The lobby is the first thing your guests see and hear. It is the handshake of your hotel. If the lobby is too quiet, it feels awkward. If the music is too loud, guests cannot speak to the front desk. You need a plan to get it right.
This guide helps you build a great hotel lobby music strategy. It covers how to choose the right vibe and how to stay legal. If you need a full overview of audio for your entire property, check out our main guide on Music for Hotels.
Why the Right Sound Matters in Your Lobby
The music in your lobby sets the mood for the whole stay. It tells guests what kind of hotel you are. A luxury hotel sounds different than a family resort.
Music also helps pass the time. Guests often have to wait in line to check in. A study by Psychology of Music found that the right background music can make wait times feel shorter. This keeps guests happy even when you are busy.
Make an informed choice! Compare music providers for your business on our Compare Page—free and simple.
Setting the Mood by Time of Day
You cannot play the same songs all day long. The energy in your lobby changes from morning to night. You should match your playlist to the time of day. This is called “day-parting.”
- Morning: Play soft, acoustic, or light pop songs. This helps guests wake up gently.
- Afternoon: Pick up the tempo. Use indie pop or light jazz to create energy.
- Evening: Switch to lounge or low-fi beats. This signals that the work day is done.
If you have a large hotel, your lobby might be just one of many zones. You can learn more about managing audio across multiple business locations and zones on our site.
Best Genres for a Welcoming Atmosphere
What style fits your brand? Here are three common choices for music for hotel lobby areas:
- Modern Electro Lounge: This is great for boutique hotels. It uses cool, electronic beats. It feels trendy and high-end.
- Jazz Standards: This works well for classic luxury hotels. It feels timeless and rich.
- Soft Pop & Acoustic: This is best for family hotels. It is safe, happy, and familiar to everyone.
Remember, you must use legal music. You cannot use personal apps like Spotify. You need a service that covers licensed music for business. This protects you from fines.
Connecting the Lobby to Other Hotel Zones
The lobby is just the start of the guest journey. As guests move through your hotel, the sound should change to fit the new space.
- The Restaurant: The music here should influence dining speed.
- The Bar: This area needs higher energy to drive sales.
- Pools and Gyms: These are high-risk areas for noise. You need to keep the high-energy gym music separate from the relaxing pool area.
- Elevators and Hallways: Silence in an elevator makes it feel like an empty space.
Managing your zones in one central dashboard can create a seamless experience for the customer and make it easier to manage. Guests should not feel a jarring disconnect when they walk from the lobby to the elevator.
We make choosing easy! Compare music providers for your business on our Compare Page—free and simple.
How to Play Your Music
You have a few options on how to play the music in your lobby.
You can use a simple app on a tablet or a dedicated player box. A dedicated player is often best for hotels. It keeps playing even if the internet goes down. You can learn about different music playback options methods to ensure you never have “dead air” silence in the lobby.
Finding the Right Music for Hotel Provider
There are many companies that offer legal music for hotels. Some are better for luxury spaces. Others are better for budget hotels.
You should look for a provider that offers:
- Scheduling: To change music automatically by time of day.
- Central Dashboard: Manage all your zones in one place.
- Remote Control: To adjust volume from your office.
- Great Playlists: To save you time.
We have made it easy to see your options. You can use our free tool to compare music for business providers side-by-side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use Spotify for my hotel lobby music?
A: No, you cannot. Spotify and Apple Music are for personal use only. Using them in a business is a copyright violation. You must use a licensed business music provider. There is no Spotify for Business, Apple Music for Business or Amazon Music for Business.
Q: What is the best volume for music for hotel lobby areas?
A: The music should be present but not loud. Guests should be able to talk at the check-in desk without raising their voices. It should mask noise, not create it.
Q: How often should I update my hotel lobby playlist?
A: You should update it often so staff do not get bored. Good music services update their stations every day or week automatically.
Q: Does the music need to be different in the lobby than the elevator?
A: Yes. Elevators need very calm music to reduce anxiety. The lobby can have more energy. Using zones allows you to play different styles in each area.