Maqami vs Restel
Restel is a European B2B hotel aggregation platform and a subsidiary of the Hotelbeds Group. Operating primarily across Europe and the Mediterranean, Restel provides hotel inventory to travel agencies, tour operators, and other B2B distributors. As part of the Hotelbeds ecosystem, Restel shares some infrastructure but maintains its own contracts and distribution channels. The platform is known for competitive European rates but limited global reach and aging technology.
Detailed comparison between Maqami and Restel (a Hotelbeds brand) including pricing, latency, features, onboarding, support, and migration guidance for travel agencies.
Maqami Wins
15
Restel Wins
1
Ties
0
| Feature | Maqami | Restel | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subscription / Pricing | Completely free — no monthly fees, no setup costs | Contract-based pricing through the Hotelbeds Group commercial framework | Maqami |
| API Latency | Sub-150ms average response time (Rust-powered engine) | 1–2.5s average response time on legacy infrastructure | Maqami |
| Technology Stack | Modern Next.js frontend, Rust search engine, edge-deployed | Legacy SOAP/XML-based API; older web portal interface | Maqami |
| AI Integration | Q-Core AI for dynamic pricing, demand forecasting, and smart recommendations | No AI capabilities; manual pricing and standard reports | Maqami |
| Property Count | 180,000+ properties across 90+ countries | 60,000+ properties concentrated in Europe | Maqami |
| Country Coverage | 90+ countries with strong Middle East and Asia presence | 30+ countries primarily in Southern and Western Europe | Maqami |
| Onboarding Time | Minutes — self-serve sign-up with instant API keys | 3–6 weeks — Hotelbeds commercial process with Restel-specific integration | Maqami |
| Support | 24/7 multilingual support with dedicated account managers | Spanish and European business-hours support | Maqami |
| White Label Portal | Fully customizable white-label booking engine included at no extra cost | No white-label portal available | Maqami |
| Markup Controls | Granular per-property, per-market, per-date markup rules | Basic markup settings within the booking system | Maqami |
| Multi-currency | 65+ currencies with real-time FX conversion | EUR and GBP primary; limited additional currencies | Maqami |
| Real-time Availability | True real-time with sub-second cache invalidation | Availability checks with 1–3 second response times | Maqami |
| Cancellation Management | Automated cancellation engine with instant refund processing | Manual cancellation handling with email confirmation | Maqami |
| Payment Options | Credit line, prepaid, credit card, and virtual card support | Bank transfer and credit line through Hotelbeds Group | Maqami |
| Minimum Commitment | None — scale up or down freely | Minimum requirements set by Hotelbeds Group commercial terms | Maqami |
| Market Tenure | Emerging platform with cutting-edge technology | 30+ years of European hotel distribution experience | Restel |
Where Maqami Has an Advantage
- Modern REST API with sub-150ms speeds versus Restel's legacy SOAP/XML system averaging 1–2.5 seconds per request.
- Three times the property coverage (180,000+ vs 60,000+) with global reach beyond Restel's Europe-only footprint.
- Comprehensive white-label portal included at no cost, a feature Restel does not offer at all.
- Self-serve onboarding in minutes rather than navigating the multi-week Hotelbeds Group commercial process required for Restel access.
Migration CTA
You can run Maqami in parallel with Restel during migration and compare conversion, latency, and commercial margin before full cutover.
FAQ
Is Maqami better than Restel?
For most use cases, yes. Maqami surpasses Restel in nearly every measurable category: larger inventory, broader coverage, faster API, modern technology, AI-powered tools, and free access. Restel's main advantage is its 30+ years of established European supplier relationships and competitive rates in specific Southern European markets. However, Maqami's growing European inventory and superior technology make it a compelling alternative.
How does Maqami compare to Restel pricing?
Maqami is completely free with no contracts or commitments. Restel, as part of the Hotelbeds Group, requires formal commercial agreements with defined terms and potentially minimum volume requirements. Maqami's open access model is far more accessible, especially for agencies looking to avoid complex procurement processes.
Can I switch from Restel to Maqami?
Yes, and many agencies find the switch particularly beneficial given Restel's aging SOAP/XML API. Maqami's modern REST API is significantly easier to integrate with, often requiring less development time than maintaining a Restel connection. You can sign up and start testing Maqami's inventory within minutes.
Is Restel being merged into Hotelbeds?
Restel operates as a subsidiary of Hotelbeds Group and shares some infrastructure, but maintains separate contracts and distribution channels. The long-term trajectory of the brand within Hotelbeds is uncertain. Maqami provides an independent platform that agencies can rely on without concerns about brand consolidation or changes to service terms driven by a parent company.