SD-WAN and AI can improve efficiency and provide an elevated guest experience

Hospitality in 2025 is experiencing a convergence of uncertainty and technological advancement that has prompted hoteliers to seek innovative solutions to improve daily operations and find efficiencies. Software defined wide area networks (SD-WAN), and artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged as transformative technologies. In combination, they are helping forward-looking hospitality tech leaders improve guest experience, simplify budgeting, and alleviate the staffing issues which had previously taken frontline workers away from their customer service activities. 

However, large chains are adjusting their full-year revenue outlooks down, and US travelers are spending less money in 2025. Not surprisingly, executive boards throughout the hospitality industry are seeking efficiencies, and are finding those in their network infrastructure and judicious application of artificial intelligence (AI) instances. 

One of the ways hoteliers can prepare for AI pilot programs or full-blown new tech deployments is by assessing their network architecture and topology. One common finding when undertaking this assessment is that integrating an SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) into a hotel network tech stack can significantly enhance performance, reliability, and security. Indeed, implementing SD-WAN today to achieve better network optimization and end user outcomes is crucial – and it prepares the network and staff for the inevitable integration of various AI instances. 

Hospitality leaders have strong enthusiasm for AI, with adoption visible in all sectors of the industry. Studies show 73% of hoteliers believe AI will have a significant or transformative impact on hospitality, while 61% say it already is impacting the industry. Hospitalitynet reports that, “The hospitality industry’s landscape is set to undergo significant transformations characterized by increased personalization, automation, AI, and cybersecurity, just to name a few.”

‍Harnessing AI’s potential for improvements in hospitality

AI in the hospitality industry is used to enhance guest experiences, streamline operations, and improve business performance. This includes automating tasks, personalizing services, optimizing pricing, and managing revenue. For example, AI-powered chatbots can handle guest inquiries, while smart rooms can adjust to guest preference.

HotelTechReports asserts that the use of AI can improve operations by automating repetitive tasks, freeing up human staff to focus on guests. And a study by Deloitte found that personalized experiences can boost hotel revenue by up to 15% as guests are willing to pay more for this customization.

AI can improve  housekeeping and maintenance by using sensors and cameras to control temperature, lighting, and security in guest rooms. Paired with IoT sensors, AI can give guests a measure of control over these functions. AI systems can also help to optimize pricing through data analysis and predictive modeling while driving energy efficiency by using smart building systems.

Hoteliers are currently using AI to drive personalization, and PwC reports that “A key element in this strategy involves deploying AI to analyze guest data from loyalty programs and mobile apps.” In fact, 76% of hospitality executives told PwC that personalizing the customer experience to boost loyalty is a high priority.

According to Hotel Tech Report’s State of Hotel Guest Technology Report 2025, 58% of guests believe that AI improves their hotel booking and stay experiences, suggesting that hotels implementing AI technology are better positioned to anticipate and satisfy guest needs.

Optimizing the AI investment for hotel networks

However, many of today’s hotel networks are not equipped nor optimized for the AI era. Hoteliers need to ensure their IT infrastructure and network can be relied on as new demands are placed on them. To support these technologies, IT leaders need a way to simplify the management of their networks and better optimize the allocation of bandwidth.

Hoteliers can deploy AI-powered assistants to fill labor resource gaps and strengthen operations and enhance the operational efficiency of critical applications like property management and point of sale systems for smoother operations. Further, they can monitor hotel systems and equipment (such as HVAC) to reduce costs, ensure uninterrupted operations, and to improve sustainability efforts. 

Connectivity needs for AI usage focus on high bandwidth, low latency, reliable connections, and robust network infrastructure to manage the data generated and processed. Essentially, a network that can seamlessly support the constant flow of data required for training and employing AI models.

Fiber networks are well-suited for AI applications due to their high bandwidth and low latency capabilities. These networks can support the massive data transfer required by AI, and the best fiber networks offer resiliency and a higher resistance to interference. This is crucial for AI applications which require constant, reliable uptime to deliver optimal results.

Hotels can leverage SD-WAN to create a more reliable, efficient, and secure network infrastructure. Adding SD-WAN to your hotel tech stack prepares your network for the AI revolution that is already upon us. Modernizing your network can improve the guest experience and help lower costs by introducing operational efficiencies. By shifting hospitality IT costs from CapEX to OpEX with managed services, hoteliers can drive simplicity and predictability to their balance sheets.

Achieving cost efficiencies with a managed SD-WAN solution

In addition to optimizing bandwidth, a managed SD-WAN solution can optimize costs by reducing expenses. Since SD-WAN hosts many functions in the cloud, the necessary equipment is reduced. This decreases upfront infrastructure costs and allows for quicker deployment, giving organizations the flexibility to augment, extend or replace their current WAN as needed. A managed SD-WAN solution can also provide a portal that allows IT managers a centralized view into how their network is functioning. This allows organizations to see the performance of their network, while the SD-WAN partner handles much of the network management and maintenance.

Spectrum Business can help

Beyond a traditional technology vendor, you need a partner who is fully vested in your success. Spectrum Business provides technology solutions to 96% of the top hotel brands in the U.S., and we deliver the most advanced WiFi wireless data transfer with maximum throughput and minimum latency. 

We can partner with you to achieve your business objectives with our award-winning end-to-end technology solutions and support. Learn more about Spectrum Business enterprise-grade solutions for hospitality.