In this article · 7 sections
"Wi-Fi didn't work in the room" appears in a lot of hotel reviews, and business travellers won't come back after a bad experience. Good guest Wi-Fi also needs to be safe, both for guests and for your own billing and booking systems.
Coverage and speed
- Use one access point per 2–4 rooms, depending on walls. One router at reception won't reach the third floor
- Use mesh or ceiling-mounted access points with a wired backhaul where possible
- Plan for at least 5–10 Mbps per occupied room. Video calls and streaming are normal now
- Keep a second internet line from another provider as backup
Separate your networks
This is the most important security step:
- Guest network: internet only, no access to other devices
- Office network: PMS computer, billing, CCTV recorder, printers
If guests and your billing computer share one network, an infected guest laptop can reach your systems. Most business routers support VLANs or a "guest network" with client isolation.
Passwords and access
- Change the guest password regularly and print it on the key card or room card
- Never use the same password as the office network or router admin
- Change the router's default admin password and update its firmware
Logs and compliance
Public Wi-Fi providers in India may need to keep user logs. Ask your internet provider or an IT vendor whether a login/voucher system is required for your setup, especially for larger hotels.
Protect guest data
- Keep ID scans and payment records on the office network only
- Restrict the PMS to staff logins
- Back up booking data. See ransomware protection for small business
Office basics
See the full IT setup checklist for a new office, which applies to hotel back offices too.
FAQs
Should I charge for Wi-Fi?
Most guests in India now expect free Wi-Fi. A paid premium tier only makes sense for very high-bandwidth needs.
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