It’s been a few months since Apple announced that their AirPlay for hotels program had finally launched, allowing guests at select hotels and resorts to control their in-room AV systems from their personal Apple devices. Now, Samsung has announced that they are on board with Samsung Hospitality TVs receiving AirPlay compatibility. Samsung’s release states that AirPlay will initially be coming to its HBU8000 model TVs before becoming “sequentially supported on other existing models.”
Assitionally, Samsung’s new SmartThings Pro integration for its hospitality systems aims to give hotel IT managers complete control over Samsung’s hospitality products, allowing management of AV systems, smart signage, and other IoT devices via the SmartThings Pro Dashboard.
“The integration of Apple AirPlay is part of Samsung’s broader strategy to enhance the in-room experience for hotel guests while providing powerful management tools for hotel operators,” says Samsung. “Samsung’s latest hospitality TVs include LYNK Cloud and SmartThings Pro for enhanced connectivity, seamless management and improved guest experience.”
The following was originally published April 19, 2024:
UPDATE: After months of waiting, Apple’s AirPlay for hotels has officially released. The feature, announced a year ago, allows hotel visitors to easily stream content from their iPhone or iPad to their hotel TV. This includes streaming services like Apple TV and Netflix, as well as content downloaded to the device itself.
While the feature made its debut via the iOS 17.3 update in January, rollout to hotels had not been announced until now. According to Apple, guests can utilize AirPlay at select IHG Hotels & Resorts, including Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, Candlewood Suites, and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts. IHG properties and LG are the two initial partners for the AirPlay program, but Apple has said that additional partners will be brought on board over time. At press time, AirPlay is available at 60 IHG properties in North America, with more to be added over the coming months.
For a full list of properties that support Apple AirPlay, click here.
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The following was originally published January 29, 2024:
Announced last June during their Worldwide Developer’s Conference, Apple’s AirPlay for hotels program has officially begun rolling out.
“AirPlay hotel support lets you stream content directly to the TV in your room in select hotels,” reads the company’s announcement.
Thanks to the new iOS 17.3 update, iPhone users can now quickly stream content from their phone to a hotel TV. This not only includes personal videos or photos stored on the phone, but also content from streaming platforms such as Hulu or Disney+. Netflix is a notable exception, and is not currently supported.
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This quick hotel connectivity is accomplished through a QR code, which is displayed on supported hotel TVs. This circumvents the normal lengthy login or connectivity routines typically required by hotels. When it was announced last year, Apple said that it had partnered with LG as well as IHG Hotel & Resorts for the AirPlay for hotels program, with more partners rolling out over time. While Apple’s announcement says that AirPlay is now available in “select hotels,” no specific hotels have been announced as of yet.
The following was originally published June 26, 2023:
Apple announced earlier this month that they are looking to improve the hotel TV experience by introducing AirPlay for hotels, an integration initiative that will allow guests to connect their iPhone or iPad to a hotel TV with a simple scan of a QR code. This functionality will allow users to access their desired streaming services, as well as play media directly from their device. Now, LG Electronics has announced that they have partnered with Apple to be the first manufacturer to get involved with the AirPlay for hotels program. In a press release, LG states that AirPlay for hotels will be available on LG Pro:Centric Smart Hotel TVs beginning later this year.
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“This is a major advancement for in-room entertainment in the travel and hospitality industry, and underscores how closely we are listening to the needs of consumers who increasingly demand simple access to their personal media options on the biggest screen, wherever they are,” said Michael Kosla, hospitality vice president at LG Business Solutions USA. “Hotels that offer this feature will have an immediate leg up with travelers who use Apple devices, boosting guest satisfaction while providing real differentiation from local competition.”
While it’s still unknown what properties AirPlay will be available in first, LG Electronics goes on to state that AirPlay will be coming to 2023 LG Pro:Centric Smart Hotel TVs as well as “recent year’s models.”
