CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for hotels and motels in Hays, KS
Hotels and motels in the Hays, KS micropolitan area: 17 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs an 18-person team.
- Establishments
- 17CBP 2023
- Employees
- 313mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 58.6U.S. 16.4
- Rank
- 493rd of 917areas by count
The hotel market in Hays, KS
County Business Patterns counts 17 hotels and motels (NAICS 721110, Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels) in the Hays, KS micropolitan area for 2023. They employed 313 people in mid-March and paid $5,669,000 in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 493rd out of 917 areas with published figures for hotels and motels.
Measured against its 29,007 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 58.6 hotels and motels per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 16.4, so Hays, KS is 256.6% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 18.4 employees, compared with 26.8 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $18,112, 54.0% below the national $39,374.
| Measure | Hays, KS | Kansas | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 17 | 621 | 55,895 |
| Mid-March employees | 313 | 9,498 | 1,497,840 |
| Annual payroll | $5,669,000 | $245,888,000 | $58,976,358,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 18.4 | 15.3 | 26.8 |
| Payroll per employee | $18,112 | $25,888 | $39,374 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 58.6 | 20.9 | 16.4 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at hotels and motels in Hays, KS
Of the hotels and motels in Hays, KS that had employees in March 2023, 20.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 30.9%). Small teams usually share the phone: the person who answers is often also serving a customer or doing the job, which is when calls get missed.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 3 | 20.0% | 30.9% |
| 5–9 employees | not published | — | 14.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 7 | 46.7% | 21.7% |
| 20–49 employees | 5 | 33.3% | 23.1% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 9.4% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for hotels and motels in Hays, KS
Independent hotels take reservations, guest requests and group inquiries by phone, and the front desk is staffed around the clock. Calls that go unanswered may become bookings elsewhere.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for hotels and motels in Hays, KS:
- A traveler calls to ask about availability this weekend.
- A guest calls the front desk for extra towels.
- The hotel calls a guest to confirm a late arrival.
Texting guests
Hotels text check-in details and guest service updates.
Texts sent from a local business number in Hays, KS have to be registered with carriers first (10DLC); on Callata that is a one-time $49 fee, after which the whole team can text from the shared number.
Phone system pricing for an 18-person hotel
The average hotel in Hays, KS has 18.4 employees, so an 18-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Priced per seat, 18 users would run $540.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $449.10 on Ooma Office Pro (month-to-month list prices, checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $359.00 a month for 18 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $2,172 less than RingCentral for a hotel in Hays, KS of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $359.00 | $4,308.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $342.00 | $4,104.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $414.00 | $4,968.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $449.10 | $5,389.20 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $486.00 | $5,832.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $540.00 | $6,480.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Local area codes for hotels and motels in Hays, KS
The exchanges in the area's named cities and towns are all in area code 785 (21 exchanges in NANPA's file). A local number lets guests in Hays, KS call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 785 | 21 | Central and Mountain | 1997 | none |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
What hotels and motels in Hays, KS get with Callata
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Hays, KS is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many hotels and motels are there in Hays, KS?
Census County Business Patterns counted 17 hotels and motels in the Hays, KS micropolitan area in 2023. They employed 313 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for an 18-person hotel?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 18 users cost $540.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $449.10 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $359.00.
What area code should a hotel in Hays, KS use?
Area code 785 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a hotel?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.