Delivering a Fresh Guest Experience with Augmented Reality (AR)

In today’s digital era, travel is no longer just about “where to go, where to stay” – it’s about the experience, both spatial and technological. One of the most prominent trends is Augmented Reality (AR). Not only does AR help hotels differentiate themselves, it also opens up opportunities to attract younger, tech-savvy guests while enhancing satisfaction and increasing revenue from ancillary services. Let’s explore this technology with Hotel Link and how it can be effectively applied in the hospitality industry.

What is AR and Why Does It Fit the Hospitality Industry?

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital content – such as 3D images, videos, or graphics – onto the real world through a smartphone or AR device, aligned with actual surroundings. Unlike Virtual Reality (VR), which creates a fully artificial environment, AR enriches real environments with interactive elements.

Why Should Hotels Explore AR?

• Enhance guest experiences: AR transforms ordinary rooms into interactive spaces with virtual guides, 3D dining menus, or cultural explorations.

• Increase service value: Whether upselling spa services or souvenirs, AR delivers immersive, visual content that boosts conversions.

• Drive social media buzz: Unique AR experiences are highly shareable, increasing brand visibility and drawing attention from the travel community.

• Personalization: AR can be tailored by customer profiles – e.g., business travelers may receive virtual meeting assistance, while families enjoy kid-friendly adventures.

Practical AR Applications in Hotels

AR is no longer just a futuristic idea – it’s being implemented by leading hotels globally. Examples include:

1. Interactive Indoor Guides

• AR maps in rooms or lobbies help guests locate restrooms, bars, spas, pools, etc.
• QR codes launch step-by-step navigation using floating graphics.

3D Restaurant Menus

Guests scan the menu to view 3D images of dishes, helping them visualize and choose easily.

Can include videos, ingredients, and pairing suggestions to boost order rates.

Local Tours & Cultural Experiences

Hotel surroundings filmed and enriched with AR content – guests scan to see floating videos or commentary about nearby attractions.

AR Photobooths

Digital props and fun filters for selfies in the lobby or event space, encouraging Instagram/TikTok sharing.

Family & Children’s Entertainment

AR transforms kids’ rooms into interactive comic books or treasure hunts – creating joy and engagement.

In-room Device Tutorials

Guests scan items like coffee makers, AC units, or TVs to receive visual, time-saving instructions without calling the front desk.

Benefits and Real Impact of AR

Enhanced Guest Satisfaction

AR technology is not only a trend but also brings practical value in enhancing customer experience and boosting revenue. Surveys and market research have clearly demonstrated this:

According to Hospitality Net by Euphoria XR, up to 71% of travelers find AR-enhanced previews useful when planning their trips. This number shows a high level of appreciation, affirming the strong interest of the digital generation in AR.

Forbes has pointed out that 80% of travelers love accommodations that have interactive AR entertainment options. This further reinforces the idea of widespread response to unique AR experiences in the travel industry.

Notably, Think with Google also said that 63% of millennial travelers prefer places that allow augmented reality interactions, emphasizing the suitability of AR for young customers.

In terms of willingness to pay, in-depth studies on AR in the tourism and hospitality industry, such as the article "AR Experience Design to Improve AR Satisfaction and Willingness to Pay in Smart Tourism Cities" on ResearchGate, have confirmed that factors such as the educational, entertaining and aesthetic value of AR experiences can directly impact customer satisfaction and intention to pay. These figures clearly demonstrate the potential of AR to not only differentiate and impress visitors but also contribute to sustainable revenue growth for accommodation establishments.

Boosting Revenue via Upselling & Cross-Selling

• Spa, Dining: AR previews elevate perception and increase bookings for premium services.

• Tours & Activities: Interactive AR videos make local excursions more appealing.

Brand Awareness

Unique AR experiences shared online serve as organic promotion, eliminating traditional ad costs.

Standing Out in a Crowded Market

With intense competition, AR becomes a powerful differentiator – for both boutique hotels and large chains.

How to Implement AR Effectively

1. Define your goals and audience
   Targeted at urban hotels, resorts, or family-friendly stays? Purpose: experience, upsell, or fun?

2. Choose the right platform and provider
   Partner with AR specialists or use SaaS platforms like Zappar, Blippar, or 8th Wall. Consider integration, cost, and customization.

3. Develop compelling AR content
   Short 3–10 second videos, interactive visuals, audio, and concise storytelling work best. Test and optimize based on guest feedback.

4. Ensure strong UX/UI integration
   Place AR triggers clearly (QRs on brochures, smart TVs). The interface must be intuitive and clear.

5. Measure performance
   Track scan volume, time spent, upsell conversion rates, and guest reviews mentioning AR experiences.

Real-World Examples

Hotel Art in Milan – AR Art Tour

Boutique hotel in Milan integrates AR to help guests easily scan wall paintings and watch artist's video art. Results:

• Average number of scans per guest is 10–15 times in 3 days of stay
• 85% of guests responded with satisfaction and shared their experience on social media

Beachside Resort Bali – AR Menu

Scannable dishes resulted in:

• Increase F&B revenue from specials by 30%
• Customers respond positively to the easy-to-choose, visually appealing experience

Family Homestay Japan – AR Treasure Hunts

• Kids engage in 5–7 daily AR activities.
• Extended family stays by 0.5 nights on average.

Challenges and Solutions

• Voice AR: Real-time voice guides in native languages

• AR + IoT: Combine with smart rooms for adaptive environments

• AR Commerce: Enable souvenir purchasing through AR experiences

• AR Data Insights: Gather behavioral data to improve guest targeting and services

Conclusion

Augmented Reality is proving to be a valuable tool in transforming the guest experience, setting hotels apart, and fostering stronger engagement and loyalty. To implement AR successfully, hotels need robust, flexible tech infrastructures.

Hotel Link is your trusted partner in this journey – offering a powerful suite of technology tools to support everything from booking and distribution to guest communication. This enables seamless AR integration and positions your property at the forefront of innovation.

Contact Hotel Link today to learn more about how our technology ecosystem can support your hotel in enhancing guest experiences with cutting-edge solutions like AR.

Read more: Elevating Guest Engagement With Virtual Reality Experiences