Let’s face it: gone are the days when hotels were considered “high-tech” just because they had a flatscreen TV and decent Wi-Fi (well, decent-ish). Today, technology is transforming hotel development from the literal ground up—starting in the planning phase and continuing through construction, opening, and operations.
And for hotel suppliers, especially those in tech, that’s not just exciting, it’s a wake-up call. If you’re not already offering solutions tailored to these evolving needs, you may soon find yourself left in the digital dust.
With so many new hotels under construction and more hotels under development globally, suppliers really need to stay ahead of the curve to remain competitive.
Let’s take a look at the tech trends reshaping hotel builds and how suppliers can step up to meet the moment.
AI in Hotels: Not Just for Sci-Fi Anymore
Artificial intelligence is now a must-have in modern hospitality planning. Think predictive analytics to help developers forecast guest behavior, AI-driven pricing models that update in real time, or personalized guest experience engines that remember your pillow preference (yes, it’s really a thing!).
The rise of AI in hotels is one of the most impactful technology trends today, especially as operators seek smarter ways to optimize operations and guest satisfaction.
As a supplier, offering AI-powered tools—or at least integrations with popular AI systems—puts you at the front of the pack. Bonus points if your solution can tell a hotelier how to save money and recommend the perfect wine pairing!
BIM and Hotel Technology: More Than Just 3D Modeling
If you’re not speaking BIM (Building Information Modeling), now’s the time to start. Architects and developers increasingly rely on BIM-compatible products and services to coordinate planning, avoid construction headaches, and improve communication across the board.
Hotel suppliers who can integrate their systems with BIM workflows become critical players, offering real-time updates, smarter project coordination, and fewer “oops” moments onsite.
This is especially crucial for new hotels in planning, where any delay or design flaw can cause costly setbacks.
Think of it as joining the group chat—just with way more blueprints.
Smart Hotels Need Smart Suppliers
We’re officially in the era of smart hotel rooms. They unfortunately don’t do your taxes yet, but they can adjust the lighting, control the thermostat, and respond to voice commands.
Smart hotels are no longer a futuristic dream—they’re the new standard for hotels under development aiming to stand out.
Suppliers should be offering IoT-enabled devices that don’t just look good in a glossy brochure (even though this is important too!) but actually integrate seamlessly into the hotel’s wider tech offerings. If your product doesn’t play nicely with others, it’s time to go back to the drawing board.
Mobile Everything
Remember when “mobile check-in” was the cool new thing? Now it seems to be the bare minimum. From digital room keys to app-based guest services and contactless payments, today’s hotel guests expect convenience at their fingertips.
New hotel projects are prioritizing mobile and contactless guest experiences right from the blueprint stage, making it a must for any supplier in hotel technology.
Suppliers who provide secure, mobile-first solutions with flawless UX will be the ones hotels trust. (And let’s be honest—no one wants to be the supplier behind an app that crashes every time someone tries to order room service.)
Sustainable Hotel Technology
Sustainability isn’t just a new buzzword, it’s a new building block. New hotels are prioritizing energy-efficient systems from day one, looking for ways to optimize HVAC, water, and electricity use through smart monitoring and automation.
Hotel suppliers who provide sustainable technology solutions will find more opportunities in new hotels under construction, where green building practices are quickly becoming the norm.
Suppliers who deliver eco-friendly, tech-driven solutions not only help reduce the hotel’s environmental impact but also reduce long-term operating costs. That’s a win-win!
The Bottom Line for Hotel Suppliers
As hotels go increasingly high-tech, suppliers must shift from simply providing products to becoming innovation partners. Whether it's hotels under development or new hotels in planning, staying on top of hotel technology trends—from AI to smart and sustainable solutions—is key. If you want to be part of the hotels of tomorrow, it's time to level up your tech.
