How IoT is helping create a connected Guest Room Environment?

Internet of things (IoT) is playing a key role in transforming the hospitality technology as we know it today. To explore this further, we asked industry leaders the question “What role can Internet of Things (IoT) technology play in creating a more connected and interactive guest room environment?”.

Here is what they have to say on this.

Peter Ricci – Florida Atlantic University

The incorporation of Internet of Things (IoT) with guest room guest service is as far and wide as the mind can envision! Basics, like preventative maintenance and engineering being tied into sensors to make sure the A/C filters are changed, the light bulbs are all working, the carpet or floor cleaning timeline is being incorporated accurately etc.
Then, we have the in-room amenities. We can attach from the radio or music system to our mini-refrigerator and A/C controls to lighting and even humidity using a humidifier or de-humidifier depending on geographic locale.

Before investing heavily in IoT, however, you must know your guests. There are several areas of the world where mobile check in causes over 80% of guests never to interact with a staff member. These are “high tech zones” as I call them where IoT would prove super valuable. Order and customize your room service delivery to be placed into your refrigerator while you’re out at a meeting AND have the refrigerator’s temperature pre-set by your device…amazing. Set the humidity level and temperature and lighting before you exit your UBER on the way to the hotel…amazing.
Incorporating procedures, products, and environments using IoT will definitely enhance the guest experience if done properly, invested for adequately, and – first and most important – placed into the right settings with the right type of guests who will utilize and appreciate it and within the right hotel market segments.

Bart Berkey – Founder/CEO of Most People Don’t, LLC

In the hospitality world, we all need to be mindful that technology is allowing for greater connectivity and service, not less.  Imagine walking into a room and having the same technology devices that you have at home.  Fine, but what about the privacy aspect of the “Alexa’s” and the “Siri’s” in a public hotel guest room?  The benefit can come when technology is able to help with these types of scenarios and questions:  “What time does my conference start tomorrow?”  Which meeting room is the general session being held in and how do I get there?  What time is the fitness center open?  Can I order in room dining simply by voice?
All of these things would enable a smoother stay, when they work.
From an operational lens, I am in full support of IoT sensing my movements and turning off the lights or changing the temperature to save energy costs.

I am in full support of motion detecting devices that will alert housekeeping and mini-bar attendants when I am out of the room.  This enhances service excellence.
We can’t forget the need for human connectivity and interaction. This is where the element of service and hospitality is derived from.  Technology can’t make a guest “feel a certain way”.  Human service and guest talent can not only make us “feel a certain way”, these emotions create memories that can last a lifetime (when good and well executed).  I can’t remember a time when IoT made me feel.  Let’s not lose the “hospitable” in “hospitality”.

Steve Carran – “The Modern Hotelier” Podcast

The Internet of Things (IoT) technology can significantly enhance the guest and hotel experience.  Below are my top 5 ways IoT helps hotels with one bonus item.

1. Enhanced Guest Experience

• Smart Room Controls: IoT enables guests to control room settings such as lighting, temperature, and window blinds through a centralized interface, like a tablet or a mobile app. Preferences can be saved for future visits.
• Automated Check-In/Check-Out: Smart door locks can allow guests to check in and out via their smartphones, bypassing the need for physical keys and front desk queues.
• Wi-Fi Optimization: IoT devices can help optimize Wi-Fi networks to ensure stable and fast internet connections, improving the overall guest experience.
• Smart TVs and Streaming Services: IoT can enable smart TVs with personalized content and streaming services, allowing guests to continue watching their favorite shows and movies just as they would at home.

2. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

• Smart Thermostats: These devices can adjust the room temperature based on occupancy and guest preferences, reducing energy waste.
• Motion Sensors: Lights and other electronics can automatically turn off when the room is unoccupied, conserving energy.

3. Improved Security and Safety

• Smart Locks and Security Systems: IoT-enabled locks and security cameras can enhance room security, allowing guests to monitor their rooms remotely.
• Emergency Alerts: IoT devices can provide real-time alerts for emergencies like fires or gas leaks, ensuring prompt responses.

4. Enhanced Housekeeping and Maintenance

• Predictive Maintenance: IoT sensors can monitor the condition of in-room equipment and notify maintenance staff before issues arise, ensuring everything is in working order for guests.
• Housekeeping Requests: Guests can use IoT-enabled devices to request housekeeping services at their convenience, ensuring their privacy and comfort.

BONUS: Data-Driven Insights

• Guest Preferences: IoT devices can collect data on guest preferences and behaviors, allowing hotels to tailor services and marketing efforts to individual guests.
• Operational Efficiency: Data from IoT devices can help hotel management understand usage patterns and optimize operations, from staffing to resource allocation.

By integrating IoT technology, hotels can create a more personalized, convenient, and efficient guest room environment, enhancing the overall guest experience and operational effectiveness.

Vincent Somsen – Hospitality and Travel Tech Advisor, GAIN

Our focus at GAIN is on the transformative potential of IoT technology in enhancing the guest experience. The ability of IoT to automatically adjust room settings to a guest’s preferences, from lighting to room temperature, based on their stored preferences or pre-arrival inputs, is a significant advance in personalizing guest experiences.

These technologies also enhance operations by improving energy efficiency, facilitating proactive maintenance, and optimizing housekeeping schedules. This makes services more effective, sustainable, and responsive. The security features powered by IoT, such as smart locks and integrated security systems, provide an extra layer of safety, giving both guests and staff peace of mind.

Moreover, as health and wellness continue to grow in importance for travelers, IoT’s role in monitoring air quality and customizing fitness offerings in guest rooms has become increasingly valuable, reflecting the commitment to meeting evolving guest expectations.

At Growth Advisors International Network (GAIN), we are deeply committed to ushering the hospitality industry into a new era. My roots in a hotelier family from The Netherlands provided me with an early, hands-on education in hospitality, which was later enriched by my professional experiences at prestigious brands such as Waldorf Astoria and W Hotels in both The Netherlands and the USA.

Doug Radkey – President KRG Hospitality Inc.

IoT technology is currently providing a revolutionized impact on hotel guest experiences by enabling highly personalized room environments. From voice-activated devices that control room settings and service requests through to smart energy systems that enhance operational efficiency and guest comfort, IoT integration offers a new level of interaction and customization.

This not only elevates guest satisfaction but also provides hotels with significant operational benefits, including proactive maintenance and housekeeping, improved security, entertainment opportunities and more. Focusing on this transformative opportunity now will undoubtedly position hotel brands for the immediate and long-term future.

Fred Bean – Founder & CEO HotelPORT

Imagine walking into a hotel room that knows your preferences before you even set foot inside. This is the transformative potential of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in the hospitality sector. IoT is reshaping how we deliver guest experiences by creating more connected and interactive environments within hotel rooms. Across the industry, IoT offers opportunities to provide personalized stays by remembering guest preferences for room settings such as temperature, lighting, and entertainment, ensuring every guest feels uniquely catered to during their stay.

Voice assistants have become a cornerstone of this transformation. They empower guests to control room features effortlessly through voice commands, whether adjusting the thermostat or requesting room service. This convenience is further amplified by IoT devices that seamlessly integrate, providing smart mirrors, connected coffee makers, and other advanced amenities that enhance the guest experience.

However, as we embrace these technological advancements, it is imperative to strike a balance between personalization and privacy. Robust data privacy practices and transparent policies are essential in maintaining this equilibrium. Protecting guest information is not just a regulatory requirement but a cornerstone of building trust and confidence. It is crucial for the industry to prioritize this balance, ensuring that while guests enjoy the personalized and seamless experience that IoT offers, their personal data remains secure and their privacy respected.

In my opinion, the future of hospitality lies in the intelligent integration of technology that prioritizes both innovation and privacy. By doing so, we can create a memorable and secure guest experience that keeps them returning time and again, assured of both our technological prowess and our commitment to their privacy. This dual focus on personalization and privacy is what sets leading hospitality providers apart in today’s competitive market.