As a hotelier, your biggest concern is ensuring a great guest experience to attract new business and encourage repeat stays. Providing excellent customer service and five-star amenities is essential, as is creating the right atmosphere. People experience things with all of their senses, so ambiance matters. An overwhelming scent or off-putting lighting can tarnish a guest’s experience with your property. And the same goes for music. The right soundtrack can influence a person’s mood and behavior, so it pays to put thought into the music choices at your hotel.
While you should aim for music that reflects your property’s vibe, that doesn’t mean you should play the same playlist throughout your hotel. Context is important. What’s appropriate in the lobby may not be the best choice for the bar or gym. Here are a few tips for choosing the right music for each space in your hotel.
In the Lobby
Since this space is often your guests’ first experience of your property, the music in the lobby should reflect your brand identity. For example, classical or instrumental music might work best for a luxury, high-end property, while cool and trendy establishments may go with classic rock or indie songs. Consider your guest demographics, too—if you attract families with children, current pop tracks will most likely be familiar and entertaining to the youngest travelers. Business travelers may appreciate a modern sound that keeps them focused and motivated. If possible, incorporate local artists to celebrate your community.
Consider how you want guests to feel when they arrive. They will most likely be weary and ready to settle in, so calming music and slower song choices will help relax and soothe them—and can make wait times feel shorter.
In the Restaurant / Bar
The restaurant and bar atmosphere changes throughout the day, so your music should change, too. Create a few different playlists to match the varying needs of your space. For example, keep the music upbeat and softly playing in the background during breakfast and lunch to create a cozy, conversational atmosphere. An energetic, louder playlist can liven up happy hour, dinner time, and evening hangouts.
As mentioned, music can influence mood, behavior, and subjective perception of time. If you want to encourage patrons to linger, a slower tempo will encourage them to settle in, take their time, and spend more on drinks. Fast tracks will motivate guests to make decisions and act quickly for high turnover.
In the Gym
Music in the gym should motivate, inspire, and energize your guests to challenge themselves, but it should not be so loud and upbeat that it intimidates or stresses them out. A fast tempo and good beat (think electronic and pop music) are good choices for this space. And don’t forget: most guests will use headphones to listen to their own workout playlists, so keep your background music to an appropriate volume that won’t disrupt them when they’re in the zone.
In the Spa
Of course, your spa is where guests escape from the stresses of the outside world to rest, relax, and recharge. So, New-Age music, instrumental, classical, low-key jazz, and soft nature sounds are the way to go to help your spa visitors have the best experience possible. It’s important to keep your spa playlist consistent so guests aren’t distracted by a song that sticks out from the rest of the track.
By the Pool
While some guests may use the pool to relax and cool down, the pool is also for having fun—especially for the kids! Upbeat, chill tracks are the way to go for this area to encourage a positive, fun atmosphere for all ages.
In the Guest Rooms
Your guests should be entirely responsible for the music in their guest rooms. Therefore, providing a Bluetooth speaker they can connect to using their phone or other device is best. Another option is to provide a branded music channel on guestroom TVs.
Boost Staff Morale
Music is great for your guests, but make sure it’s good for your staff, too! They’re the ones who have to listen to your hotel music 24/7, so remember to regularly change up your playlists every once in a while to boost morale, productivity, and positivity.
Streaming for Businesses
Now that you know what music you want to play in your hotel, it’s important to know how to stream it. Digital music platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music are only licensed for home and personal use.
B2B music streaming and curating services like Soundsuit and Ambie provide a convenient and lawful solution for hospitality businesses. B2B platforms license music globally and allow you to manage playlists for each area of your property through a single dashboard. Chain hotels can harmonize playlists across their locations, contributing to a consistent brand experience. Additionally, B2B streaming platforms provide invaluable data, such as what songs were played when the hotel bar had its best night or hotel staff had the highest productivity levels.
Music is powerful; it can influence our mood and behavior. That’s why hoteliers should harness it to inspire customers’ purchasing decisions and perception of their guest experience. Make music work for every part of your hotel to drive revenue and guest loyalty.
Editor’s note: This post was last updated in August 2024.
