Asking ChatGPT: What is the Hotel Room of the Future?

In this blog post, we asked ChatGPT what the hotel room of the future might look like, and it delivered some interesting predictions. We’ll weigh in on its insights and assess how likely they are to become reality.

How does the hotel room of the future look? Like everyone in the hospitality industry, we’ve pondered this question at one point or another. As an in-room tablet provider, we’ve probably thought about it more often than most.

There is concrete data that gives us an idea of where in-room technology is headed. However, as with many things in the modern world, it’s impossible to fully predict what future technology will be capable of.

So, we decided to ask the “smartest” oracle out there: ChatGPT. While this is all in good fun, we genuinely believe AI might come up with innovative features that even hospitality tech professionals haven’t considered.

In this blog post, we asked ChatGPT what the hotel room of the future might look like, and it delivered some interesting predictions. With 12 years of experience in in-room guest communication, we’ll weigh in on its insights and assess how likely they are to become reality.

1. Super Smart and Personalized Everything

What ChatGPT said: Imagine walking into your hotel room, and it knows you prefer the lights dimmed and the temperature at 22°C. Voice-activated assistants handle your requests, and smart mirrors display your schedule and the weather.

Our take: Hotel rooms are getting smarter, slowly but definitely, but we doubt that this level of intelligence will be achieved in the near future. While voice-activated assistants like Alexa are already part of everyday life, predictive temperature control that anticipates guest needs in real-time remains a distant goal. While many guests appreciate the convenience of smart features, there's a flip side—41% worry about data security, and 38% find voice assistants intrusive. Plus, if the tech glitches or isn't user-friendly, it could lead to more frustration than comfort.

Our final verdict is that personalization is definitely important, and we see more and more guests expecting it as a standard. However, balance is key—hotels must harmonize guest expectations with real solutions that deliver practical, tangible value.

2. Going Green

What ChatGPT said: Step into the hotel room of the future—where comfort meets sustainability. Lights adjust to daylight, smart thermostats optimize energy, and water-saving showers reduce waste without compromising luxury. Furniture made from recycled materials and organic, biodegradable linens create an eco-friendly retreat. With green roofs and smart energy systems, the future of hospitality is as responsible as it is relaxing.

Our take: Sustainability matters to travelers, but cost remains a challenge for hotels. While 75% of global travelers say that they want to travel more sustainably in the future, only 5% are willing to pay extra. That’s why, even though energy-reducing technology will likely play a bigger role in hotel operations, we think many hotels may not be ready to invest in the upfront costs just yet. So, even though being sustainable means also being economically sustainable, meaning you save cost while saving energy, the investment for this is higher than many hotels can easily bear.  Even though this level of investment is viable for some new cutting-edge hotel projects, there are many more investments the hotel needs to consider sustainability investments a priority.

Yet, one cost-free solution is to offer your guests the option to skip room cleaning. This simple solution not only reduces operational costs and time for hotels but also lowers CO₂ emissions and water consumption. All without investing too much time and resources. Guests can use hotel apps or in-room tablets to opt out of daily cleaning, making their stay more sustainable while benefiting the hotel. Moreover, if your guest engagement solution offers a pay-per-use pricing model like SuitePad, you can get started with this initiative without the initial costs attached. A true win-win for both sides.

3. Flexible Spaces

What ChatGPT said: Rooms that adapt to your needs—work during the day, relax at night. Think of movable walls and furniture that can be reconfigured.

Our take: This prediction is where we think ChatGPT outdid itself. While the concept of flexible hotel rooms is interesting—especially for business travelers—we don’t see it becoming mainstream anytime soon. Some guests might appreciate the adaptability, but most leisure travelers still prefer a traditional setup. Constantly reconfiguring furniture would also lead to wear and tear, increasing maintenance costs. Plus, hotel capital expenditure (CapEx) per room has risen from $3,702 in 2014 to $6,440 in 2023, and adding movable walls would only drive costs higher. The investment simply isn’t practical.

4. Automated Hospitality

What ChatGPT said: Everything from check-in to room service is automated. Robots deliver your meals, and you use apps for requests.

Our take: If automation continues to advance at its current pace, this vision isn’t far-fetched. Maybe not robots carrying meals just yet, but some hotels already offer self-check-in, lobby screens, mobile key access, and app-based service requests. Major hotel brands like Marriott and Hilton have piloted facial recognition check-in at select properties, and mobile keyless entry is becoming increasingly common.

However, there are two sides to every coin. While these advancements are gaining traction, actual guest adoption remains an open question. Why should hotels invest time and money in cutting-edge solutions if guests aren’t using them? That’s why the real power of automation lies in how hotels connect their PMS, AI-driven service platforms, and guest-facing technology in a way that guests actively engage with. We believe in-room tablets provide the perfect solution with 55–80% guest usage rates. This allows hotels to automate key aspects of the guest experience while ensuring real value and adoption.

Conclusion: Is This the Future—or Just the Beginning?

ChatGPT had plenty more predictions, from VR goggles that transform hotel rooms into virtual destinations to automated luggage carriers that whisk bags straight to your room. While some ideas seem far-fetched, others are already shaping the way hotels operate today.

Of course, predicting the future of hospitality is no easy task as technology evolves rapidly and guest expectations shift just as fast. But one thing is clear: automation, personalization, and sustainability will play a significant role in defining the hotel experience of tomorrow.

Did we cover it all? Not even close, we barely scratched the surface. Maybe a part two is in order—after all, the future of hospitality is always up for debate.

_{Published on 20 February 2025}