing for the import of Google Drive files, Slack sharing, Zoom training sessions, and more, facilitating a unified learning ecosystem.
• Recognition badges: Motivates learners and drives engagement by awarding badges for learning milestones and achievements, fostering a culture of recognition and continuous improvement.
• Workshop management: Supports both virtual and in-person workshops, including attendance tracking, waitlist management, and the automation of workshop materials, simplifying the instructional process.

Continu ratings:

• G2 rating: 4.7/5 (424 ratings)
• Capterra rating: 4.8/5 (13 ratings)

Continu pricing:

• Pricing information is available on request.

4. Tovuti LMS

Tovuti LMS offers a streamlined solution for creating and delivering engaging learning experiences. Its all-in-one platform is designed to simplify the management of training programs, making education both enjoyable for learners and manageable for administrators.

Key capabilities of Tovuti LMS for hospitality training include:

• Multi-language support: Serves a global user base by providing content in over a dozen languages, with ongoing expansions to accommodate a diverse workforce.
• Fast implementation: Ensures readiness for use within a few hours, featuring same-day branding and white labelling for a swift training setup.
• Gamification elements: Features an extensive array of interactive content options, including games, scenarios, and animations, coupled with certifications and recognition systems, to boost learner engagement and retention.

Tovuti LMS ratings:

• G2 rating: 4.6/5 (268 ratings)
• Capterra rating: 4.8/5 (95 ratings)

Tovuti LMS pricing:

• Pricing information is available on request.

5. Mykademy

Mykademy presents a versatile LMS platform, offering a one-stop solution for businesses seeking efficient and comprehensive training and development tools. It caters to a broad spectrum of business needs, emphasising flexibility and accessibility in delivering educational content.

Key capabilities of Mykademy for hospitality training include:

• Live training: Enables the conduct of live training sessions, complementing pre-recorded classes to offer a dynamic and interactive learning environment.
• Extensive skill-based course library: Provides access to over 500 unique, ready-made courses designed by industry experts, aimed at upskilling teams to be work-ready and proficient in their fields.
• Learner progress notifications: Offers real-time notifications on learner progress, facilitating a thorough assessment of training impact and learner development.

Mykademy ratings:

• G2 rating: 4.9/5 (10 ratings)
• Capterra rating: 4.9/5 (9 ratings)

Mykademy pricing:

• Free trial and paid pricing information is available on request.

6. Innform

Innform offers a specialised online training platform designed for enterprises and their teams, focusing on creating and delivering top-tier online training globally. Emphasising learner-first features, Innform is GDPR and CCPA-compliant and has garnered trust from renowned hotel chains like Novotel.

Key capabilities of Innform for hospitality training include:

• Automated onboarding: Streamlines the introduction of new team members by automating the delivery of video courses, manuals, quizzes, and more, ensuring a smooth and efficient onboarding process.
• Certification: Enables the issuance of signed, custom certificates to learners upon completion of compliance courses, adding value to the educational journey.
• SCORM compatibility: Facilitates the upload and assignment of existing SCORM courses and quizzes, allowing for quick and easy distribution of learning materials.

Innform ratings:

• G2 rating: 5/5 (12 ratings)
• Capterra rating: 4.8/5 (12 ratings)

Innform pricing:

• 14-day free trial of the Pro plan is available. No credit card is required.
• Paid subscription plans start from $1.4/person/month when billed annually.

7. SeekLMS

SeekLMS is a cloud-based LMS designed for versatility and ease of use, catering to both organisations managing employee training and online academies. With its built-in authoring tool, SeekLMS simplifies the creation and delivery of engaging courses, offering comprehensive solutions to streamline learning processes end-to-end.

Key capabilities of SeekLMS for hospitality training include:

• Flexible delivery modes: Supports a variety of course delivery options, including self-study, web conference, on-campus, and blended learning, allowing for customised learning experiences tailored to course requirements and learner preferences.
• Surveys and ratings: Enables the collection of learner feedback through automated or on-demand surveys and configures pop-ups for gathering course ratings, utilising star or NPS formats to gauge learner satisfaction and course impact.
• Discussion forums: Incorporates features like discussion forums to foster a collaborative learning environment, encouraging the exchange of ideas and promoting a vibrant learning culture.

SeekLMS ratings:

• G2 rating: 4.8/5 (5 ratings)
• Capterra rating: Not listed yet.

SeekLMS pricing:

• Free trial and paid pricing information is available on request.

8. Docebo

Docebo's learning platform is designed to enhance engagement, productivity, and connectivity among customers, partners, and employees. Serving over 3,700 companies globally, Docebo offers a multi-product learning suite powered by advanced AI, equipping enterprises to address diverse learning challenges and foster a robust learning culture within their organisations.

Key capabilities of Docebo for hospitality training include:

• Accelerated content creation and translation: Utilises generative AI to speed up content creation and translation, centralising knowledge management and content governance.
• Compliance management: Simplifies content organisation, version control, and delivery with standardised processes, ensuring adherence to regulations like OSHA and HACCP through automated compliance, recertification, and reporting.
• Extensive content library: Provides access to over 20,000 pieces of premium content, including diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and food safety training.

Docebo ratings:

• G2 rating: 4.3/5 (547 ratings)
• Capterra rating: 4.3/5 (184 ratings)

Docebo pricing:

• Pricing information is available on request.

9. Absorb LMS

Absorb LMS is an AI-powered learning management system designed to offer an intuitive and engaging experience for both learners and administrators. It focuses on delivering meaningful learning experiences aimed at achieving tangible training goals.

Key capabilities of Absorb LMS for hospitality training include:

• Intelligent content creation: Leverages Absorb Create with generative AI to reduce the time required for course creation significantly. This tool enables both experienced course creators and subject matter experts to efficiently research, structure, and design courses.
• Intelligent recommendations: Utilises advanced AI to analyse learner data and suggest new content that aligns with their interests alongside popular courses.
• Customisable learner portals: Supports the creation of unique learner portals tailored to specific roles, locations, languages, and more, thanks to its multi-tenant architecture, ensuring a personalised learning environment for every user.

Absorb LMS ratings:

• G2 rating: 4.7/5 (408 ratings)
• Capterra rating: 4.5/5 (253 ratings)

Absorb LMS pricing:

• Pricing information is available on request.
  
  

10.  Litmos

Litmos presents a solution tailored for corporate training, offering a learning platform combined with extensive content libraries. Utilised by over 30 million users across 150 countries and available in 35 languages, Litmos is a globally recognised platform for its ease of use and comprehensive training solutions.

Key capabilities of Litmos for hospitality training include:

• Global accessibility: Ensures 24/7 access to training materials, both online and offline, and accommodates learners with disabilities. It supports over 35 languages, allowing users to engage in their language of preference, thus removing barriers to learning.
• Hospitality-focused courses: Provides a wealth of content specifically designed for the hospitality industry, including short, video-based courses on customer service, communication and social skills, and more developed by subject matter experts.
• Efficient tracking and reporting: Offers powerful tools for tracking and measuring the effectiveness of onboarding and other training programs, crucial for managing the high turnover typically seen in the hospitality industry and ensuring continuous learning progress.

Litmos ratings:

• G2 rating: 4.2/5 (559 ratings)
• Capterra rating: 4.2/5 (277 ratings)

Litmos pricing:

• 14-day free trial plan is available.
• Paid pricing information is available on request.
  
  
  

11. AcademyOcean

AcademyOcean is a dynamic e-learning platform built to simplify the creation and distribution of corporate training courses. It positions itself as a smart LMS solution, aiming to enhance business training with ease and efficiency.

Key capabilities of AcademyOcean for hospitality training include:

• Unlimited cloud portals: Allows the creation of a large number of educational environments or portals, which can be configured as invite-only or public to suit various audience needs.
• Team creation and course assignment: Enables grouping learners into department-specific teams for relevant course assignments. Automates progress through their Smart Teams feature, streamlining course completion and team transitions.

AcademyOcean ratings:

• G2 rating: 4.9/5 (22 ratings)
• Capterra rating: 4.9/5 (12 ratings)

AcademyOcean pricing:

• Paid subscription plans start from $22/month when billed annually, covering 1000 participant spots.
  
  
  

12. EdApp

EdApp is a mobile LMS that enables corporate and retail training, making eLearning more effective, efficient, and engaging. It provides administrators the tools to deliver superior onboarding, training, and educational content across any job or location.

Key capabilities of EdApp for hospitality training include:

• Customisable course library: Offers over 1,000 free courses in the library, allowing for customisation to align with your brand and deliver targeted training swiftly.
• Learner portal: Enhances completion rates with microlearning courses through a learner portal, adaptable to any device, facilitating engagement and milestone achievement.
• AI-powered creator tool: Simplifies content creation with AI Create, enabling the building of courses with a few clicks. Features over 80 templates incorporating videos, quizzes, games, and assessments for immediate, high-quality training delivery.

EdApp ratings:

• G2 rating: 4.7/5 (216 ratings)
• Capterra rating: 5/5 (2 ratings)

EdApp pricing:

• Freemium version is available.
• Paid subscription plans start from $2.95/user/month.
  
  

13. eloomi

eloomi combines learning and development into a single platform designed to help organisations globally deliver effective training and develop talent, thereby driving business success. As a leader in upskilling and reskilling solutions, eloomi empowers individuals and organisations across various industries, including the hotel industry.

Key capabilities of eloomi for hospitality training include:

• Compliance training simplified: Offers ready-made compliance training from leading providers, ensuring materials are automatically updated and supported by real-time reporting for a hassle-free compliance process.
• Skill mapping: Provides tools to map out organisational skills, identify and close skill gaps with automated training recommendations, and track progress with real-time course completion reports.

eloomi ratings:

• G2 rating: 4.7/5 (35 ratings)
• Capterra rating: 4.4/5 (92 ratings)

eloomi pricing:

• Free trial and paid pricing information is available on request.

14. SkyPrep

SkyPrep is an online training platform that supports over 500 organisations across various industries in training employees, customers, and partners. Known for its customisable, user-friendly interface, SkyPrep also prides itself on offering exceptional customer support to ensure the smooth delivery of training programs.

Key capabilities of SkyPrep for hospitality training include:

• Auto-enrollments: Streamlines learner enrollment based on user properties like course status, ensuring timely and relevant training assignments.
• Gamification: Enhances learner engagement by setting reward tiers, distributing points and badges, and fostering competition with a user leaderboard.
• Customisable learning environments: Allows for separate branding and content customisation for different audiences through white-labelled platforms, with easy sharing of courses and content.

SkyPrep ratings:

• G2 rating: 4.6/5 (70 ratings)
• Capterra rating: 4.8/5 (149 ratings)

SkyPrep pricing:

• Free trial and paid pricing information are available on request.

15. ProProfs

ProProfs is a comprehensive suite of learning tools, including an LMS, designed to facilitate the easy creation, sharing, tracking, and reporting of online courses and assessments.

Key capabilities of ProProfs for hospitality training include:

• Editable course templates: Offers a wide range of online training templates that combine modern design and typography, allowing for the creation of engaging courses that can be personalised with brand logos and images.
• Enhanced security with Single sign-on: Incorporates Single sign-on (SSO) for seamless user authentication, integrating with LDAP and HRIS systems to improve data security while saving time and resources.
• Role-based training assignment: Simplifies the organisation and administration of courses by roles and locations, facilitating targeted training paths for different roles, such as managers and staff within the hospitality and food & beverage industries.

ProProfs ratings:

• G2 rating: 4.4/5 (33 ratings)
• Capterra rating: 4.4/5 (26 ratings)

ProProfs pricing:

• Freemium version is available.
• Paid subscription plans start from $1.97/learner/month.

Choosing the right LMS for your hotel

With 16 options presented, picking one from the various hospitality LMS providers might seem daunting. To aid in this selection process and ensure it is as streamlined as possible, we’ve compiled a set of factors for consideration. These suggestions will guide you in making an informed decision that aligns with your hotel’s specific training needs and goals.

• Assess usability and accessibility: Ease of use for both trainers and learners is critical. Look for an LMS with an intuitive interface that simplifies course creation, management, and access. Additionally, ensuring the LMS is accessible on various devices, including mobile, allows staff to engage with training materials at their convenience, a must in the hospitality industry's round-the-clock environment.
• Consider language capabilities: For a diverse workforce, an LMS with multi-language support is essential. It ensures training materials are accessible to all employees, enhancing learning and inclusivity. Multi-language options improve comprehension and demonstrate a commitment to every staff member's development, optimising training effectiveness by addressing language barriers.
• Explore rapid course creation workflow support: Choose an LMS that streamlines both the creation of new courses and the updating of existing ones, using advanced technologies like generative AI, akin to Lingio's capabilities. This ensures your training content can quickly evolve to meet changing industry standards and guest expectations, keeping your staff's skills up-to-date and competitive.
• Look for gamification and interactive elements: Select an LMS that integrates gamification and interactive learning elements, such as quizzes, simulations, and leaderboards. These features make learning more engaging and enjoyable for employees, leading to higher retention rates and active participation.
• Evaluate scalability: The chosen LMS should be able to grow with your hotel. It must support an increasing number of users, courses, and data without performance issues. Scalability ensures that as your hotel expands or your training needs evolve, your LMS will continue to meet these demands without the need for a costly upgrade or platform switch.
• Prioritise support and customer service: Finally, consider the level of support and customer service provided by the LMS vendor. Responsive, helpful support can significantly improve the smooth operation of your training programs, especially during the initial implementation phase and beyond.

The Scandic Hotels success story: Navigating multilingual training challenges with Lingio

Scandic Hotels, with 280 locations across six countries, tackled the challenge of uniting a diverse workforce by partnering with Lingio. This collaboration introduced a learning platform offering professional Swedish courses tailored for the hospitality sector, enhanced by the ability to translate industry terms into over 80 languages. Louise Bergsten, a Scandic communicator, highlighted the strategic choice to focus on Swedish for operational coherence and long-term employee success in Sweden rather than opting for translations into multiple languages.

Scandic's partnership with Lingio illustrates the significant impact of effective language training and integration strategies on creating an inclusive, skilled workforce. This success story demonstrates how the right learning management system can address communication barriers and promote a culture of learning and service excellence.

Elevating hospitality training: A path to excellence with Lingio

As we wrap up our exploration of the top learning management systems for the hospitality industry, it's clear that the right LMS can be a game-changer for any hotel looking to elevate its staff training and, ultimately, its guest service quality.

As you consider your options, reflect on what matters most to your business and how each LMS aligns with those priorities. Whether it's scalability, user-friendliness, or specific functionalities like AI-powered course development, the ideal LMS for your hotel should align with your objectives and enhance your training programs.

Each hotel's journey towards training excellence is unique, and with Lingio, you have a partner ready to support you every step of the way.

Dive deeper, explore further, and discover how Lingio could be the key to unlocking your team's full potential, paving the way for unparalleled guest satisfaction and business success.

FAQs

1. How to use LMS in hotels effectively?

To use an LMS effectively in hotels, start by identifying the specific training needs of different roles within your staff, from front desk to housekeeping. Choose or develop top hospitality courses that meet these needs and ensure the LMS integrates well with existing hotel management systems for efficiency. Take advantage of mobile learning features to support staff learning on their own schedule, and use the system's tracking capabilities to monitor progress and identify areas for improvement. Encourage a culture of continuous learning by keeping content up-to-date and celebrating staff achievements, thereby enhancing overall performance and guest satisfaction.

2. How can LMS be integrated with existing hotel management systems?

Integrating an LMS with existing hotel management systems involves selecting an LMS that offers compatibility with your current tools, utilising APIs or built-in integration capabilities for seamless data exchange. Start by defining the key points of interaction between the systems, such as employee records, training schedules, and performance metrics. Work with IT professionals or the LMS vendor to establish a secure, efficient link between systems. Testing the integration in stages before full deployment ensures smooth operation, allowing for real-time updates and comprehensive tracking of training progress within your hotel's existing operational framework. This strategic integration enhances training efficiency and aligns staff development with overall hotel management goals.

3. How does an LMS help with compliance in the hospitality industry?

An LMS aids in hospitality industry compliance by automating the delivery and tracking of mandatory training and certifications required by regulations. It ensures that all staff members receive up-to-date training on essential topics such as health and safety protocols, food handling standards, and customer privacy laws. The system can alert managers to upcoming recertifications or updates in compliance requirements, providing a clear audit trail of completed training. This not only helps hotels maintain high standards of service and safety but also minimises the risk of legal issues related to non-compliance, streamlining the process of adhering to industry regulations efficiently.

4. What are some challenges of implementing LMS in hotels and how to overcome them?

Implementing an LMS in hotels presents challenges such as resistance to change, technological barriers, and varying staff skill levels. Overcoming these involves clear communication about the benefits of the LMS, ensuring the system is user-friendly and accessible on various devices, and providing adequate training and support to all users. Engaging staff through interactive content and gamification can increase adoption rates. Additionally, choosing an LMS that can be integrated with existing hotel management systems will streamline operations and enhance user experience, making the transition smoother and more effective.

5. Which is the best LMS for the hospitality industry?

Choosing the best LMS for hotels depends on specific training needs, including course creation speed, ease of distribution, and mobile accessibility. Lingio stands out for those seeking to rapidly develop and deploy engaging courses with minimal effort, especially for mobile users. Its AI-powered course creation tool transforms existing training materials into interactive, mobile-optimised formats quickly, making it an excellent choice for hospitality businesses aiming for efficiency and effectiveness in staff training.