Imagine walking into a hotel lobby and bypassing the front desk check-in line. Ordering room service is as easy as browsing the menu and placing your order from the comfort of your bed—no phone call needed. And when it’s time to unwind, booking a spa treatment takes just a few taps on your phone.
Quick Response (QR) Codes are transforming the hospitality industry by making these processes faster, easier, and more efficient. They reduce wait times, minimize physical interactions, and create a seamless experience for both guests and hotel staff.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 practical ways hotels can use smart hotel technology, like QR Codes, to elevate the guest journey and streamline hotel operations.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
Why hotels should use QR Codes
A study by Oracle found that 73% of travelers want hotels to offer contactless technologies for services like check-in and check-out. No one likes standing in long lines, and with Quick Response Codes, hotels can significantly cut down on wait times while improving operational efficiency.
These 2D barcodes streamline interactions by reducing physical touchpoints, offering hotel guests a faster and safer way to access services. For instance, a simple QR Code can replace bulky restaurant menus, outdated brochures, or paper forms, instantly connecting guests to the information they seek.
These codes make it easy for patrons to book spa appointments, access a hotel’s Wi-Fi credentials, or leave reviews—all via linked pages with a simple smartphone scan. Plus, QR Codes are easy to update in real time, so there’s no need to worry about outdated details floating around.
By using QR Codes, hotels can offer a hassle-free way for customers to book their stay and avoid hotel reservation problems typical of traditional reservation methods. Bitly simplifies the process by making it easy to create, customize, and manage QR Codes for a variety of purposes.
With Bitly Analytics, hotels can track scan rates and customer engagement, helping them continuously improve their services. Monitoring which QR Codes are scanned most often can reveal which services, promotions, or experiences are most popular so hotels can adjust offerings to better meet guest needs.
10 essential ways to use QR Codes in hotels
During a guest’s hotel stay, there are numerous touchpoints where QR Codes can elevate their experience. You want your guests to feel cared for, and implementing this tech makes it easier than ever.
Below are 10 essential ways hotels can utilize QR Codes to enhance the guest experience and streamline operations:
1. Contactless check-in and check-out
Say goodbye to long lines and tedious check-in processes. With QR Codes, guests can link directly to online check-in forms, skipping the front desk and heading straight to their room—saving time and kicking off their stay on the right foot.
Upon arrival, guests simply scan a QR Code to complete their check-in on your linked portal, uploading any necessary documents like identification or payment info. When it’s time to check out, they scan another code to access your hotel’s billing system and settle their bill—no need to visit the front desk.
Contactless service in hotels through QR Codes reduces physical interactions and provides a safer, simpler experience for guests.
2. Digital room service menus
Who wants to flip through a bulky room service menu when you can simply scan a QR Code and have the latest menu at your fingertips? This modern approach helps improve the guest experience in hotels, especially for those with dietary restrictions or allergies, as they can make notes on the order web page for the kitchen staff to see.
Some hotels even allow guests to pre-order meals. QR Codes on bedside tables let them place orders for breakfast in advance, ensuring delivery at their preferred time. This way, they can start their day without delay or inconvenience.
These digital menus can feature HD images of dishes, descriptions, and prices, making it easier for guests to choose their meals.
3. Booking spa and wellness services
A relaxing spa treatment or wellness class can greatly enhance a guest’s stay. In 2022, there were 182 million visits to spas in the U.S. alone, and QR Codes offer an easy way for hoteliers to connect guests with these services.
Pampering guests has never been easier. By linking to booking portals, QR Codes allow guests to schedule their preferred treatments or classes and view details like duration, price, and availability. Hotels can also use QR Codes to promote special offers or packages at their spa and wellness facilities, encouraging visitors to take advantage of these services during their stay.
4. In-room entertainment
Nothing beats relaxing in your hotel room with easy access to your favorite entertainment. QR Codes can link to streaming service login pages like Netflix or Hulu, eliminating the need to flip through channels. It’s relaxation made effortless!
Hotels can also link to their mobile app, offering personalized recommendations for local attractions, restaurants, and events based on guest interests. According to Bond, 48% of guests are more likely to return to a hotel that provides personalized experiences.
QR Codes can even streamline access to hotel amenities by linking directly to platforms where guests can request room service, concierge assistance, or housekeeping, making their stay even more convenient.
5. Event or conference information
Smart hotel technology isn’t just for guest rooms—it’s also transforming event and conference spaces. With QR Codes on brochures or signage, guests can quickly access event schedules, speaker bios, and floor plans.
For conferences, this is a game-changer. Attendees no longer need to worry about carrying physical copies of the program or scrambling for last-minute details. QR Codes also make it easy to collect real-time feedback from attendees, helping to improve future events and ensuring guests feel heard and valued.
6. Promoting local attractions
You can offer customers an amazing stay, but what really makes their visit unforgettable is everything they experience outside the hotel. QR Codes offer a simple way to connect your clientele with nearby local attractions, restaurants, tours, and activities.
For example, at the concierge desk, guests can scan a QR Code to discover everything from well-known local hotspots to hidden gems, all recommended by your staff. They can also make reservations and buy tickets directly from their phones, making it all the more convenient for both of you.
Plus, QR Codes can link to promotional materials, ensuring customers have access to special offers or discounts at local businesses, further enhancing their stay.
7. Enhancing loyalty program sign-ups
Hospitality businesses heavily rely on loyalty programs to retain and attract guests, and QR Codes streamline the sign-up process. With a quick scan, guests can be directed to a registration page where they can share information and start earning rewards right away.
But why stop there? Hotels can offer incentives such as a discount or free room upgrades for those who sign up through the QR Code link. For example, a code at the check-in desk could provide 10% off their stay if they sign up for the loyalty program on the spot.
At Bitly, we offer customizable QR Codes that can easily link to your existing loyalty program registration page. While sign-ups are managed through a third-party tool, Bitly Codes ensures a smooth, branded experience for guests. With Dynamic QR Codes, you can track scan rates and engagement, allowing you to monitor performance and fine-tune your marketing strategy for maximum success.
Get started with Bitly for hospitality today and transform the guest experience with QR Codes.
8. Instant feedback collection
Guests love knowing their opinions matter. Place QR Codes in common areas or guest rooms to give them a quick and easy way to share feedback in real time—whether it’s positive or constructive. This gives you the opportunity to address any concerns immediately, ensuring their satisfaction and making their stay even better.
Instant feedback helps hotels gather valuable insights and make quick adjustments instead of waiting for reviews to trickle in. Plus, positive reviews can attract potential customers and boost your hotel’s reputation.
It’s not just about functionality—design matters too. QR Codes that are visually appealing and easy to find are more likely to garner real-time feedback. Ensure your codes align with your hotel’s branding and aesthetic to create a cohesive and professional look that encourages guest engagement.
9. Room guides and instructions
When guests enter their rooms, they often have to navigate new technology or unfamiliar setups, like smart thermostats or lighting controls. QR Codes can provide digital room guides that guests can easily access on their mobile devices.
A QR Code next to the thermostat might lead guests to a landing page with an instructional video on adjusting the temperature or setting a schedule. One near the bedside lamp could provide PDF instructions on how to control the lighting through the hotel’s app.
These resources reduce the reliance on front desk support or printed materials, which can quickly become outdated or clutter a room. Guests can reference digital guides anytime without having to seek out a physical booklet.
10. Emergency information access
Emergencies can happen at any time, and having clear, accessible safety information is crucial. QR Codes placed in high-visibility areas—like bedside tables or lobby spaces—can link directly to important contact numbers, evacuation maps, or safety procedures—ensuring guests feel safe and prepared at all times.
In an emergency, visitors can quickly scan a QR Code to access the information they need, without hunting down printed materials. Plus, QR Codes allow hotels to update the linked information in real time, ensuring that guests always have the most current details.
Improve guest experiences effortlessly with QR Codes for hotels
QR Codes are revolutionizing the hospitality industry by modernizing everyday processes and improving efficiency for both guests and staff. From contactless check-ins to interactive in-room services, QR Codes elevate customer experiences while streamlining hotel operations. They reduce wait times, minimize physical interactions, and provide guests with on-demand access to personalized services, making each stay more enjoyable and memorable.
The Bitly Connections Platform makes it simple to create, manage, and track customizable QR Codes tailored to your hotel’s needs. With robust analytics and engagement tracking, you can measure campaign effectiveness and gain valuable insights into what your guests care most about. Seamless third-party integrations further empower you to optimize the customer journey.
Start using Bitly today and harness the full potential of QR Codes to transform your hotel’s operations and guest experiences.
