The Internet of Things (IoT) is quietly reshaping how hotels, restaurants, and travel services operate. By connecting everyday objects to networks and each other, this technology enables hospitality providers to anticipate needs and streamline operations without visible effort.
From smart rooms that adjust to guest preferences before they even think to ask, to kitchen equipment that monitors its own performance, IoT is erasing friction points throughout the hospitality ecosystem.
These interconnected systems aren't just convenience features, they represent a shift in how the industry serves its guests while driving operational efficiency. In this article, we’ll explore some of the coolest applications of IoT in hospitality and conclude with a case study.
At its core, IoT involves physical objects embedded with sensors, software, and processing capabilities that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over networks.
This interconnected ecosystem enables hospitality providers to anticipate guest needs, streamline operations, and create personalized experiences through continuous data exchange.
The practical applications of IoT in hospitality extend far beyond convenience features. Consider the operational efficiency gained when refrigeration systems continuously monitor temperatures and automatically alert staff to potential issues, eliminating manual hourly checks.
Similar benefits appear across property management, with sensors tracking air quality, room heating, energy consumption, and building maintenance needs in real time.
This constant flow of actionable data allows hospitality businesses to shift from reactive to proactive operations, reducing costs while simultaneously enhancing the guest experience.
From luxury hotels to budget-friendly accommodations, IoT implementations are becoming increasingly accessible and essential rather than mere novelties.
The resulting innovations span the entire hospitality journey, from pre-arrival to post-departure, creating experiences worth talking about. Some of the most noteworthy applications include the following.
IoT-based surveillance and access control have elevated property security while enhancing the guest experience. Smart locks eliminate key cards, allowing guests to use their smartphones for room access, reducing lockout incidents and unauthorized entry attempts.
Facial recognition systems streamline check-in processes while adding an additional security layer. Connected surveillance systems with AI capabilities can identify unusual activities or unauthorized personnel in restricted areas, alerting security staff to potential issues before they escalate.
Real-time monitoring for health and safety compliance has become particularly valuable in recent years. IoT sensors can track air quality, monitor cleaning protocols, and ensure proper functioning of critical systems like fire alarms and sprinklers.
These systems integrate with emergency response protocols, automatically contacting first responders when necessary and providing them with precise information about incident locations and conditions.
The resulting data creates comprehensive safety audits that help properties maintain compliance with evolving regulations while demonstrating their commitment to guest wellbeing.
Smart room customization represents perhaps the most visible IoT implementation for guests.
Modern hotel rooms now feature interconnected systems allowing guests to control lighting, temperature, entertainment options, and even window treatments through voice commands or mobile applications.
These systems remember individual preferences, automatically recreating optimal environments when returning guests check in, creating a powerful sense of personalization that strengthens brand loyalty.
IoT-enabled concierge services have revolutionized guest assistance by providing immediate, on-demand information and services. Voice assistants installed in rooms can answer questions about hotel amenities, local attractions, and make reservations without human intervention.
Mobile applications connected to hotel systems allow guests to request services, schedule activities, or provide feedback in real-time.
These digital touchpoints generate valuable preference data that feeds into analytics platforms, enabling properties to anticipate needs before guests even express them, creating a sense of intuitive service that elevates the overall experience.
Dynamic pricing enabled by IoT data integration has revolutionized revenue management in hospitality.
By analyzing occupancy sensors, booking patterns, local events, and even weather forecasts, properties can adjust rates in real-time to maximize revenue without manual intervention.
These systems identify optimal price points for different room types based on historical performance and current demand indicators, ensuring properties capture maximum value during high-demand periods while remaining competitive during slower seasons.
IoT-driven guest behavior analytics unlock upselling opportunities throughout the guest journey. By tracking which amenities guests use, properties can create targeted offers for additional services likely to appeal to specific guests.
Integration with loyalty programs further enhances this capability, allowing for personalized promotions based on past stay history across multiple properties.
These systems deliver offers at optimal moments through preferred channels, significantly increasing conversion rates for premium services, dining options, and extended stays while strengthening guest relationships through relevant, non-intrusive communications.
Smart energy management systems have transformed how properties control their resource consumption, often reducing energy costs by 20-30% without compromising guest comfort.
IoT sensors continuously monitor occupancy, ambient conditions, and usage patterns to make micro-adjustments to HVAC systems and lighting.
These systems learn over time, becoming increasingly efficient at balancing comfort and conservation while providing valuable sustainability metrics that environmentally-conscious properties can share with guests and stakeholders.
Inventory and supply chain optimization through IoT creates new standards for operational reliability. Smart refrigeration systems monitor food storage conditions and inventory levels, automatically alerting staff to temperature fluctuations or pending shortages.
Automated restocking systems track consumption patterns and trigger orders when supplies reach predetermined thresholds.
Predictive maintenance sensors on critical equipment like elevators, boilers, and kitchen appliances detect subtle changes in performance that might indicate potential failures, allowing maintenance to be scheduled before guests experience disruptions.
Implementing IoT isn’t without its challenges. The upfront investment in devices, infrastructure, and system integration can be substantial. Data privacy and cybersecurity are also major concerns, especially when handling sensitive guest information.
Hotels may face difficulties with device interoperability, as not all IoT platforms are compatible. Staff will need training to effectively use and manage new technologies, and maintaining or scaling the IoT system over time can add further complexity
When the world's leading chip manufacturer, a company with annual revenue of $77 billion, seeks expertise in hospitality technology implementation, where do they turn?
Unexpectedly, for Intel, the answer was the Student Business Project (SBP) network at Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL). This success story explores how this unexpected partnership emerged and the valuable insights it generated for IoT applications in the hospitality sector.
Learn more about the Student Business Project.
"It's amazing to think that the world's leading chip maker turned to an SBP to understand how IoT can be used in hospitality," reflects Ian Millar, SBP coach at EHL. "This is both flattering and indicative of the power of the SBP network."
The connection came through word-of-mouth following a successful project with Yoonik the previous year. Intel recognized that despite their technological prowess, they needed specialized knowledge of hospitality operations to effectively position their IoT solutions in this market.
The EHL Student Business Projects, renowned for their high quality and industry relevance, provided the perfect environment to explore this emerging intersection of technology and hospitality.
The project revealed several critical insights that shaped Intel's hospitality strategy.
Through extensive market research and stakeholder interviews, EHL students identified specific segments and operational areas where IoT technology could deliver maximum value in hospitality environments.
Perhaps most significantly, the project established a clear definition of IoT in hospitality contexts, which is something that had previously been lacking in the industry.
This definition became a cornerstone for Intel's communication strategy, helping bridge the gap between technical capabilities and practical hospitality applications.
IoT technologies offer the most significant value to asset managers and property owners by increasing property values and reducing operational costs.
The technology provides unprecedented clarity on building performance metrics that matter to owners, operators, and managers.
As the SBP team discovered, this focus on the asset management perspective represents a significant shift from traditional hospitality technology discussions that center on guest experience.
IoT implementation helps create transparency in building operations, establishing clear accountability among stakeholders in complex ownership and management structures.
This clarity becomes particularly valuable in properties where owners, asset managers, and operators have distinct roles and potentially competing priorities regarding technology investments.
Implementation challenges vary significantly across accommodation types:
While guest-facing IoT applications receive significant attention, the project identified back-of-house operations as the most immediately viable implementation area.
These applications don't directly impact the guest experience but deliver substantial operational benefits through building monitoring and maintenance optimization.
The research highlighted that many hoteliers remain reluctant to embrace contactless and automated guest-facing technologies, concerned about potentially depersonalizing the hospitality experience.
However, these same properties showed significant interest in IoT applications for engineering and maintenance departments since these implementations enhance operational efficiency without altering the traditional guest experience that many brands have carefully cultivated.
Joe Jensen, VP of Intel's Internet of Things Group and General Manager for Retail, Banking, Hospitality & Education, praised the collaboration: "Intel is committed to empowering the next generation of hospitality leaders and working with our partners to provide the technology and solutions to enhance guest experiences.
Sponsoring an EHL Student Business Project as part of this commitment was something we really value at Intel. The students were knowledgeable, professional, and passionate. Their findings will influence the industry and have helped drive Intel's hospitality strategy for 2021 and beyond."
The project highlights how cross-industry collaborations can accelerate innovation. For Intel, the insights gained directly influenced their product development roadmap and go-to-market strategy for hospitality-focused IoT solutions.
For EHL students, the project provided invaluable experience working with a technology leader to solve real-world industry challenges.
As IoT continues to transform hospitality operations, partnerships that bridge technology development and industry expertise will remain essential to creating solutions that deliver meaningful value to property owners, operators, and ultimately, guests.
For more information, contact: infosbp@ehl.ch
As IoT adoption grows, it empowers hotels and restaurants to deliver unforgettable experiences while boosting profitability.
However, embracing IoT requires navigating challenges like cybersecurity and integration hurdles. By investing in scalable solutions and prioritizing guest trust, hospitality leaders can unlock IoT’s full potential.
The future is bright, with innovations like AI-driven IoT and sustainable practices poised to shape a smarter, guest-centric industry.