How do you bring in more business to your hotel? Offer specials on room rates? Add valet parking services? Advertise local discounts for holidays? Wi-Fi can actually be the answer! Wi-Fi networks and connectivity can be one of the most attractive amenities to offer at your property.
Keep reading to learn more about hospitality Wi-Fi, how it works and how to install a network at your hotel.
Hospitality Wi-Fi is a way for you as a property owner or general manager to enhance the offerings at your hotel and for your guests. Connectivity is increasingly important in a word with so many Wi-Fi-enabled devices. From virtual assistants to Wi-Fi-connected TVs, if your rooms offer a multitude of devices with connectivity needs, Wi-Fi is an essential. Having Wi-Fi at your hotel is a simple but effective way to give your guests the convenience of connectivity while adding value to your property.
One of the key differences between the Wi-Fi you use at home and the Wi-Fi you use at a hotel is its usability. Even if your household has multiple streaming devices connected to the internet at the same time, a home Wi-Fi network is meant to support the needs of fewer people than a network at a hotel.
At home, you might just have one modem and one router to provide coverage for your entire home. That local area network connects you to the internet, but you’re most likely getting your internet from a service provider (ISP). If you live in an apartment building or other multi-dwelling unit, you may share a network with your neighbors if your landlord provides Wi-Fi for you. In the case of multi-dwelling unit Wi-Fi, you still have your own local network for your devices separate from your neighbor’s.
A hotel or any multi-dwelling unit with Wi-Fi will need a network that can support the needs of hundreds or potentially thousands of people. This is especially true if your property hosts conventions or other public events. If you have a large resort that needs to support a multitude of staff and guests, you want a network that provides coverage throughout your entire property. Each building should have the same high-speed, secure coverage.
A wireless network relies on both software and equipment in order to work properly. With a large property, you may need to think where the access points will be for guests who’d like to connect to the internet. Here are a few terms you should know to understand the different parts of a wireless network.
A wireless access point (WAP) is a place where an end-user can access the wireless network, such as a router. It acts as a point where the user can join the local area network.
Wall mounts or enclosures can house cabling and a WAP. The enclosure will also have a switch. You may find these in communication closets in buildings with Wi-Fi.
Backbone cabling is a network of cables that run throughout your property. These cables are the main foundation for your network, hence the name “backbone” cabling. Backbone cabling is part of a structured cabling system.
A local area network (LAN) can link all of a guest’s devices across a property like your hotel. A virtual local area network (VLAN) can make sure each guest has privacy and security for their individual devices.
Switches and panels are two pieces of networking equipment that are required for your Wi-Fi network to function. Switches and panels are connected by cables in a server room or data center.
Specialized software can help you or an IT team ensure the network is running at peak efficiency and can send alerts if something goes wrong.
So, what’s the difference in all this between a wireless connection and a wired one? Like the name of “wired connection” implies, you need a wire in order to connect to the internet. An ethernet cable is usually that wire.
In a wireless situation, your guests only need to connect through the access point — no wires necessary. Your guests can access the internet on your property, whether they’re in their rooms or in the lobby.
With a wireless network installed, your guests are free to use their devices as much as they want to browse the internet, stream movies and more! Additionally, you can add Wi-Fi-enabled tech to your rooms like smart appliances, smart home thermostats and RFID locks to enhance their experience even more. Imagine the convenience and luxury you’ll be able to offer your guests when they stay with you!
But it gets even better. As the property owner, you’ll be able to offer your guests a more inclusive list of amenities, like:
Wi-Fi can go beyond checking your email at the pool or booking your next vacation before you return home. A robust infrastructure can support your guests and open up potential opportunities to generate more revenue. Offer your guests the perfect place to relax, work or connect, all with one investment you make into your network!
Offering Wi-Fi at your hotel doesn’t just mean your guests can check their email. A secure wireless network can be a selling point if you’re looking to bring in more guests for conventions and local events, as well as leisure or business travel. In fact, guests have listed Wi-Fi as the most requested and wanted hotel amenity for years!
Here are some main benefits you can only get with hospitality Wi-Fi.
No one likes a slow internet connection or the dreaded buffering icon. But unfortunately, a network that can’t support your needs will often lead to spotty coverage, poor connectivity or even increased downtime. And if your guests have a poor experience, it can easily spread like wildfire online, which can be a major risk for future business.
When you set up a network at your hotel or upgrade your old network, your guests will be able to browse the internet with ease. Your staff will also be able to work on their own local network without worrying about downtime. And with managed services providers, you’ll rest easy knowing there’s a proactive IT team monitoring your network and taking care of small issues before they snowball into major problems.
With Wi-Fi becoming a common free amenity at airports, bookstores and coffee shops, it’s natural to offer it at your hotel as well. But not all internet connections are equal, or fast. A spotty connection with poor download speed can really cost you.
If your hotel’s current network is slow, drops coverage or goes down often enough, you might risk negative reviews from guests. As well all know, word spreads quickly and reviews are especially critical in hospitality. But if your hotel or resort has the fastest, most reliable Wi-Fi network, guests will be more inclined to book a stay with you over similarly priced local competitors.
Data security is important whenever you browse the internet, but having a secure Wi-Fi connection is especially important when you’re traveling. You want to keep your guests and their data secure, so you need to have a network with the right security measures in place.
Having a managed services team to maintain that network can help make sure any new security updates go through to your network to help protect it. Your guests can shop, watch videos and more without worrying about their personal information.
With the rise of Wi-Fi-enabled TVs, setting up a wireless network at your hotel means you can add streaming services to your hotel’s list of amenities. Apple TVs and other smart devices can use the wireless network to connect to the internet, so you can offer premium streaming services to your guests.
In addition to TVs, installing a Wi-Fi network means your business traveler guests can work remotely and stay in touch with their colleagues at your property instead of a local coffee shop. And if your hotel hosts conventions, guests will be able to connect over your network to support any of their technical needs. Wi-Fi can be what makes a guest stay at your hotel over the competition down the street!
Besides offering your guests complimentary wireless access, your network can also be the foundation for future growth. Wi-Fi-enabled household appliances, electronics and even utilities have become more common in recent years, and you can bring these same pieces of technology to your hotel to create more attractive offerings. Imagine your guests being able to control the temperature of their room from their phone because they have a smart thermostat!
In addition to these new amenities, a high-speed, reliable wireless network can support you if you bring on more staff to your hotel, or new technologies. Hospitality POS systems, card readers, RFID locks and more can all require a dedicated local network to work at maximum efficiency. For example, if you’re still using a dedicated landline for your POS system and you upgrade to new equipment, it’s much easier to get your new hardware up and running if you know your network can support it.
When you install a wireless network, both your guests and staff can enjoy a high-speed connection that meets all of their needs. But beyond a speedy connection, there are other benefits for you, your staff and your guests you might not have thought of.
Everyone loves getting what they want. Streaming platforms, video calling and other modern conveniences require a reliable internet connection. Giving your guests this one small amenity can help turn them into lifelong customers.
A better network means you have more bandwidth at your disposal. With all the tools your hotel may be using, like a point-of-sale system (POS) or live-booking platform, you need a network that can support it all.
Expanding your network can mean expanding your revenue opportunities. Tiered internet packages for guests or even convention bookings can be one more premium amenity for your business.
Better coverage, security and faster download speeds also help your hotel’s staff, too. With a robust network infrastructure, you don’t have to worry about your network going down and causing havoc for the front desk.
We don’t know what the technology of tomorrow will look like. But having the infrastructure in place to support new conveniences and tools will help future-proof your network.
When you upgrade to a new network, you’ll have full coverage across your entire hotel with minimized interference.
Still have questions about hospitality Wi-Fi? Installation may seem long but it’s actually a precise and detailed process to make sure you get the best possible connection at your hotel.
The time it takes to install and deploy your new network can depend on the size of your property, the kind of equipment that needs to be moved in and sometimes the geography or terrain where your hotel is located.
Cost for a new network installation will depend on the size of your property, your needs and how much labor will go into the installation process. All network installations should include at least a site survey, network design and physical installation. You can always do your research and shop around with different providers.
Yes, you can create an online portal for guests once you have your Wi-Fi network installed. You can either work with your provider to find a solution that works or see if one already exists online to help you build your portal.
Yes, and if you don’t have an in-house team, hiring a team may be a much more convenient option for you. Managed services teams can proactively monitor your network for security updates and perform basic maintenance remotely.
The misconception that public Wi-Fi is unsafe to use is common, but you as the hotel owner or manager can secure your network with the right firewalls to proactively monitor your network for potential threats.
The equipment that will need to be installed as part of the new Wi-Fi network can involve switches, patch panels and new cabling. New access points may also need to be installed throughout the premises as well. A professional services provider can tell you exactly what equipment is needed for your property.
It’s possible that the physical installation could take a day and disrupt normal business operations. However, every situation is different, so you may not need to close your hotel for the day while the new equipment and cabling is installed.
Yes! Your network’s coverage should be comprehensive no matter where they are in your building. Guests will have access to the internet whether they’re in their room or out in the hotel lobby.
You can still use your POS system with your new Wi-Fi network, along with any other hardware that uses Wi-Fi, like a credit-card reader. Ask your IT services provider about your options.
Once you’ve decided to invest in your new network, the next step is signing on with an IT services provider or data cabling company to install the network. This process can take some time, depending on the size of your property. Every hotel is different, so the installation process will be tailored to your unique needs.
Now that you know how Wi-Fi works for hospitality, you might want to know what the installation process entails. Generally speaking, there are four primary steps in the process. Once these steps are complete and your network is up and running, you and your guests can enjoy a secure, high-speed internet connection.
Here are the main steps of installation:
Before you can install a wireless network at any location, your service provider will conduct a site survey. The site survey will help your service provider determine the best design for your network. This, in turn, makes sure all major areas in your hotel have complete coverage.
Once the site survey is complete, the service provider will be able to start designing the layout of the new network. Wireless access points may need to be installed to ensure optimal coverage across the floors and areas of your hotel. Backbone cabling may also need to be laid throughout the property, especially if you’re looking to upgrade to fiber optic cable.
Other pieces of equipment like server cabinets, enclosures, switches and racks may also need to be accounted for during this process.
When it comes to a new network or upgrading an old one, physical installation may mean removing old cabling and replacing it with new ones. This is especially true if you’re upgrading to fiber optic cables. A team may need to work on-premises to both safely remove old wiring and install any new access points and equipment, including laying cabling.
After the new equipment is in place, the team will test the Wi-Fi network to make sure everything is in tip-top shape for you and your guests. Once the test is complete and the network is performing as it should, the team can move on to monitoring and managing it remotely.
Long-term management and maintenance of your hotel’s Wi-Fi network will keep it running efficiently for you, your staff and guests alike. There are two approaches you can take for maintenance: doing it in-house with your own team, or hiring a managed services team.
The benefit of using professional managed services is that the team can work remotely to manage your network if you don’t have an IT team of your own. These managed services teams can do basic maintenance on your network and apply updates or patches as needed. And should you ever have a serious problem with your hotel’s Wi-Fi network, that same team will work to get you up and running again.
The biggest benefit of using a remote managed services team is that you don’t have to hire a team of full-time, on-site IT experts for your network. Some companies can offer a flat retainer or a tiered package system, depending on your needs. This can mean significant savings for you as a business owner. So even if they’re not on-site, at the end of the day, you’ll still have a team managing your network for you.
Whether you run an all-inclusive resort or a boutique hotel, it’s important to work with a service provider that understands your needs. When it comes to your new network, you want an IT service provider that can design a layout that will work for your current and future needs. Remote services management and IT consulting services can be important services you may also need for your network, so you want an experienced vendor that can do it all.
As with any investment for your business, you want to work with a service provider with experience. Seasoned data cabling or IT service providers can work with you to create a custom design for your hotel that provides ample coverage and high-speed connections.
It’s important that your potential vendor be able to work with you if you have any special circumstances or needs. For instance, setting up a separate local network for POS devices and other hardware may require some extra thought in the design phase of the installation.
Once your network is installed and deployed, having a team that can manage your new network will help you stay ahead of potential problems. Downtime can create problems beyond the front desk, and the last thing you want is a guest having a poor experience.
Obviously, every situation is different. There are some IT service providers that may specialize in resorts that need Wi-Fi over several buildings and facilities, while some may have expertise in remote areas with challenging terrain. Wherever your hotel is located and whatever your particular situation may be, it’s important that you work with a reputable and trusted IT services provider.
A wireless hotel network can really open up new doors for your property and expand your amenities for guests. When you install a hospitality Wi-Fi network, you’re not just getting a better internet connection. With the potential to bring in more guests and expand your amenities, adding a hotel Wi-Fi network can be a gamechanger for your hospitality business.