Seven Things to Display on Hotel Digital Signs

You’ve invested in digital signage for your hotel—now comes the hard part: deciding what to actually put on those screens. The difference between signage that guests rely on and screens they walk past comes down to one thing: relevant, timely content.

Great hotel digital signage anticipates what guests need before they ask. It guides them through the property, highlights amenities, removes confusion, and creates memorable moments—all without adding pressure on your staff.

Poppulo, a leader in hospitality digital signage, makes this even easier. Their cloud-based platform lets hotels manage content across lobbies, elevators, meeting rooms, and event spaces with real-time updates, personalization, and automated workflows.

This guide walks through practical hotel digital signage content ideas for every area of your property. You’ll learn what to display, where it works best, and how to measure whether your screens are actually improving the guest experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Digital signage in hotels boosts guest satisfaction by delivering real-time, relevant content.
• Key displays include wayfinding, virtual concierge, promotions, and safety alerts.
• Scaling across multiple properties? Use centralized content management and consistent branding.
• Measure impact via engagement, conversions, and operational efficiency.
• Poppulo powers dynamic, secure, multi-location signage for hotels—helping improve communication and drive revenue.

Why Hotel Digital Signage Matters for Guest Communication

Digital signage isn’t just decorative. Digital signage has become essential infrastructure for modern hotels. It's not just about looking contemporary—it's about solving real communication challenges that affect both guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Enhancing Guest Experience & Reducing Confusion

Think about the most common questions your front desk fields every day. Where's the conference room? What time is checkout? Is breakfast still being served? Every one of these questions takes staff time and creates friction in the guest experience.

Well-placed digital signage answers these questions proactively. Guests get the information they need instantly, without waiting in line or searching for a staff member. This is especially valuable during peak check-in times or when hosting large events with hundreds of attendees who all need the same information.

The impact goes beyond convenience. When guests can navigate your property confidently and access information independently, they feel more comfortable and in control of their stay. That translates directly to higher satisfaction scores.

Improving Brand Visibility & Aesthetics

First impressions happen in seconds, and your lobby is often where guests form their initial opinion of your property. Dynamic digital displays create visual interest and signal that your hotel is modern and guest-focused.

But the real value isn't just aesthetics. Digital signage gives you control over your brand presentation in a way static posters never could. You can instantly update messaging to match seasons, special events, or current promotions. Display high-quality images of your property, showcase amenities, and create an atmosphere that reflects your brand identity.

For boutique hotels and resorts, this flexibility means you can tailor the experience to different guest segments or events without reprinting signage. For hotel chains, it means maintaining consistent branding across multiple properties while allowing for local customization.

What to Display on Hotel Digital Signs

As digital signage becomes an integral technology in the hospitality industry, business owners are challenged with ways in which to utilize the investment to its fullest potential. The opportunities for hotel digital signage displays are limitless and Visual Communications can be integrated throughout the building, in a variety of ways.

The most effective hotel information screen content serves one or more of these purposes: navigation, information, promotion, or personalization. Here's what actually works.

Deploying the Technology:

The prospects for digital signage in hotels expand beyond the lobby. It can be used in meeting rooms for corporate presentations, for hotel check-out time signs, or displayed in the elevator for wayfinding. Digital signage in hotels can also be employed for BOH (back-of-house) and internal communications or as a kiosk for guests to check-in.

Once a facility has worked out exactly where and how they will place their digital signs, they can then move on to deciding exactly what to display. The following are seven ideas for hotel digital signage displays:

Guidance:

One of the primary functions of hotel digital signage displays is to guide guests. Visual Communications can be used to inform guests of everything they need to know about the hotel. This can include information like:

• Hotel amenities: location and hours
• Hotel Check-in/Hotel Check-out time signs
• Conference room schedule
• Hotel specials and deals
• Flight information
• Weather

These types of displays can also be used to cross-sell by directing guests to other areas of the hotel that will increase revenue.

Wayfinding:

Perhaps the most necessary of all information to display, digital signage in hotels should always be used for navigation and easy wayfinding. The number one question guests have for the front desk is usually how to get somewhere. Assigning displays that are solely committed to helping people navigate improves the guest experience.

Wayfinding can be either static or interactive and can include features like maps, QR codes, and even SMS texts for continued assistance. These types of digital signage displays are usually strategically placed throughout the property to optimize their convenience. This includes the lobby, elevators, and any revenue-generating parts of the hotel, like bars and casinos.

Readerboards:

Readerboards are usually located behind the front desk and display general information that is important for guests. Data typically shown on these boards include:

• Local events and announcements
• Flight information
• Weather
• Regional and national news
• Key reminders; i.e., "carry an umbrella!"
• Hotel check-out time signs

The intent of readerboards is to provide an additional level of service that the front desk staff may not be able to provide. For example, key reminders can be triggered by the weather and feed directly into the display, whereas a staff member may not even know it's raining.

Virtual Concierge:

Hotel digital signage displays in hotels can be a means for guests to connect to the local community via a virtual concierge. Always up-to-date with real-time information, these types of displays are particularly useful.

Virtual concierge kiosks can update guests on anything a live person might, like events, news, and local happenings, and even help direct them to their destination.

Advertisements:

Without harming the guest experience, hotel digital signage displays can also be used to advertise and generate additional income. Guests may not even notice because it can be done while offering them discounts on local businesses and vendors. Plus, by only offering your preferred local partners advertising opportunities, you can help guide your guests to establishments that you trust.

It's a win-win situation because the guest gets a discount, the hotel generates revenue and the local establishment sees an increase in business.

Customized Messaging:

"Welcome Class of 1997!!" is just one example of how hotel digital signage displays can be used for customized messaging. There is power in personalization and many hotels use digital signage to address specific groups or large amounts of guests that are staying at the hotel together. Not only does this show appreciation for the group, but it also enhances their guest experience with an extra added detail.

Specific messages for conference guests can save the front desk from being inundated by the same questions relating to the event. It can streamline processes and prevent bottlenecks from happening. If agendas shift in an event, signage can display the updated information immediately to help avoid confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Hotel digital signage displays are a great way to present the most commonly asked questions by guests and answer them before they have time to ask the staff. This can include everything from pet policies to breakfast schedules to hotel check-out time signs. Posting this type of content in a question-and-answer format ensures that at least some of the guests will be helped prior to engaging a staff member.

The deployment and placement of hotel signage is one challenge but the content displayed is what truly contributes to a positive guest experience. Digital signage in hotels is all about following a few common themes:

• Navigation
• Information
• Guidance
• Education
• Improvement

As long as the content on a digital hotel sign is meeting one of these functions, there's a good chance it will improve the overall guest experience and really add to the company's bottom line

Additional High-Impact Content for Hotel Digital Signage

Beyond the basics, these content types help hotels differentiate their guest experience and address specific communication needs.

Event Schedules & Conference Room Updates

For hotels that host meetings and events, keeping attendees informed is critical. Display current and upcoming meeting schedules in lobbies, near elevators, and outside conference rooms.

Use meeting room signs outside each space showing the event name, organizer, start and end times. When schedules change—and they always do—update the displays instantly to prevent confusion. This reduces the number of lost attendees wandering the property and cuts down on staff interruptions.

For large conferences, include session tracks, speaker information, and room changes. Digital signage becomes the central information hub that keeps events running smoothly.

Local Attractions & Real-Time Travel Alerts

Position yourself as more than just a place to sleep. Use your digital signage to help guests explore your destination.

Showcase local attractions with photos, descriptions, and travel times. Highlight upcoming events, festivals, and activities happening during their stay. Include practical information like public transportation options, parking, and operating hours.

Add real-time travel alerts for weather warnings, traffic delays, or public transportation disruptions. This type of timely information demonstrates that you're actively looking out for your guests' needs and can save them significant frustration.

Emergency Alerts & Safety Information

Safety comes first. Your digital signage network should be capable of instantly broadcasting emergency alerts across all screens.

In a fire, severe weather, or security situation, you need the ability to override regular content and display critical instructions. This includes evacuation routes, shelter-in-place orders, or all-clear notifications.

During normal operations, use this capability to display safety information like emergency exit locations, assembly points, and contact numbers for security or medical assistance. Regular, non-intrusive safety reminders keep guests informed without creating alarm.

Social Media Highlights & Guest Reviews

Social proof influences guest perception and behavior. Display your property's social media feeds showing guest photos, reviews, and experiences.

Curate content that showcases your hotel in authentic ways. Feature positive guest reviews or testimonials—real-time or curated—to boost trust. Display Instagram posts where guests have tagged your property. Create a live feed of testimonials highlighting specific aspects of the guest experience.

This content serves multiple purposes. It entertains guests in waiting areas, builds trust with potential customers, and encourages current guests to share their own experiences on social media.

Managing Digital Signage Across Multiple Hotel Locations

For hotel chains or properties with multiple locations, the challenge isn't just creating good content—it's managing that content consistently across dozens or hundreds of screens.

Centralized Content Management

A cloud-based content management system lets you control digital signage across multiple properties from a single dashboard. Update content once and push it to specific locations, regions, or your entire portfolio.

This centralization dramatically reduces the time and effort required to maintain signage. Marketing teams can create brand-level campaigns and deploy them instantly. Local teams can customize content for their specific property without compromising brand standards.

The operational efficiency gains are significant. Instead of coordinating with individual properties to update seasonal promotions or safety information, you make changes in minutes from any location.

Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Properties

Consistency builds brand recognition and trust. Your digital signage should feel cohesive whether a guest visits your property in New York or Los Angeles.

Use templates and style guides that ensure visual consistency across all locations. Define standard content types, color schemes, fonts, and layout structures. This doesn't mean every property shows identical content—it means they all feel like part of the same brand family.

Allow for local customization within brand guidelines. Individual properties should be able to highlight their unique amenities, local partnerships, and community connections while maintaining the overall brand aesthetic.

Best Practices for Hardware Placement & Maintenance

Even the best content fails if your hardware isn't properly placed and maintained. Strategic placement ensures maximum visibility and impact.

Position screens where guests naturally look: eye level in lobbies, near elevator banks, at registration desks, and outside meeting rooms. Avoid glare from windows and ensure adequate lighting. Size screens appropriately for viewing distance—a lobby video wall needs different specs than a meeting room sign.

Implement a maintenance schedule for cleaning screens, checking connections, and updating media players. Dead screens or outdated content damage credibility faster than no screens at all. Monitor your network remotely to catch issues before guests notice them.

Measuring the Impact of Hotel Digital Signage

Digital signage represents a significant investment. Measuring its impact helps justify the cost and identifies opportunities for improvement.

Guest Engagement Metrics (Views, Interactions, Dwell Time)

Track how guests interact with your digital signage. Modern systems can measure views, interaction rates with touchscreens, and dwell time—how long guests spend looking at content.

These metrics reveal which content resonates and which gets ignored. If wayfinding content gets heavy usage but promotional content doesn't, adjust your mix. If certain screens get more attention than others, replicate that placement strategy elsewhere.

For interactive kiosks, track which features guests use most. Are they looking up local attractions? Checking event schedules? Ordering room service? This data shows which services matter most to your guests.

Promotional Conversion Rates

If you're using digital signage to promote on-property services or local partners, measure the results. Track redemption rates for promotional offers displayed on screens. Monitor increases in spa bookings, restaurant reservations, or amenity usage after promoting them digitally.

Compare these conversion rates to other marketing channels. If digital signage drives better results than email or in-room collateral, allocate more resources to it. If certain promotions underperform, test different messaging, timing, or placement.

Operational Efficiency Improvements

The hardest benefits to measure are often the most valuable. Track metrics that indicate reduced operational burden:

• Decrease in common front desk questions
• Reduction in staff time spent giving directions
• Fewer missed meetings due to unclear navigation
• Faster check-in times during peak periods

Survey your staff about their experience. Are they fielding fewer repetitive questions? Do they spend less time managing confused guests? These qualitative insights often reveal the true operational value of your digital signage investment.

How Poppulo Helps Hotels Improve Guest Communication

Poppulo enables hotels to deliver dynamic, real-time digital signage across lobbies, event areas, and conference zones from a single centralized platform. The cloud-based system powers everything from massive video walls to meeting room signs and wayfinding screens throughout your property.

With ready-to-use templates, on-site marketing managers and event planners can easily create branded content that enhances the guest experience without requiring technical expertise. The platform supports multiple contributors across locations, making it simple to manage content at scale while maintaining brand consistency.

For back-of-house communication, hotels can use Poppulo to inform teams of incoming guest arrivals, reinforce company values, and recognize top performers. This dual capability—guest-facing and employee-facing—makes digital signage a comprehensive communication tool for the entire property.

The platform's automated workflows and high security standards reduce operational strain while ensuring reliability. Hotels can manage thousands of screens across multiple properties, schedule content in advance, and update information instantly when plans change.

Want to learn more? Explore Poppulo’s digital signage for hotels →

Conclusion

Great hotel digital signage content does more than fill screens—it anticipates guest needs, reduces operational friction, and creates opportunities for engagement and revenue. Start with the basics like wayfinding and essential information, then build toward more sophisticated applications like personalized messaging and data-driven promotions.

The hotels that get the most value from digital signage treat it as a complete guest communication strategy, not just a technology deployment. They measure results, iterate on content, and continuously optimize based on guest behavior and staff feedback.

With the right content strategy and management platform, digital signage becomes one of your most valuable tools for improving guest satisfaction while reducing operational costs.

FAQs

What content works best on hotel digital signs?

Great content includes: wayfinding, event schedules, local attractions, safety alerts, social media highlights, guest reviews, and personalized greetings.

How often should hotels update their digital signage?

At minimum, refresh key promos monthly. For dynamic content like events or safety alerts—update in real time via a centralized platform.

Can digital signage reduce guest confusion?

Yes—by showing live directions, check-in info, FAQs, and virtual concierge options, guests find what they need without waiting in line.

Does digital signage help improve guest satisfaction?

Absolutely. Personalized messages, real-time information, and a modern, efficient experience foster a positive impression and higher engagement.

What hardware do hotels need for digital signage?

Basic requirements include commercial-grade displays (not consumer TVs), media players, reliable network connectivity, and mounting hardware. For interactive applications, add touchscreen displays. For large-scale deployments, include a content management system and monitoring tools. Work with providers who offer hospitality-specific solutions, as hotels have unique requirements for durability, remote management, and integration with property management systems.