Factors Needed for a Great Hotel Room Entertainment System
Choosing the right in-room entertainment system for your hotel can be tricky. You want to create an amazing experience for your guests without breaking the bank. This article will walk you through the key factors to get it right!
What Actually Is A Hotel Room Entertainment System?
Simply put, a hotel room entertainment system delivers extra services and features beyond just the TV.
Systems can range from basic – like simple welcome screens with text/images – to sophisticated systems deeply integrated with your property management software.
The right system enhances the guest experience, improves operations, and can even drive additional revenue. But the wrong system ends up being a waste of money and headaches down the road.
So how do you ensure you get the former instead of the latter?
Key Factor 1 – Simple And Intuitive Interface
This one’s a biggie. If your system is confusing and hard to navigate, you can kiss any chance of happy guests goodbye!
The interface needs to be dead simple:
- Can guests quickly find the local TV channels?
- Is it super easy to cast content from their devices to the TV?
If it takes hunting through complex menus to figure out the basics, expect complaints at the front desk!
The best systems make common tasks seamless. The menus and screens are laid out logically so guests don’t have to think too hard. It just works intuitively.
Don’t settle for anything less – a clear and simple interface is absolutely vital.
Key Factor 2 – Quick And Responsive
Think of using an old, slow smartphone with laggy response times. Remember how frustrating that was?
You don’t want your guests having that experience with their in-room system! Slow load times will have them leaving bad reviews.
The system needs to react instantly when tapped or clicked. Changing screens or loading new pages should happen in the blink of an eye.
Only accept systems proven to deliver a smooth, snappy experience for users. The days of waiting several seconds for pages to change are long gone.
Key Factor 3 – Convenient Content Updating
As a hotelier, you don’t want updating the entertainment content to be a time suck.
Look for a system making it quick and easy to upload new info whenever needed. At a minimum, you should be able to update:
- Welcome messages
- Hotel services/amenities
- Local attractions
- Dining/entertainment options
- And more
Ideally, updating takes place through an intuitive web portal or content management system. Bonus points if it can integrate with your PMS for automatic data syncing.
Either way, convenient content updating is a must-have.
Key Factor 4 – Flexible Design Options
Template-driven systems have their place. But too much rigidity can leave you with a one-size-fits-none solution.
The best systems give designers a “blank canvas” to build truly customized interfaces. You want maximum creative freedom to match your hotel’s specific branding and aesthetic.
This approach allows creating exciting designs that wow your guests rather than bore them.
Prioritize flexible systems enabling you to stand out from cookie-cutter competitors.
Key Factor 5 – Easy Upgrades
Don’t lock yourself into a system that’s hard and expensive to change.
As your needs evolve, you want the ability to upgrade affordably.
The top platforms make this possible through:
- Regular free software updates
- New features added over time
- Scalable hardware that grows with you
Avoid “dead end” systems requiring full replacements whenever you want improvements.
Key Factor 6 – Professional Visual Design
First impressions are huge. An ugly or outdated interface reflects poorly on your brand.
Work with seasoned designers to craft a polished, modern look and feel. When executed well, your entertainment system becomes an extension of your brand rather than an afterthought.
The visuals should amplify your hotel’s identity rather than detract from it.
Key Factor 7 – Price In Line With Needs
Balance. Don’t overspend on unnecessary bells and whistles. But also don’t be so cheap that you get an inadequate system.
Carefully analyze your must-have features, nice-to-haves, and unnecessary fluff. Buy only what’s needed for a great guest experience.
Work with vendors who won’t upsell you on everything under the sun. Optimize value rather than paying for the most expensive system out there.
