The revolution will not be televised: Inside the hotels removing TVs from their rooms

Most of us would agree that finding TVs in hotel rooms in 2023 is a pretty safe bet. Whether it’s a 1 star motel, Five star resorta flat screen is almost guaranteed.

But are things changing?with the rise of streaming service With more and more mobile devices allowing users to watch what they want, wherever they want, will living room staples remain as essential for travelers as they once were?

Hotels and resorts are moving away from massive screen time

Many hoteliers, including Samir Hammam, owner of Wadi Sabara Lodge in Marsa Alam, Egypt, question the relevance of television in an increasingly technological age.

“We designed this hotel to let you escape from the familiar world and enjoy the eastern desert and the Red Sea as much as possible,” he explains. “Your ‘TV’ here is the view of the ocean and landscape from the balcony and restaurant. Why would you need to fly to Egypt to do what you do at home? “

He’s not the only one who thinks so. Located on Lake Como, all suites at Villa Làrio offer direct lake views. In 2014, the decision was made not to install a TV when it opened. According to Flore Pilzer, the property’s brand director, the owners “would rather guests enjoy the breathtaking views from their bedrooms.”

Located on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, Le Grand Controle is a 13-room hotel in a nearly 350-year-old building built by Louis XIV’s favorite architect, Jules Hardouin-Mansart. When it opened two years ago, the team decided to omit the televisions in order to keep the rooms in line with the property’s 18th-century theme.

Removing TVs from hotel rooms isn’t easy

Whether or not to include iconic technology is not always an easy decision. For Sameer, it’s a question of government involvement. In Egypt, hotel licenses have certain conditions. A TV is not required if the accommodation is classified as an ecolodge, but some kind of TV is mandatory for starred hotels.

Sameer believes Wadi Sabara Lodge does not fit into either of these categories (“We are part of everything”) and has worked with the Ministry of Tourism to develop the best I’ve been looking for a way.

“The ministry is flexible, but like any large bureaucracy, it takes time to get your point across,” he explains. “We added a TV room even though our guest said he didn’t want it. I explained that I wasn’t saving money because it was expensive.”

The plan appears to have helped negotiations, but Samir clarifies that customers have not been very receptive and that the TV room is still not used very regularly.

In Paddington, central London, The Pilgrim founder Jason KatifaoGlu discussed with a business partner whether to install televisions in hotel rooms.

For him, sustainability was at the core of this real estate. His passion is finding disused properties, restoring them and turning them into hotels using recycled and found materials wherever possible. This property does not have double glazing or air conditioning. The former to avoid destroying the original window frames of the building and the latter to minimize energy consumption.

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Ultimately, Jason chose to put TVs in all but three of the smallest rooms. For him, not having them felt like too much of a risk, but it’s still a very big question in his mind about future openings.

Do hotel guests miss the TV?

Many hotels now offer free Wi-Fi in their rooms (although many still offer free Wi-Fi only in public spaces). There are plenty of opportunities to watch content in the comfort of your room without a TV.

However, hoteliers’ observations of guest behavior indicate that content consumption is not as common as might be expected.

Flore Pilzer of Villa Làrio explains:Many clients are unaware [the lack of TVs]In the last 10 years, there have only been two requests for a hotel to bring a TV into the room.

At Wadi Sabara Lodge, the hammam reiterates that there are no complaints about the lack of television. In fact, when he talks to his guests about it, most of the answers are to leave the room as is. However, I often see guests streaming content around the hotel.

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Some properties without TVs, such as the Bequia Beach Hotel in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, have TVs on standby for guest requests.

Real estate director Philip Morstead said. “The overwhelming majority [of guests] did not notice [there are no TVs] And for the few people who actually want it (family members, moviegoers, etc.), Guest Services can have it delivered. “

Morsted says the lack of flat screens makes customers’ stays more enjoyable because “couples often thank us for the improved social interaction they have with flat screens and they accept it as part of their vacation.” It seems to have improved.

How will removing the TV affect the design of the hotel?

As televisions begin to be phased out, there will likely be ripple effects such as: room design and interior layout.

Artem Kropovinski, designer and founder of New York-based interior design firm Arsight, said: It’s becoming less and less common for entire families and groups of friends to gather around a TV screen. “

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He’s seen it firsthand with his customers. “Priorities are clearly shifting,” he says. “While there are still quite a few people who prefer their television to be the focal point, many are now seeking alternative centerpieces. It has a wide range of spectacular views.”

Brad Smith, CEO and principal interior designer at Omni Home Ideas, has also witnessed a shift in priorities, with many of his clients saying they don’t want their living rooms to be dominated by TV anymore. Instead, they prefer “flexible layouts with an emphasis on social interaction, aesthetics, and even the beautiful views outside.” For those who still want a TV, hidden features like electric lifts and cabinets that turn off the TV when not in use are popular. “

What is the future of hotel room televisions?

Hotel rooms without televisions are not the result of the advent of wellness resorts and smartphones. In his 1950s when Jamaica Inn, Jamaica opened, television was not a prominent feature. It was a bold choice for a hotel synonymous with James Bond, his one of the greatest movie series of all time.

The property’s owner, Eric Morrow, says guests can enjoy all the entertainment they need outdoors. “When you open the door and look out over the beach to the colorful blues of the Caribbean Sea in the early morning, the ultimate high-definition experience awaits.” Once a year, we hold “Bond on the Beach,” showing 007 movies on a large screen. Guests can watch with his Bluetooth headphones and popcorn.

It remains to be seen if hotel room TVs will become less popular in the hospitality industry. They offer services beyond local (or global) viewing channels. In many cases, they are a near-permanent advertising source for hotel brands and are frequently used to provide resort information to guests. Moreover, different destinations and markets have different customer segments and service priorities, many of which require in-room TV.

However, the importance and role of hotel TVs will change in the coming decades as portable content devices continue to evolve. We will watch over this space.