IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONCEPT OF A „SMART HOTEL‟ AS AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION: THE CASE OF THE HOTEL

Abstract

The analysis shows that smart hotels not only enhance guest satisfaction but also enable hotels to operate more profitably by improving access to information that supports better business decision-making. The chapter also identifies key drivers encouraging hotels to implement smart technologies, including the rapid development of digital solutions across social and economic domains. The growing demand for smart technologies in the hotel sector is essential for meeting the expectations of technologically sophisticated guests. Finally, the importance of technological innovation for the management and marketing of tourism organizations, destinations, and products has been emphasized. Such innovations directly influence tourist behavior and have the potential to reshape the entire decision-making process—from planning a trip to forming lasting memories. The research confirms that selecting appropriate smart guest-room management systems is critical for any hotel. Therefore, several key issues must be addressed: enhancing guest comfort through automation and user-friendly control interfaces; reducing energy consumption and operational costs through energy-efficient solutions; optimising internal processes via real-time monitoring and integration with other digital systems. 8 It is determined that the German hotel sector is undergoing a period of significant transformation driven by labour shortages, rising operational costs, sustainability pressures, and increasing guest expectations for digital convenience. It is proved that the implementation of smart technologies - particularly Smart Guest Room Management Systems (GRMS) can effectively address many of the identified inefficiencies. It is recommended that nhow Berlin proceed with the implementation of a full-scale GRMS across all 304 rooms to strengthen energy efficiency, digital guest experience, and internal operational workflows.