Hotel guest expectations are changing with the times — and technology. Gone are the days when amenities like fitness centers and free breakfast wowed and wooed hotel guests. Today’s travelers want seamless, personalized experiences where technology often plays a key role, from contactless check-ins and upgrades to meal delivery services and electric vehicle charging. This shift places significant pressure on property managers to continually update their facilities and services.
Hospitality TVs (HTVs), a staple in hotel rooms, often lag behind these growing expectations. In fact, many guests never even turn on older models, preferring to use their own devices and connected streaming services. That reveals a giant gap between what HTVs and hotels offer — and what guests desire.
Fortunately, the next generation of HTVs has arrived and is bringing a bevy of technology to the screen that can engage hotel guests in a more dynamic — and potentially profitable — way. This highlights the value of HTVs in hotels.
How HTVs improve the guest experience
The next generation of HTVs offers numerous benefits to hotel management and guests. These advanced devices are designed to meet contemporary preferences in a number of key ways:
Streaming and casting
Guests today prefer streaming their favorite content via platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, and they expect the same convenience and personalized experience they have at home.
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The next generation of HTVs cater to this by integrating these over-the-top applications directly into their systems, eliminating the need for external devices or complex setups. Many models allow casting, as well, giving guests the opportunity to play from their devices through the HTV and experience the best of both worlds.
Sustainability initiatives
Modern HTVs provide hotels with a powerful way to promote sustainability — an issue that matters to the vast majority of travelers in report after report. This offers hotels many reasons to leverage technology that supports sustainability, including HTVs.
Modern HTVs reduce the number of electronic devices required in each room by consolidating multiple functions into a single unit. This integration not only streamlines the guest experience but also minimizes electronic waste and lowers energy consumption. Energy-efficient designs help cut down on “ghost electricity” usage — energy being consumed by plugged-in but unused devices — contributing to greener hotel operations. Additionally, HTVs can replace traditional signage and printed materials inside guest rooms, significantly reducing paper waste.
Cost savings
From a cost perspective, the next generation of HTVs presents numerous savings opportunities. By offering streaming and casting options, hotels can reduce or even eliminate the need for cable subscriptions in each room. The energy efficiency of these devices also lowers electricity bills, while their integrated nature simplifies maintenance and reduces the frequency and cost of repairs.
Service enhancements
With modern HTVs, guests can personalize their viewing, creating an experience closer to the comfort and convenience they have at home. In this way, HTVs improve the guest experience by integrating various aspects of hospitality technology into a single, user-friendly interface. With fewer devices to manage, the likelihood of technical failures decreases, ensuring that guests are not inconvenienced by faulty equipment and that hotel rooms are less likely to be out of service, ensuring higher occupancy rates and guest satisfaction.
Which HTV is right for your property?
As a leader in HTV technology, Samsung meets the needs of both hotel guests and managers. Samsung HCU700 and Samsung HBU800 HTVs are two prime examples, each offering unique features and capabilities that cater to different expectations in a hotel environment.
The HCU700 Series is engineered to provide a comprehensive and adaptable viewing experience. This makes it best suited for hotels that require flexible integration with existing systems, such as set-top boxes, and cloud-based content management systems. Its robust upscaling and interference-limiting features make it ideal for densely populated properties or multi-room setups. The unit’s ability to manage content and integrate promotions through Smart Hub and LYNK Cloud makes it a good choice for enhancing guest interaction and engagement.
The HBU800 Series offers a higher-end, more personalized entertainment experience, making it ideal for upscale hotels that prioritize delivering a premium entertainment experience and providing guests with the ability to navigate the TV just as they do at home. Its advanced 4K UHD resolution and connection to external speakers in multiple areas of the guest room create an immersive environment. Similar to Samsung HCU700, it provides remote management and analytics, but with enhanced capabilities for delivering customized content and interactive services. The ability to mirror mobile content and provide free streaming services makes the HBU800 a standout choice for tech-savvy guests who value connectivity and personalization.
Installing HTVs now helps hotels meet future expectations
As technology continues to advance, guests can anticipate even more sophisticated and personalized experiences. Investing in next-generation HTVs is a strategic move that positions hotels to better meet evolving guest expectations. Early adoption of these advanced HTVs not only addresses current demands but also future-proofs hotel properties against forthcoming technological trends. This proactive approach ensures that hotels remain competitive and continue to attract tech-savvy travelers.
Additionally, the data and analytics capabilities of modern hospitality TVs provide valuable insights into guest preferences and behavior. This information can guide future investments and service improvements, allowing hotels to tailor their offerings more precisely and enhance guest satisfaction.
The undeniable value of HTVs
HTVs are a cornerstone of modern hospitality technology that drives guest satisfaction and operational efficiency. Updating to state-of-the-art HTVs is a critical step for hotels aiming to stay competitive and deliver exceptional guest experiences. By embracing these advanced devices, hotels can meet contemporary demands for streaming and personalization, promote sustainability, reduce operational costs and improve service quality.
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