What type of room phone is best for your hotel?

VoIP vs Analog Hotel Room Telephones

Often when a hotel or motel is looking to install a new phone system, questions come up regarding room telephones. It is often possible to reuse the existing room telephones in most properties, but what if you need or want new ones? CSM South is happy to offer some guidance on this subject of buying new room telephones for your phone system. When it comes to hotel or hospitality room phones, although there are MANY choices, they can at least be broadly grouped into two types. First, there are the traditional tried and true analog varieties that any hotel guest would be familiar with. Second, there are the new VoIP phones which include anything from large color screens to integrated weather apps. So, for your hotel or inn, which room telephone type is best?

Things to consider when purchasing room telephones for your hotel

Perhaps the most important consideration is cost vs functionality. A standard analog room phone will be functional and have basic speed dials to locations such as the restaurant, front desk, and housekeeping. Speed dial buttons range from 2 to as many as 14. The cost of an analog phone is generally very low- typically around $30. However, functionality is limited to the traditional feature set detailed above. For most hotels, this is adequate and meets the specifications of their flag and keeps capital costs lower for newly constructed or acquired properties.

If management or your flag, however, desires or requires advanced features or -dare we say “beauty”- then VoIP room phones can fit the bill. The ability to add applications, or “Apps” to the phones is nearly unlimited and can include things such as the weather, in-house advertisements, photos, and nearly anything else. However, all this flash does come at a cost that can add up significantly. Not only is there a figure associated with the phone itself, but the programming to add applications (if desired), if not performed by hotel staff, can become remarkably high. Additionally, because these room phones are VoIP, they do need to operate on a data cable rather than a traditional CAT 3 phone cable. Alternatively, some VoIP telephones can be WiFi enabled, using the wireless network of the property and negating the need for cables entirely. CSM can help identify if your hotel is ready for VoIP.

Manufacturers of Room Phones

Many of the makers of hotel room phones have been in business for several decades. Firrerent flags have different approved vendors, but broadly, the followin list is approved for the major brands:

• V-Tech– Founded in 1976, V-Tech is the worlds largest manufacturer of cordless telephones and electronic learning products.
• Cetis– A privately held, US corporation, Cetis introduced the first hotel room phone with a faceplate and programmable guest service key, way back in 1982.
• Teledex– Designed and engineered in America, Europe, and China specifically for hospitality applications, Teledex brand hotel phones are available in 7 distinct phone design families and over 50 model options.
• Inn-phones– Featuring a 100% satisfaction guarantee, Inn- phone produces analog, VoIP, and cordless telephones specifically for the hospitality market.

Each of these manufacturers have different lines of room telephones in both analog and VoIP versions- anything from basic to highly functional is available. Most also come in several colors including platinum, white, grey, black, or silver.

Where does CSM South Install Room Telephones for Hotels?

CSM has installed thousands of new room telephones in all manner of hotel properties. We have recently sold and delivered new room telephones for a new Choice property in Miami, Hilton brands in Jacksonville and Bradenton, a boutique property in Pensacola, and an independent resort in Ft Lauderdale. Rest assured, if your hotel is located in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, or Texas, CSM can work with you!

This is, of course, just a quick primer on how to choose a hotel room phone. Contact CSM to speak more about the options and the best choice for your hotel.

[formidable id=”2″ title=”1″]