Running a dining spot inside a hotel is a unique challenge. You have to capture the attention of guests walking through the lobby and attract locals looking for a great meal. The design and menu are vital, but the sound is just as important. A silent room feels awkward. The wrong playlist can ruin a meal.
If you are looking for a broad overview of music for hotels, you must consider how the lobby flow impacts the dining room. But for the restaurant itself, you need a specific plan. This guide helps you build a strategy that keeps guests happy and keeps your business legal.
Defining Your Hotel Restaurant’s Vibe
The biggest mistake managers make is playing the same audio in the restaurant that plays in the lobby. The energy needs to be different. The lobby is for checking in or waiting. The dining room is for eating, talking and the customer getting ready for the next part of their day.
Your playlist should change based on the time of day. This is called day-parting. The morning shift needs bright and calm tracks for coffee and breakfast. The dinner rush needs a faster tempo to keep energy up. If you have multiple business locations or several dining areas within one property (called ‘zones’), you can control each zone separately for the right sound in the right place. A bar area needs louder tracks than a fine dining room.
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Connecting the Restaurant to the Rest of the Hotel
The restaurant is only one piece of the customer’s journey in the hotel. As guests walk through your property, the sound needs to change to fit the new space.
- The Lobby: Here we need a warm welcome to the customer as well as mask customer service sound and make the wait feel shorter if there is a line to check in. Read our Hotel Lobby Music Strategy Guide.
- The Bar: This spot needs high energy. Upbeat tracks help drive sales and keep the mood fun. Read our Hotel Bar Music Strategy Guide.
- Pools and Gyms: These zones serve different needs. Keep the gym loud and fast, but keep the pool area calm. Read our Hotel Pool and Gym Strategy Guide here.
- Elevators and Hallways: Silence in an elevator is awkward. Light background audio makes the ride feel shorter. Read our Hotel Elevators and Hallways Strategy Guide here.
You can manage all these zones from one central dashboard to make it easy to control. This creates a smooth experience for the customer and an easier day for management.
Can You Use Spotify in My Hotel Restaurant?
Many owners think they can plug in a phone and play a personal playlist. This is a bad idea. Personal music accounts with Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music are for private use only. They do not include the licenses required for a business.
Using a personal account can lead to large fines from groups like ASCAP or BMI. You need a solution that covers Public Performance Rights. There are many music for business providers built just for this. They handle the legal side so you can focus on the food. You can compare business music providers to see which one fits your budget and style. Most of these services cost a small monthly fee and protect you from legal trouble.
You Have Options on How to Play the Music in Your Hotel Restaurant
Once you pick a legal provider, you need to get the sound to the speakers. You do not want a complex system that requires a dedicated IT person to fix. You want something simple that staff can adjust if needed.
Most modern services offer an app or a small box that connects to your current sound system. If you are upgrading your gear, look into different music streaming playback options that fit your layout. Some devices plug right into your amplifier. Others work over WiFi. The goal is to have clear sound at a volume where guests can still talk and can still play even if the internet goes down.
Why Legal Music Is Critical
The music industry is cracking down on businesses that play unlicensed audio. It is not worth the risk. Beyond the fines, using a legal service gives you better tools. You get professionally curated playlists that sound better than a random shuffle.
You also get features like explicit lyrics filters. This is vital for a family-friendly space. When you use licensed music for business, you ensure that no offensive songs play while a family is eating dinner. It creates a safe and consistent brand image for your hotel.
For more information on the impact of background noise on dining, you can read this report on how sound affects the tasting experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use my personal Spotify account for my hotel restaurant?
A: No, you cannot. Personal streaming accounts are for private use only. Using them in a business violates their terms of service and copyright laws. You must use a commercial music service that includes Public Performance Rights to avoid fines. To be clear: there is no Spotify for Business, Amazon Music for Business or Apple Music for Business.
Q: How much does licensed music for a restaurant cost?
A: The cost varies by provider, but it is usually very affordable. Most services charge between $25 and $50 per month per location. This fee covers the licensing and the software to play the tracks. You can compare music for business pricing here.
Q: Can I play different music in the bar and the dining room?
A: Yes. Most commercial providers allow you to set up different “zones.” You can play upbeat rock in the bar and smooth jazz in the dining room at the same time using a single account or a multi-zone subscription.
Q: Do I need special equipment to play music in the hotel restaurant?
A: Not necessarily. Many services offer an app that runs on a tablet or computer you already own. However, using a dedicated media player provided by the service is often more reliable and keeps the music playing even if the WiFi drops briefly.
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By John Boyle
John is a music for business expert and the founder of MusicforBusinessFinder.com. He focuses on helping small business owners navigate the confusing world of commercial music licensing, improve sales, and protect their businesses. By providing clear, independent analysis of top audio platforms, he ensures owners can make informed choices with confidence. He also loves rooting for the Mariners and his daughter’s soccer team.