Industry guide
QR codes for hotels
Hotels should treat QR codes as a replacement for the in-room compendium: one code per service, each pointing at a page you update centrally. The WiFi code is the one guests actually want, and it belongs on the desk, not behind the door.
In-room codes worth having
| Code | Placement |
|---|---|
| WiFi | Desk card and bedside, not the back of the door |
| Room service menu | Desk, matt tent card |
| Housekeeping requests | Inside the wardrobe |
| Local guide and directions | Desk |
| Checkout and feedback | Desk, and on the folio |
Replacing a printed compendium with codes means you update the restaurant hours once, centrally, instead of reprinting 200 folders.
Guest WiFi and captive portals
Most hotel networks use a captive portal for terms acceptance and room-number authentication. A WiFi QR code joins the radio network but cannot complete the portal. Say this on the card — "scan to join, then accept the terms in your browser" — or guests will report the code as broken.
Accessibility
A QR-only compendium excludes guests with low vision and those without a smartphone. Keep a printed folder available at reception, and make the linked pages real HTML with proper headings.
Feedback before review
Put a private feedback code on the folio at checkout and a public review code beside it. Both visible, guest chooses. That is not review gating, and it means problems reach you rather than a review site.
Multi-language
International guests are the norm. Serve the linked pages with proper hreflang and
language detection rather than printing one code per language — four codes on a desk card
means none get scanned.