20.05.2025
Why Hotel Guests Prefer Digital: The Power of In-Room Tablets
Guests don’t want to call the front desk — they want to tap, swipe, and book in seconds. Discover how in-room tablets are redefining hospitality: smoother service, more revenue, and zero friction.
We live in a world where convenience is no longer a luxury but an expectation.
Your guests arrive at your hotel with a smartphone in one hand, possibly a smartwatch on the other, and a subconscious belief that everything should “just work.”
Therefore, the question isn’t whether guests can do things online; the real question is: why should they want to?
At Hoteza, we’ve spent years developing digital guest engagement platforms tailored for the modern hotel. But let’s look beyond the technology. Let’s discuss the reasoning. Why does digitizing the in-room experience matter? Why should we place a tablet in the room at all?
Here’s what we’ve learned.
1. It’s Not About Technology, It’s About Autonomy
When guests enter their room and discover a sleek tablet waiting for them, it’s more than just a device.
It represents freedom…
• Freedom from language barriers.
• Freedom from waiting in line at reception.
• Freedom from navigating the phone system to call room service.
Digital experiences empower guests by enhancing service rather than replacing it. Would you like breakfast at 8:15 instead of a preset time slot? Tap.
Craving extra towels without calling housekeeping? Tap.
Want to see what’s available at the spa without flipping through a worn-out binder? Swipe.
In-room tablets provide a private concierge experience that aligns with the guest’s rhythm, not the hotel’s.
2. Guests Don’t Want to Talk — They Want to Decide
It’s easy to romanticize hospitality as warm, personal, face-to-face service. And yes, there’s still a place for that. However, the truth is that many modern travelers, especially younger ones, prefer not to pick up the phone or approach the front desk unless necessary.
Online ordering, booking, and communication tools empower guests to make decisions quietly, quickly, and confidently. It’s about reducing friction.
Imagine ordering room service without worrying if the staff understands your accent. Imagine booking a late checkout at 2 a.m. without disturbing anyone. That’s the power of digital — it removes awkwardness from luxury.
3. The Tablet Is More Than a Menu — It’s a Marketplace
Consider this: an in-room tablet is the only marketing channel in the hotel that is guaranteed to reach every guest in a private, distraction-free environment.
No pop-ups, no noise, no competition for attention.
• Want to upsell spa treatments? Show them with visuals, prices, and available time slots — not just a brochure.
• Looking to promote the chef’s special? Make it available for one-click ordering.
• Need to offer early check-in or airport transfers? Let them book directly without leaving their bed.
When the interface is intuitive and visually appealing, the tablet transforms from a simple utility into a storefront. One that operates 24/7 in every room.
4. Sustainability Is No Longer Optional
Plastic-wrapped guest directories, printed menus, and paper spa brochures are quickly becoming artifacts of the past.
Today’s guests, millennials and Gen Z, are increasingly concerned about sustainability. They notice waste and value brands that align with their principles.
A digital in-room solution enables hotels to eliminate printed materials nearly entirely. It’s cleaner, more eco-friendly, and infinitely more adaptable. Would you like to update pricing, add a new cocktail to the bar menu, or switch languages? It can all be done in seconds with no printing and no waste.
It’s better for the planet and improves operational efficiency.
5. It Feels Effortless — When Done Right
Let’s be honest: Lousy tech is worse than no tech. The guest doesn’t care what platform you’re using behind the scenes; what they do care about is this:
• Does it work the first time?
• Is it fast?
• Is it obvious what to do?
The magic of a great digital experience is that the guest barely notices it. It simply feels easy, natural, and almost invisible.
At Hoteza, we obsess over that feeling because when tech “disappears,” service can shine.
So... Why Should Guests Do Everything Online?
Because it’s not just about going digital for its own sake, it’s about meeting guests where they are — in 2025, not 1995. It’s about removing friction, reducing awkwardness, increasing satisfaction, and creating new revenue streams. All while staying in tune with a world that moves faster every day.
A tablet in the room isn’t a gimmick; it’s a silent partner delivering a smoother, more brilliant, and more personalized stay.