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In the era of increasingly connected and demanding guests, hospitality providers need to rethink their infrastructures to deliver personalized services while optimizing operations. The Internet of Things (IoT) emerges as a catalyst for modernization, capable of automating processes, enhancing the guest experience, and reducing operating costs. This article details concrete IoT use cases in hotel settings, outlines a typical IoT solution architecture, compares BLE and Wi-Fi, and offers guidance on choosing between off-the-shelf offerings and custom development with a technical partner.
Concrete IoT Use Cases for Modernizing Hospitality
Connected devices are transforming hotel check-in and management by automating access, personalization, and maintenance. They deliver a new level of service and improved operational visibility.These innovations translate into productivity gains, cost reductions, and increased guest satisfaction.
Mobile Keys and Secure Access
Traditional locks are being replaced by mobile keys sent directly to the guest’s smartphone. This approach eliminates front-desk queues, facilitates late arrivals, and reduces the production of physical cards and the risk of loss.
Centralized access rights management via an IoT platform allows instant updates to authorizations in case of room changes or cancellations.
Entry traceability also meets the security requirements of hotel operators.
For example, a mid-sized Swiss hotel group deployed a Bluetooth Low Energy–based smart lock system. This installation reduced average check-in time from 5 to 2 minutes and demonstrated that an IoT solution improves process reliability while lowering staff interventions.
Personalizing the Guest Experience
Rooms become intelligent environments that adjust lighting, temperature, and soundscapes to the guest’s saved preferences. IoT synchronizes these settings as soon as the door is unlocked.
Presence sensors distinguish between “occupied” and “vacant” states, automatically activating energy-saving modes without compromising comfort. Connected TVs, streaming services, and mini-bars complete the offering.
Through a centralized interface, staff can program predefined scenarios for special events such as birthdays or conferences, reinforcing brand image and satisfaction.
Operational Control and Predictive Maintenance
Air quality, humidity, and temperature sensors detect deviations and send alerts before guests experience discomfort. Technical teams can intervene proactively, preventing complaints.
Water leak sensors ensure immediate detection of leaks in bathrooms, minimizing property damage and operational downtime. These alerts contribute to building sustainability.
Predictive maintenance of equipment (HVAC, elevators, laundry) relies on analyzing vibration and energy consumption data. It anticipates breakdowns, optimizes intervention schedules, and reduces repair costs.
Typical Architecture of a Hotel IoT Infrastructure
A coherent IoT solution is structured around four layers: perception, transport, processing, and application. Each layer must be modular and secure.Combining open-source components with custom development ensures scalability, performance, and avoidance of vendor lock-in.
Perception Layer: Sensors and Connected Devices
IoT endpoints (motion sensors, temperature sensors, locks) form the first data collection barrier. They should be selected based on measurement criticality and the installation context (indoor, outdoor, humid areas).
Using certified open-source modules lowers costs and provides control over updates. This approach offers the flexibility to add, modify, or remove sensors without major restructuring.
Hardware identity management and mutual authentication between devices and gateways ensure security at the network edge, preserving the confidentiality and integrity of collected data.
Transport Layer: Networks and Protocols
Depending on range and power consumption, data is transmitted via BLE, Wi-Fi, LoRaWAN, or wired networks. Each protocol offers trade-offs in bandwidth, latency, cost, and coverage.
IoT gateways aggregate these streams and perform preprocessing tasks like eliminating duplicate data or normalizing formats. This step reduces the volume sent to the core network and supports scalability.
Data flow orchestration relies on MQTT brokers or open-source data buses, ensuring resilient and reliable communications. Retry mechanisms and TLS encryption are essential.
Processing and Application Layer: Cloud and PMS Integration
The cloud (or on-premise) platforms host real-time analytics engines and databases. A serverless or container-based architecture allows resource scaling based on seasonality and activity peaks.
Integration with the Property Management System (PMS) synchronizes reservation, billing, and inventory data. This interoperability ensures a seamless experience and automates ancillary service billing.
Open, well-documented APIs facilitate the addition of new features (chatbots, voice assistants, advanced analytics) without disrupting the existing ecosystem.
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Communication Technology Comparison: BLE vs. Wi-Fi
The choice between Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi depends on balancing power consumption, range, bandwidth, and infrastructure costs. Each protocol addresses distinct needs.A hybrid approach combines the strengths of both technologies to ensure coverage, reliability, and long-term cost control.
BLE for Fine-Grained Management and Low Power Consumption
BLE excels in low-throughput, long-battery-life scenarios such as mobile locks and presence sensors. Its reduced consumption avoids frequent battery replacements.
Its limited radio footprint minimizes interference with other equipment. BLE also enables precise object and person location, paving the way for indoor guidance services.
For instance, a mid-sized hotel deployed a BLE beacon network to monitor meeting room occupancy. This solution achieved a 20% reduction in energy waste by automatically adjusting lighting and climate control based on actual presence.
Wi-Fi for Bandwidth and Extended Coverage
Wi-Fi remains essential for video streaming, supporting high-bandwidth services and connecting data-intensive devices. Its coverage can extend across the entire property.
Professional access points offer centralized management, secure access controls, and quality of service (QoS) features to prioritize critical uses.
An existing Wi-Fi network reduces infrastructure costs, but its higher power consumption and radio footprint must be considered in the overall architecture.
Hybrid Choice Based on Use Cases
In a hotel IoT ecosystem, it’s common to combine BLE for sensors and locks with Wi-Fi for high-bandwidth services. Gateways adapt protocols based on requirements.
Optimizing radio channels and implementing segmented networks (VLANs) ensure coexistence without interference and enhance security through traffic isolation.
This modular approach, supported by open-source solutions, allows progressive coverage expansion and the addition of new services without disproportionate costs.
Strategies for Deploying an IoT Solution: Off-the-Shelf vs. Custom
Turnkey platforms save time but may limit customization and create vendor lock-in. A custom solution, developed with a technical partner, ensures flexibility and business alignment.Each project should be defined by its objectives, budget, and digital maturity level to maximize ROI and infrastructure longevity.
Off-the-Shelf Solutions: Pros and Cons
Turnkey platforms provide preconfigured modules (access control, HVAC management, analytics) and ready-to-use dashboards. They reduce time-to-market and simplify deployment.
However, their closed architectures may limit integration with third-party systems and incur recurring license fees. Updates depend on the vendor and can introduce vendor lock-in risks.
These solutions suit properties looking to quickly pilot IoT before considering broader or more advanced deployments.
Custom Infrastructure with a Technical Partner
A bespoke approach begins with a needs assessment and the definition of an evolution roadmap. An integrator’s expertise ensures the selection of open-source technologies, security, and modularity.
Developing dedicated APIs and orchestrating microservices guarantee full interoperability with the PMS, ERP, and CRM tools while controlling license costs.
A boutique hotel collaborated with Edana to build a custom IoT platform. The project demonstrated that an ecosystem built around open-source components and microservices adapts to evolving needs without significant extra costs.
Governance and Skill Development
An IoT project’s success relies on clear governance involving IT, business leaders, and the provider. Regular committees validate platform evolution and prioritize developments.
Upskilling internal teams on chosen technologies (protocols, security, APIs) ensures autonomy and infrastructure sustainability.
Optimizing Hospitality through IoT
Implementing an IoT infrastructure transforms guest relations, enhances operational efficiency, and provides real-time visibility into asset performance. Concrete use cases show that IoT reduces costs, increases satisfaction, and promotes building sustainability.
A modular architecture based on open-source building blocks and microservices ensures flexibility and supplier independence. The choice between off-the-shelf and custom development should be guided by a thorough audit and a tailored roadmap.
To define the most relevant and secure IoT strategy, our Edana experts are here to support you from audit to integration, including training and governance.
