Great travel experiences rarely come from fancy lobbies or marble floors. More often, they’re created by people—property owners, front desk managers, housekeeping staff—who care deeply about making a guest feel welcome. But in the fast-changing world of travel and technology, small and independent hotels have struggled to keep up with the big players. That’s where Cloudbeds steps in, and why its co-founder and CEO, Adam Harris, is being recognized as one of the Best Entrepreneurs of 2025.

Cloudbeds is more than just software. It’s a lifeline for hoteliers who want to deliver better guest experiences without being buried under paperwork, clunky systems, or tech headaches. With one platform, Cloudbeds gives hospitality providers the tools they need to run smoother operations, reach more guests, and grow with confidence.

But at the core of it all is something deeper: a belief in making hospitality simpler, fairer, and more human—for everyone.

A Global Company Rooted in a Simple Idea

Cloudbeds began with a real problem. When Adam Harris and his co-founder Richard Castle were traveling, they noticed that booking small, charming places wasn’t always easy—and when they spoke with property owners, they heard the same frustrations: managing rooms, handling payments, updating prices, and dealing with online travel sites was overwhelming.

Most small hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals didn’t have access to the tech that big hotel chains used. So, Adam and Richard rolled up their sleeves and decided to build something better.

That “something” is now Cloudbeds—a global company that supports thousands of properties in over 150 countries. Their all-in-one platform replaces the mess of disconnected tools with a clean, powerful system that just works. And because Cloudbeds was built from listening, not guessing, its solutions are practical, thoughtful, and refreshingly easy to use.

Helping Hotels Work Smarter, Not Harder

One of the biggest wins for Cloudbeds customers is how much time they get back. The platform’s Property Management System (PMS) brings together everything from reservations and housekeeping to payments and reporting. It’s designed to reduce errors, eliminate double bookings, and keep things organized—whether you run one property or twenty.

Need to manage rates across different booking sites like Airbnb, Booking.com, or Expedia? Cloudbeds’ Channel Manager handles that automatically. Want to analyze how well your rooms are performing? Their Cloudbeds Intelligence tool gives you clear, useful insights to make smarter decisions.

And with Cloudbeds Payments, property owners can securely accept and manage payments from anywhere in the world—no more chasing guests or manually entering credit card details.

Everything connects. Everything updates in real time. And everything is built to reduce stress, not add to it.

A Better Way to Connect with Guests

Technology should make communication easier, not colder. That’s why Cloudbeds built Whistle for Cloudbeds—a guest messaging tool that helps properties stay in touch before, during, and after a guest’s stay.

Through text, email, or chat, guests can ask questions, make requests, or even check in digitally. On the hotel’s side, all these conversations land in one simple inbox. That means staff can respond quickly, offer upsells, resolve issues faster, and make guests feel cared for.

The impact? Properties like Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek save hours every week while delivering a smoother, friendlier experience. It’s not just efficient—it’s personal.

Leadership That Listens, Builds, and Believes

Adam Harris didn’t come from a traditional hotel background, but that’s part of what makes him such a powerful leader in this space. As a traveler and entrepreneur, he brings an outsider’s eye to an industry that needed fresh thinking.

From day one, Adam has focused on understanding the pain points of hospitality professionals. That empathy turned into action—and today, it shapes how Cloudbeds builds its products, hires its people, and supports its customers.

He’s also led Cloudbeds with a deep commitment to flexibility and diversity. The company has been remote-first from the beginning, with over 650 employees working across 40+ countries. This global approach means Cloudbeds is built by people who understand the local realities of hospitality—whether it’s a beach hostel in Brazil, a guesthouse in Vietnam, or a boutique hotel in Italy.

Adam doesn’t chase buzzwords. He believes in solving real problems, hiring people who care, and building tools that give hospitality providers freedom—freedom from chaos, from outdated tech, and from limitations.

Looking Ahead

The hospitality industry often celebrates big names and big brands. But Cloudbeds focuses on the thousands of independent properties that make travel more meaningful—places with character, history, and heart.

With Cloudbeds, these businesses can finally compete on equal footing. They can manage operations like pros, deliver five-star service, and make data-driven decisions without needing an IT department.

That’s the magic of Cloudbeds: it levels the playing field, making great hospitality possible for everyone. Cloudbeds continues to evolve—introducing better analytics, more integrations, and even an open API that allows developers and property managers to customize their systems.

But what hasn’t changed is the company’s mission: to simplify hospitality and support the people behind it.

As Adam Harris and the Cloudbeds team look toward the future, their goal remains clear—make life easier for hoteliers, and better for travelers. Not by adding complexity, but by removing it. Because at the end of the day, hospitality isn’t about systems. It’s about people. And Cloudbeds is here to serve them—quietly, powerfully, and with heart.

“At Cloudbeds, we pride ourselves on top-notch onboarding, 24/7 live support, and fast training and adoption. As part of the Cloudbeds community, hoteliers benefit from continuous learning, access to new features, and product feedback opportunities.”