Digital signage can do much more for a hotel than display a welcome message. Strategically placed digital screens can help guests find their way around, promote facilities, share important information and create a more polished, modern atmosphere.
But where should you actually put your screens? The answer depends on the size and layout of your hotel, your guests’ needs and what you want your digital signage to achieve. Here are some of the most effective locations to consider.
Hotel reception and lobby
The reception area is an obvious starting point. It is usually one of the first places guests see, making it ideal for a large digital display or LED video wall.
A screen behind or near reception could display:
- Welcome messages and hotel information
- Restaurant and bar opening times
- Upcoming events
- Promotional offers
- Local attractions
- Hotel facilities
- Branded imagery and video content
A well-designed screen can also make a large reception area feel more visually interesting. For luxury hotels in particular, a high-quality LED video wall can become part of the interior design rather than simply functioning as an information board.
Entrance areas
Your digital signage does not necessarily need to start at reception. A screen near the entrance can provide an immediate introduction to the hotel.
It could welcome guests, highlight current events or direct visitors towards reception, restaurants, conference facilities or other areas.
For hotels with multiple entrances, digital signage can also help prevent confusion. This can be particularly useful for larger properties where guests may arrive for different reasons, such as staying overnight, attending a wedding or visiting a conference.
Corridors and lift areas
Guests often spend more time than you might expect waiting for lifts or walking through communal areas. These locations therefore provide useful opportunities for digital signage.
Screens positioned near lifts could display information such as restaurant promotions, spa services, breakfast times or upcoming hotel events. They can also support wayfinding, helping guests understand where different facilities are located.
The key is not to overload these screens with information. Content should be quick and easy to understand, particularly when guests are passing through rather than deliberately stopping to read it.
Restaurants and bars
Digital signage can be particularly effective in hotel restaurants, bars and lounges. Menus, drinks promotions, special events and seasonal offers can all be displayed digitally.
Unlike printed signage, the content can be updated quickly when prices, availability or promotions change.
In a bar or lounge, a digital screen can also contribute to the atmosphere. Carefully selected video content, branding or visual effects can complement the interior rather than looking like traditional advertising.
Conference and event spaces
Hotels that host conferences, meetings, weddings and other events have another strong use case for digital signage.
Screens can display welcome messages for individual events, schedules, room information and directions. Content can be changed between events, meaning the same display can serve multiple purposes throughout the day.
Bedrooms and guest areas
Digital signage is not limited to communal spaces. Depending on the hotel’s approach and technology, screens in guest areas can provide information about room service, hotel facilities, checkout times and local attractions.
However, the balance is important. Guests do not necessarily want to feel as though they are being advertised to throughout their stay. Digital displays in private guest spaces should therefore focus on useful, relevant information rather than excessive promotional content.
Swimming pools, spas and leisure facilities
Hotels with spas, gyms, swimming pools or other leisure facilities can use digital signage to communicate opening hours, treatment availability, booking information and facility guidelines.
A screen could also promote treatments or services that guests might not have considered when they arrived.
In these areas, screens need to be selected carefully according to the environment. Factors such as humidity, brightness, viewing distance and installation requirements should be considered before choosing equipment.
Outdoor areas
Hotels with large grounds, outdoor dining areas, entrances or event spaces may also benefit from outdoor digital signage.
Outdoor LED screens can be used for event information, directions, promotions or branding. However, outdoor installations have different requirements from indoor displays, particularly around weather resistance and screen brightness.
Choosing the right locations for hotel digital signage
The best digital signage strategy is not necessarily about installing the largest number of screens. It is about putting the right screen in the right location.
With thoughtful planning, digital signage can become much more than a display. It can help hotels communicate more effectively, promote their facilities and create a more engaging experience from the moment guests arrive.