A POS (Point of Sale) system in hotels is a software and hardware solution that enables transactions and manages sales operations within the hotel. It is used in various areas of a hotel business, including restaurants, bars, clubs, spas and gift shops.

POS stands for point of sale. In a hotel restaurant, a POS system refers to the hardware and software used to manage transactions, inventory and customer data. A POS works by processing payments and updating inventory in real time. To use a POS system, staff need to log in, scan products, accept payments and ensure the system updates inventory levels and sales data automatically. POS systems offer several advantages in the hospitality industry, including streamlined sales processes, accurate inventory tracking and improved customer management.

A POS is different from a payments system, but they work in tandem. From a POS, you can accept payments, manage inventory, view key business insights and more. Payment systems allow businesses to process payments and facilitate transactions via devices like payment terminals, card readers, etc. An embedded payment processor is one that is built-in to your POS, and transaction data is automatically recorded.

Within the hotel industry the POS (point of sale) and PMS (property management system) serve different but frequently complementary functions.

The property management system (PMS) is the primary software hotels employ to manage their daily operations related to guest reservations and rooms. The PMS serves as a central hub for all guest activities within the space. The key functions of the PMS (property management system) are: reservations and bookings, guest check-in and check-out, room management (status, housekeeping), billing and payments, customer relationship management (CRM), reporting and analytics. Within the hotel, the staff that typically use the system are those working at the front desk, housekeeping and management.

The point of sale system (POS) is used primarily for processing sales transactions. For a hotel, a POS is used in hotel restaurants and bars, onsite spas and gift shops. The POS facilitates the sales of goods and services, including but not limited to drinks, food, spa treatments and any retail items the hotel sells. Outside of this primary function, the point of sale tracks stock levels in the hotel bar, hotel restaurant and hotel gift shop. Integrations with a POS allow for guests to charge purchases directly to their room account. Staff have access through the POS to sales reporting and analytics. The typical users for a hotel POS are the bar, restaurant, spa and gift store staff.

The price of a hotel POS system depends on the features and capabilities your hotel requires. Lightspeed Hospitality , for instance, starts at $189 USD a month, which includes: customizable POS, menu manager, floor plans, Advanced Insights, takeout and delivery, single-view reconciliation, CRM and loyalty, online ordering, contactless ordering, order and pay at table, Lightspeed app, multi-location management and advanced inventory management.