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Hotel Lobby Music: 15 Playlists to Welcome Guests
The right hotel lobby music does more than fill silence—it sets the mood, enhances guest experiences, and creates lasting impressions. Whether it’s relaxing piano music or upbeat pop hits, music can define your hotel’s atmosphere. It helps keep guests coming back, and it can even boost employee morale and retention, making music a crucial element of your establishment.
At Soundtrack, we've curated playlists to elevate every hotel space, from bustling lobbies to serene pools and chic lounges. Let’s explore 15 playlists designed to relax, inspire, and delight your guests.
Posted on January 31, 2025
Best hotel lobby music playlists
1. Check-In Pop
Featuring: Pop and singer-songwriter favorites
Set a warm, inviting tone with hits from Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Childish Gambino. This playlist creates a tranquil atmosphere perfect for welcoming guests.
2. Acoustic Lobby
Featuring: Acoustic pop covers from famous singer-songwriters
Create an inclusive, relaxed vibe with stripped-down acoustic covers of songs by John Mayer, Jack Johnson, and Colbie Caillat. This mix blends familiarity with soothing acoustics.
3. Piano In The Lobby
Featuring: Instrumental piano covers from across the decades
Elegant piano renditions of classics like "Hey Jude" and modern hits like Coldplay’s "Viva la Vida" add sophistication to your space, perfect for every moment.
Tips for choosing the best hotel lobby music
The lobby is the first space your guests will see (and hear), so here are some tips for setting the soundscape.
Set the first impression: Use welcoming, neutral music that appeals to a broad audience, such as acoustic pop or piano covers.
Adjust for time of day: Choose upbeat tunes during peak hours and mellow tracks for quieter periods.
Match the brand: Reflect your hotel’s personality—luxury hotels might use elegant classical music, while boutique hotels might opt for indie or jazz music.
Best hotel bar and lounge music playlists
4. Hotel Lounge
Featuring: Chill lounge music
Smooth jazz and downtempo tracks create a luxurious, relaxed vibe ideal for bar or lounge settings.
5. Hotel Beats
Featuring: Lofi chill-hop
Instrumental beats provide a modern, calming atmosphere that pairs urban energy with hotel comfort. This playlist sets the perfect ambiance for guests enjoying a cocktail or relaxing after a day of travel, sightseeing, or business meetings.
6. Bossa in the Lobby
Featuring: Retro bossa nova
Add a touch of samba-inspired charm with melodic rhythms that invite guests to unwind and chat. A throwback to the sounds of Rio de Janeiro in the 1950s, this warm and gentle playlist will put bar and lounge patrons in the mood to linger and keep ordering caipirinhas.
Tips for choosing the best bar and hotel lounge music
Bars and lounges should be inviting spaces for your guests to unwind and mingle. Here are tips for choosing the best soundtrack.
Create atmosphere: Select smooth jazz, lounge beats, or chill electronic music to complement a relaxed, sophisticated vibe.
Get people talking: Keep the volume low to facilitate comfortable socializing.
Align with themes: If the bar has a theme (e.g., rustic, tropical), pick music that matches.
Best hotel restaurant music playlists
7. Family-friendly Hotel
Featuring: Mainstream pop hits for all audiences
A lively mix of crowd-pleasers ensures a welcoming space for guests of all ages, featuring Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, and Post Malone. This playlist is curated to be suitable for all ages, and Soundtrack’s explicit lyrics filter can ensure any playlist suits the audience.
8. Cozy Bed & Breakfast
Featuring: Soulful pop vibes
Warm and intimate, this playlist blends soul, pop, and singer-songwriter magic to suit any meal or moment. Includes tracks from Shawn Mendes, Sade, She & Him, and other artists that pair perfectly with coffee and comfort food.
9. Hotel Covers
Featuring: Acoustic reimaginings of beloved hits
Relaxing, familiar melodies from Harry Styles, Adele, and Whitney Houston provide a comforting and stylish backdrop while guests dine or socialize.
Tips for choosing the best hotel restaurant music
Guests should want to visit your hotel restaurant, and the right soundtrack can attract hungry patrons even if they’re in a new city full of exciting options.
Enhance the dining experience: Opt for soothing instrumental or light jazz during dinner service to complement the meal.
Adapt for crowds: Use upbeat music during brunch or family hours and quieter tunes during intimate dining periods.
Consider acoustics: Choose tracks that won’t clash with the natural sounds of dining, like clinking plates or chatter.
Best hotel pool music playlists
10. Poolside Lounge
Featuring: Breezy electronic grooves
Chilled-out EDM and house mixed with tropical beats brings a sophisticated vibe perfect for poolside stress relief.
11. Miami Beach Hotel
Featuring: Latin, salsa, and traditional classics
Infuse energy and culture with salsa, son, and rhumba, featuring icons like Buena Vista Social Club and Compay Segundo. A perfect complement to a sunny afternoon or warm night at the hotel pool.
12. Zen Retreat
Featuring: Relaxing, ambient instrumental music
For a serene oasis, this playlist creates a tranquil environment with lush, meditative soundscapes. Elevate your hotel pool to give your guests a relaxation getaway.
Tips for choosing the best hotel pool music
Your hotel pool will host families, romantic couples, business travelers, groups of friends, and solo vacationers. Give them all warm pool memories with the right soundtrack.
Relaxation meets energy: Use breezy tropical house, bossa nova, or light electronic to set a laid-back yet upbeat mood.
Seasonal adjustments: Reflect summer vibes with lively beats or tranquil tunes during cooler months. And during the holidays, wish your guests a Mele Kalikimaka with a festive Christmas music playlist.
Balance genres: Mix soft, chill-out rhythms with occasional uplifting tracks for variety.
Best hotel elevator music playlists
13. Concierge Jazz
Featuring: Timeless jazz tunes
Make guests feel at ease and welcome while adding a touch of elegance—and saxophone. Elevate the experience with smooth, relaxing music perfect for short rides and first impressions.
14. Boutique Hotel
Featuring: Indie pop beats
Dynamic and modern, this playlist mixes indie charm with upbeat tempos for a chic elevator vibe while offering your guests something a bit unexpected.
15. Hotel Chill
Featuring: Lofi tracks
Your guests’ time in the elevator is part of their stay. These soft beats and mellow rhythms create a cozy ambiance that makes every moment feel special.
Tips for choosing the best hotel elevator music
Elevator music doesn’t have to be boring and outdated. Set the right tone for your guests as they travel up to their rooms or down for a day of sightseeing.
Keep it light: Use calming, instrumental tunes like jazzy or lofi beats to create a soothing experience.
Short and sweet: Opt for tracks that work well in short loops, as rides are brief.
Avoid overwhelm: Choose non-intrusive music that subtly enhances the atmosphere without drawing too much attention.
The power of music in hospitality
The right music transforms any hotel space into a memorable experience. From welcoming guests with inviting pop tunes to creating a serene poolside atmosphere with tropical beats, every playlist is an opportunity to craft your brand identity and enhance your guest experience. With these carefully curated music selections, you can ensure your hotel leaves a lasting impression on every visitor.
Hotel Lobby Music FAQ
Here are answers to common questions about hotel lobby music. If we don’t answer your question here, see our Helpcenter or contact us.
1. Why is background music important in hotels?
Background music sets the tone for the guest experience, creating a welcoming, relaxing, or luxurious atmosphere. It influences mood, enhances brand identity, and encourages positive first impressions.
2. Does lobby music need to match the hotel's brand?
Absolutely. Research shows that brand fit music has a powerful impact on commercial environments. However, to get the full benefits of playing background music in a hotel lobby, restaurant, bar, or anywhere else, it’s essential that the music fits the company’s brand. Music that aligns with the hotel’s brand can connect with their target clientele and reinforce the hotel’s identity—whether it’s upscale and elegant, modern and vibrant, or casual and family-friendly.
Does hotel lobby music help with sales?
Yes, background music in hotel lobbies can positively impact sales. Music sets the tone for a guest's experience, influencing mood and perceptions. For example, the right mix of well-known and obscure brand-fit tracks in your restaurant can increase sales by 9.1%.
A well-curated soundtrack creates a welcoming environment that encourages longer stays, additional purchases, and positive reviews, all of which contribute to higher revenue.
What music is played in hotel lobbies?
Hotel lobbies often feature soothing, sophisticated music that matches the brand and atmosphere. Common choices include acoustic covers, instrumental jazz, classical piano, chill lounge beats, and ambient soundscapes tailored to evoke calm and luxury.
What is the best music for hotels?
The best music for hotels depends on the setting and clientele. For lobbies, aim for mellow and inclusive tracks. Bars may benefit from jazzy or upbeat lounge music, while restaurants often thrive with soft, unobtrusive melodies. For pools, relaxed electronic or tropical beats are ideal, and elevators often play calming or instrumental tunes.
How often should lobby playlists be updated?
Playlists should be refreshed regularly to keep the music feeling fresh and relevant, aligning with seasonal themes or changing guest demographics. And your staff will appreciate some variety in the background music, especially at Christmas time.
Can background music boost guest satisfaction?
Yes. Thoughtful music choices can make guests feel comfortable and appreciated, potentially leading to longer stays, repeat bookings, and five-star reviews.
Are there legal considerations for playing lobby music?
Yes, consumer platforms like Spotify or YouTube are not licensed for commercial use. Hotels need platforms like Soundtrack with proper public performance licenses to play music legally.
Who owns the rights to hotel lobby music?
The rights to hotel lobby music are typically managed by performing rights organizations (PROs) or collective management organizations (CMOs), depending on the region.
For U.S. and Canadian hotels: Licenses are generally obtained through PROs such as ASCAP, BMI, and GMR. Soundtrack handles these licensing needs automatically for their users.
For international hotels: Music licensing depends on local PROs, and Soundtrack operates in approximately 80 countries, ensuring compliance with the relevant organizations.
By handling all the necessary licenses for the relevant PROsand CMOs, Soundtrack simplifies legal music use for businesses globally—and allows hotel management to focus on other tasks without worrying about costly fees or other legal action.
How Soundtrack can help
No matter the type of hotel you run or the guests you serve, Soundtrack offers the tools to create the perfect ambiance. Choose from over 1,300 expertly curated playlists, design your own from scratch, or let the AI Playlist Creator craft a brand-aligned soundtrack from a library of more than 100 million tracks.
Preschedule playlists and play different music in different zones, like warm music for the pool and chill music for the lounge.
It can be against the terms and conditions to publicly stream music from consumer platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, and Sirius XM, in a commercial setting. Those platforms aren’t licensed for business use. However, all music on Soundtrack is fully licensed for commercial settings, ensuring a seamless, ad-free, and legal listening experience.
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