5 Connectivity Considerations for Hoteliers
Hotel decision makers and specifiers can attest: Keeping up with the needs of today’s connected guest has never been more important. As evidenced by Hospitality Technology’s 2016 Customer Engagement Technology study, 91% of guests say they make their hotel section based on the property offering free Wi-Fi. But what good is updating your Wi-Fi infrastructure if guests can’t easily connect to power? The addition of increased access to charging and connection points throughout a property is an essential consideration. In this article, Legrand offers five factors every hotel technology decision maker should keep in mind in today’s connected age:
1. Upgrade the details. Improve the guest experience by adding sleek and sophisticated connection point design elements, specifically with wall plates and outlets. Swap builder-grade options for custom, elevated designs that match a property’s aesthetic. Knowing the USB’s ubiquity, look for ways to incorporate additional ports throughout the hotel to simplify the charging experience.
2. Increase connection points and power access in the guest room. Devices play a large role in the hotel experience, especially in the guest room where guests rely on their devices for stay-related needs as well as personal entertainment and communications. Convenient, intuitive access to power to keep them connected is essential throughout the room but should not interfere with the room’s design. Luckily, there are creative ways to think about adding outlets and USB ports, like the TV armoire, desks, walls, headboards, and bedside tables.
3. Ensure a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. As guests flock to the outdoors—especially in seasonal or resort properties—offering safe power access in outside spaces is a critical consideration when thinking through connectivity’s role in the hotel experience. Temporary workarounds cause myriad issues ranging from tripping hazards to rust and corrosion and are either unsafe or not UL-listed for outdoor use. The best way to deliver safe power access outdoors without interrupting existing designs is to incorporate code-compliant, permanent tools.
4. Take advantage of common spaces. Hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, and gyms are becoming the preferred spots for guests to work, socialize, and relax. This is especially the case for millennials and younger travelers, who increasingly favor the lobby area as a place for productivity and socializing. These desires must be met with easily accessible access to power and charging. One smart solution is to incorporate power access within lobby furniture—outlets with USB ports encourage guests to linger and enjoy the setting.
5. Keep sustainability in mind. On average, American hotel properties spend $2,196 per available room each year on energy, representing about 6% of all operating costs (Source: Energy Star). Across the country, energy codes are under review to reduce the amount of energy consumed by commercial properties like hotels. By implementing products or controls to manage and increase energy efficiency on-property, hotel owners and operators can achieve cost savings that benefit the bottom line.
1. Upgrade the details. Improve the guest experience by adding sleek and sophisticated connection point design elements, specifically with wall plates and outlets. Swap builder-grade options for custom, elevated designs that match a property’s aesthetic. Knowing the USB’s ubiquity, look for ways to incorporate additional ports throughout the hotel to simplify the charging experience.
2. Increase connection points and power access in the guest room. Devices play a large role in the hotel experience, especially in the guest room where guests rely on their devices for stay-related needs as well as personal entertainment and communications. Convenient, intuitive access to power to keep them connected is essential throughout the room but should not interfere with the room’s design. Luckily, there are creative ways to think about adding outlets and USB ports, like the TV armoire, desks, walls, headboards, and bedside tables.
3. Ensure a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. As guests flock to the outdoors—especially in seasonal or resort properties—offering safe power access in outside spaces is a critical consideration when thinking through connectivity’s role in the hotel experience. Temporary workarounds cause myriad issues ranging from tripping hazards to rust and corrosion and are either unsafe or not UL-listed for outdoor use. The best way to deliver safe power access outdoors without interrupting existing designs is to incorporate code-compliant, permanent tools.
4. Take advantage of common spaces. Hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, and gyms are becoming the preferred spots for guests to work, socialize, and relax. This is especially the case for millennials and younger travelers, who increasingly favor the lobby area as a place for productivity and socializing. These desires must be met with easily accessible access to power and charging. One smart solution is to incorporate power access within lobby furniture—outlets with USB ports encourage guests to linger and enjoy the setting.
5. Keep sustainability in mind. On average, American hotel properties spend $2,196 per available room each year on energy, representing about 6% of all operating costs (Source: Energy Star). Across the country, energy codes are under review to reduce the amount of energy consumed by commercial properties like hotels. By implementing products or controls to manage and increase energy efficiency on-property, hotel owners and operators can achieve cost savings that benefit the bottom line.