Stays
BackStays in Horsens is a Danish booking company that works as a link between guests and a large selection of especially smaller hotels, inns and places to stay around Denmark. As part of the Small Danish Hotels network, Stays functions in practice as a centralized partner that helps both private and business customers find classic hotel stays, inn holidays, weekend trips and longer stays, without having to contact each individual hotel.
For the traveler who wants a unified access to Danish inns and hotels, Stays can be an interesting choice. The company has an office address at Vejlevej 16 in Horsens and works with a digital set-up, where a large part of the contact takes place online or via their booking department. The focus here is on creating a relatively personal service within an area that is otherwise dominated by international, highly automated platforms.
Stays is primarily marketed as a one-stop shop for stays at Danish hotels and inns rather than a traditional package organizer. Yet in practice, they compete with many of the same players as a classic travel agency solution, because customers can get help choosing stays, compare options, and get advice on different destinations and types of stays.
Strengths of Stays as a booking partner
A clear plus about Stays is the way many guests experience contact with the employees in the booking department. Several customers emphasize that the staff seems welcoming, patient and very service-oriented, especially when it comes to helping find the right hotel and completing the reservation itself. For potential customers, it can be an advantage to talk to people who know the individual hotels rather than navigating alone on a global platform without local insight.
Stays also offers access to a relatively wide selection of accommodation types, ranging from classic inns with half board to city hotels and more modern concept hotels. This type of product portfolio makes Stays interesting for couples, families and mature travelers who appreciate a calm and familiar Danish hotel experience. In this context, Stays can be functionally seen as a type of Danish travel agency for stays in one's own country, where the focus is on comfort, atmosphere and predictability.
Another element that several guests have positively noted is the loyalty benefits in the form of earning points when staying at affiliated hotels and when visiting restaurants. For customers who regularly book stays through Stays, such schemes can provide a sense of extra value for the price. In many ways, it is reminiscent of bonus programs at larger international tour operators , but with a more niche Danish focus.
Customer service and personal advice
Stays' booking department is described in several inquiries as professional and committed. Customers often experience that employees take the time to review different options, listen to wishes and recommend stays that match special needs – for example, if you are traveling as a couple, as a family or in connection with a small business trip. This human dimension sets Stays apart from many automated platforms and appeals to customers who want a more dialogue-based process.
For companies that need to arrange stays for employees, it can be helpful to have one permanent contact point that can oversee multiple hotels and handle changes and questions. Here, Stays acts in practice as a Danish counterpart to a smaller, specialized travel agency that knows its hotel network well and can give concrete recommendations rather than just showing anonymous lists of options.
Challenges and criticisms
Despite the many positive experiences, there are also a number of criticisms that potential customers should be aware of. A recurring complaint concerns the digital user experience, especially in relation to searching for available stays and prices. Some customers say that they simply cannot get the search function to work satisfactorily, and that it can be difficult to complete a full online booking without problems.
When a customer experiences difficulty in finding availability and current prices, it is natural to compare with large international portals, where the user expects a fast and error-free search. Here Stays has potential for improvement: a more stable and intuitive booking system would make the experience more up-to-date and match the digital level that many travelers today expect from a modern online travel portal .
Another criticism concerns how feedback is handled. There are examples of customers who have approached Stays with specific problems or suggestions for improvement – for example, regarding technical challenges or experiences at individual hotels – and who do not feel that they have been taken seriously. Some describe the experience as a bit dismissive or disinterested, which can affect trust in the company as a professional partner.
It also appears from some reports that there can be ambiguity about loyalty points and their accrual, especially if the stay is booked in a way where the hotel and central booking system are not fully synchronized. For customers who are interested in bonus programs, it can be frustrating if the rules are not perceived as clear, or if an expected accrual is not registered.
The relationship between Stays and the individual hotels
Stays acts as a middleman between the guest and the many hotels and inns that are affiliated with the network. This means that the quality of the stay does not only depend on Stays, but also on the local hosts at the individual hotels. Some guests have had experiences where the decor, cleaning or service at a particular hotel did not meet expectations, and where the subsequent dialogue has given the impression that criticism was not received very openly.
For the traveler, it may therefore be a good idea to both read about Stays as a booking company and to examine reviews of the specific hotel they are considering. Stays can provide a smooth booking process and a competent contact interface, but the comfort, atmosphere and hospitality during the stay itself still depend on the individual partner.
Stays compared to other travel agents
In an industry dominated by large international platforms, Stays positions itself as a more specialized provider with a focus on Danish hotels and inns. While many global systems cover a huge range across countries, Stays chooses a more limited, Danish angle. This may appeal to customers who are looking for a more locally rooted approach and want stays in Denmark rather than complex package holidays abroad.
At the same time, this specialization means that Stays offers less complete travel packages with transport, excursions and activities, which are typically associated with a full-scale tour operator . Travelers who want flights, round trips and organized tours included in the same package will often have to combine Stays' hotel bookings with other suppliers. In return, through Stays, you can find accommodations that are well suited to your own transport – for example, self-drive holidays – and tailor the days to your own wishes.
The market for digital travel services is constantly evolving, and expectations for both ease of use, transparency and personal service are increasing. Here, Stays has a starting point with physical employees who know the affiliated hotels, but also a need to ensure that the technical side meets today's standards for a professional online travel agency . Customers who prioritize personal contact may see this as a strength, while highly digital users may experience limitations.
Who is Stays best suited for?
Stays is aimed primarily at guests who want to stay in Danish hotels and inns and who appreciate someone helping them find the right place rather than having to sift through a multitude of international options themselves. For couples planning a weekend getaway, couples on a self-drive holiday or smaller groups who want a classic Danish hotel experience, Stays can be a relevant choice.
Stays can also act as a practical partner for companies that need to book stays for employees or smaller events. In this context, they play a role that is similar to a smaller, specialized travel agency with a focus on accommodation rather than complete travel packages. The personal contact and knowledge of the network's hotels can be an advantage when you want consistent quality across multiple destinations.
Overall assessment from a customer-oriented perspective
Based on the available experiences, a picture emerges of Stays as an actor with a strong foundation in Danish hotel culture, a committed booking team and a wide selection of partner hotels. The positive customer experiences are particularly linked to the personal service, quick help via the booking department and the feeling that the employees actually know the places they are arranging stays for.
On the other hand, the more critical voices show that there is still work to be done – especially around technical stability of the website, clear communication about loyalty benefits and handling of complaints and suggestions. Customers who expect a flawless, fully automated online experience on par with the largest global platforms may find that Stays does not always live up to this standard.
For potential guests, this means that Stays can be a good choice if you prioritize personal contact, want Danish-rooted stays and appreciate a network of hotels and inns gathered in one place. At the same time, it is wise to be aware of the challenges mentioned and – as with all travel purchases – take the time to read about both the booking company and the specific hotel before making a decision.