Interactive Technology and the Evolution of Guest Engagement in Hotel Lobbies

A hotel lobby is where everything starts. It is the first point of contact with your brand and a way to make the first impression. Hotel lobby digital signage ensures that the impression is positive. Kitcast helps hotels bring more interactivity and engagement to the lobby. Here’s how it works. 

Evolution of a hotel lobby

Hotels have a long history. The roots of overnight accommodation go as far back as Ancient Greece and Rome.

There were special hospitals with thermal baths where travelers could have some rest. The word “hospitality” reflects that connection to a medical institution. As for the word “hotel,” it comes from the French “hôtel” which meant a special place where care was provided. 

Flash forward from the Roman times to the medieval world, a new kind of accommodation emerges. Inns appear everywhere from England to Japan to give travelers a place to stay overnight. As most of the travel back then was by using horse-driven coaches, this type of accommodation was called a coaching inn. 

The inns are generally regarded as the proto-hotels. Their operation principle was simple: give guests a room, food, drinks and stabling (aka a parking spot) for horses. Basically, the same things hotels offer now, minus the horse service. 

If you wondered what the oldest hotel in the world is, it’s in Japan. Founded in 705, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan in the Akaishi Mountains has been officially awarded this title by Guinness World Records. 

The 19th century saw the rise of the grand hotels in the Western Hemisphere. The sumptuous, gargantuan new lodgings were a big step up from modest inns and catered to the wealthy and famous. It was the time when such iconic hotels as Astor House in New York City, Savoy in London and Ritz in Paris were founded. 

What’s similar to ancient hospitals, inns and grand hotels of the 19th century? They all had a variation a lobby area. 

The lobbies went a long way from being just a bar counter at the coaching inns to a multifunctional tech-filled space of the 21st century. Yet, their main purpose didn’t change much.

It has always been about the first impression. There was always an element of providing the best guest experience and making sure that the visitors enter and leave satisfied. 

What neither inns nor Old World’s grand hotels had, though, was the hotel lobby digital signage. Hoteliers of today are fortunate to have access to the ultimate engagement tool that completely transforms hotel communication.

What are the main purposes of a hotel lobby today?

The lobby can just be a place where guests take their keys and head to their rooms. With technology, it can be much more than that. 

Lobby digital signage software such as Kitcast transforms this area into a multifunctional hub that provides a personalized experience to guests, upsells better and promotes membership programs. All simultaneously. 

But before going into signage technology perks, let’s define the main purposes of a hotel lobby today. Here they are: 

– the place of the first impression

The lobby is the first space a guest interacts with. In a way, it sets the tone for the rest of the stay. Check-in experience, the attitude of the staff, the design, the waiting area, all of these factors influence the satisfaction from being at your hotel. A good lobby is focused on giving the best first impression.

– smooth check-in

For most guests, the lobby will be primarily a spot for the check-in procedure. A negative impression of check-in will influence their decision to return and opt for more services your hotel offers.

– an informational hub 

Lobbies are spaces where guests ask questions and get answers. It may be about the hotel, the destination, the tours, the restaurants, the spa centers, etc. The more informational it is, the better for the experience. 

– a comfortable waiting area

Many guests would spend time in your lobby. Whether it’s waiting for a taxi, working on a laptop, chatting to friends or being on the phone, this space should be relaxing and welcoming. 

– an emergency gathering point 

When something happens, lobbies become emergency response hubs.

Now that we defined the purposes of modern lobbies, let’s see how hotel lobby digital signage can elevate the guest experience.

How does the lobby digital signage software work?

It’s a network of screens that the hotel deploys around its lobby area. 

The number and size of displays depend on the size of the lobby and your content strategy. This can include: 

• screens next to the entrance doors
• a video wall behind the counter for a wow effect 
• smaller screens in the relaxation zone
• table screens for a more personalized engagement
• wayfinding screens in the hallway, etc. 

All this display technology is enabled by digital signage software. 

Kitcast is among the leaders in cloud-based signage technology for hotels. To create stunning lobby digital signage with our software you will only need: 

• a screen
• an Apple TV device
• Kitcast app installed

Hotels love Kitcast because it’s: 

• easy to deploy 
• comes with cutting-edge digital signage content functionality
• provides smooth and powerful performance
• features tons of customizable templates fit for hospitality digital signage 
• has an intuitive team management system 

Start creating awesome lobby digital signage right now with our free trial.

Top interactive technology applications in the hotel lobby

Interactivity and personalization are among the hottest trends in today’s hospitality. Kitcast allows you to easily deploy the best of the signage technology at your hotel. Here are the most popular uses of screens in the lobby. 

Streamlined check-in process

Use QR codes to make check-in effortless for guests. Screens make the process much quicker and straightforward and enable mobile check-in without the necessity of standing in a queue or spending time waiting at the counter. 

Real-time information

As lobbies are information hubs, digital signage provides guests with everything they need to know. You can show: 

– weather and traffic updates

– events agenda 

– destination highlights

– a showcase of hotel amenities

– opening times of the main landmarks

– hours of operation of on-site restaurant and spa center

– brand’s images and videos

Welcome messages

Memorably greet your guests with the help of digital lobby signage. You can use both images and videos to create a special atmosphere and spread positivity. 

Additional advertising space

If you have partners or work with advertisers, lobby screens give you an additional revenue source. You can combine your native content with the sponsored one. 

Ambience 

Place screens in a relaxation area to create a special atmosphere and emphasize your brand’s ethos.

Social media and feedback   

Make sure guests follow you on social. The screens can show call-to-actions, promote your social media accounts, drive traffic to your website, encourage user-generated content and gather feedback with the help of QR codes.