A wireless access point (AP) for hotel operations might seem like a small and inconsequential component that doesn’t require much thought. But in today’s interconnected world, where travelers demand that information and personalized service always be instantly available, the need for hotel access points to provide a fast and reliable internet connection has never been as important.
From guests’ personal devices to in-room smart thermostats, streaming platforms, and property backend systems, access points are counted on to support the growing online needs of technologies that are critical to ensuring guest satisfaction.
With such high stakes, Touchstone 1’s connectivity expert and Chief Technology Officer, Rafael van den Berg recently sat down to provide insight into how hotels can avoid potential pitfalls when planning an effective hotel wireless access point strategy.
What Are Access Points and How Do They Work?
Despite often going unnoticed, hotel access point hardware serves as the vital wireless bridge allowing data and communications to travel seamlessly between network-connected devices and the internet.
By being directly connected to a wired router or switch, each access point works by extending reliable Wi-Fi network coverage to areas within range of that access point.
Where Should Hotel Access Points Be Placed?
Proximity to connected devices is a key factor for effective access point performance.
As Rafael points out, “Devices in close range of the access point enjoy far more reliable connectivity.”
This means that, ideally, access points should be installed as close as possible to each connected device.
Hotels should also recognize that simply upgrading the network won’t deliver noticeable improvements if there aren’t enough access points to deliver the strong, consistent Wi-Fi signal that guest devices require.
“A lot of brands now require an access point in every single or every other guestroom for a legitimate and practical reason,” Rafael adds.
5 Hotel Access Point Best Practices
With a current estimated value of $5.69 billion, the wireless access point market undoubtedly features a wide range of options for hotel operators. Yet too many choices can often lead to confusion when trying to find the best fit for a hospitality property’s needs or situation.
Here are Rafael’s top tips to help steer properties in the right direction:
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Implement a Converged Network
Converged networking allows hotels to run guest Wi-Fi, staff networks, IoT devices (like smart locks and TVs), and back-office systems all on one unified wireless infrastructure. Rather than maintaining separate networks and hardware for each, everything converges onto shared access points and switches — delivering reliable connectivity for guests while keeping operations secure and efficient.
Competing radio frequencies create communication noise at properties, Rafael explains, but by running all traffic over the same network, hoteliers can eliminate this interference and improve connectivity.
“Implementing a converged network for hotel access points cleans up any possible signal interference while making daily support tasks much easier to carry out,” he says.
A converged network also provides an advantage for properties aiming to streamline operations and guest services with IoT and smart technology.
When using access points able to support common radio frequency standards such as Bluetooth or Zigbee, Rafael points out, you can manage everything seamlessly through one interconnected and streamlined network — from door locks to sensors and thermostats. Using a single network that handles communications for multiple systems also means considerably less management time and maintenance.
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Opt for Strategically Placed Wall-Mounted Access Points in Guest Rooms
In hotels, especially those prioritizing high-density coverage per room, wall-mounted access points offer several practical advantages. They allow for precise placement to minimize obstructions (like furniture or interior walls) that could weaken Wi-Fi signals, while also reducing risks of tampering, theft, or accidental damage compared to more exposed locations.
Wall mounting is particularly cost-effective and manageable in guest-room-heavy environments. Rafael notes that maintaining a high density of access points — ideally one per room or suite — greatly simplifies network management through consistent, uniform placement.
He adds, “Radio frequencies follow specific orientation and waveform patterns, so using the same type of access point consistently helps avoid weak signals, latency spikes, or inconsistent performance across the property.”
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Lean on 5GHz and 6GHz Access Point Technology
“Hoteliers set themselves up for immediate network improvement and longevity well into the future if they decide to go with 5GHz or 6GHz compatible APs instead of the legacy 2.4 GHz-based hardware,” says Rafael.
Use of 2.4GHz should be limited as much as possible as it operates on a crowded frequency band often shared with microwaves, baby monitors, and a lot of other devices that can cause extensive interference.
In comparison, 6GHz APs provide an additional 1,200 MHz of new radio frequency spectrum. This expanded capacity not only offers more bandwidth but also significantly reduces signal interference. As a result, 6GHz APs create an ideal environment for high-performance devices while ensuring scalability and future-proofing.
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Use Enterprise Grade Equipment
While hotels can be forgiven for trying to find a good deal, it never pays to cut corners when it comes to the quality of network hardware, including access points for hotels. As a network technician with decades of experience specializing in hotel environments, Rafael routinely cautions against using hardware intended for homes or small offices.
“I recommend adopting enterprise-grade equipment for all aspects of a hotel network whenever possible,” he says. “Going enterprise often means gaining access to more robust equipment that can handle higher traffic volumes and resource demands. It also typically results in a longer lifetime for the equipment, with fewer breakdowns in service that can otherwise grind everything to a halt.”
Rafael adds that enterprise AP solution providers typically offer more efficient Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) programs as well: “You don’t have to wait for a replacement while shipping back a damaged or malfunctioning access point, which can significantly reduce downtime as well as minimize the impact on operations and guests.”
Rafael points out that hotel networks, being considerably more complex than the average home, also benefit from enterprise-grade APs because they offer advanced features that can be customized for various use-case goals.
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Explore OpenWiFi for Enterprise-Grade Performance at a Fraction of the Cost
As hotels face rising demands for reliable, high-capacity networks to support guest devices, smart IoT integrations (locks, TVs, sensors), and seamless connectivity, OpenWiFi offers a game-changing alternative: enterprise-grade Wi-Fi without the enterprise price tag.
OpenWiFi — driven by the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) — uses a disaggregated, open architecture that separates hardware from software. This means hotels can deploy “white-box” access points which incorporate the same enterprise-grade chips and internals (e.g., Qualcomm, Broadcom, or MediaTek silicon) found in high-end branded APs from the top enterprise Wi-Fi vendors. The key difference? No massive branding premium, no proprietary lock-in, and no inflated costs.
You’re essentially getting hardware with comparable Wi-Fi performance, throughput, reliability, and features — often validated for enterprise use cases — at a fraction of the cost of traditional branded solutions.
Industry analyses show OpenWiFi can slash hardware CapEx significantly and reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) over 5 years by avoiding licensing fees, vendor-specific support contracts, and forced upgrades.
“OpenWiFi platforms eliminate the need to be married to a particular brand or type of access point,” Rafael explains. “Hoteliers can collaborate with reputable manufacturers to ensure product durability, while potentially lowering purchase and ownership costs significantly.”
Compatible control platforms, like Touchstone 1’s FUSION Platform, integrate seamlessly with OpenWiFi ecosystems, further driving down expenses — often by 20–30% or more through competitive hardware choices and streamlined management.
“Reducing the cost of ownership opens doors to hoteliers who previously couldn’t afford a higher quality or more robust network infrastructure,” Rafael says.
As OpenWiFi matures — with growing adoption in hospitality, proven Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 support, and an expanding ecosystem of certified hardware — higher-density deployments (e.g., 1:1 or 1:2 access-point-to-guestroom ratios) become far more achievable and budget-friendly.
With guest expectations for fast, dependable Wi-Fi continuing to climb amid exploding device counts, OpenWiFi emerges as a smart, disruptive choice: true enterprise performance, minus the premium pricing.
Maximizing Wireless Hotel Access Point Performance
Whether it’s choosing the most optimal band frequency, reducing interference, or exploring open-source options, the right approach to access point implementation can make all the difference in improving the reliability of your guest Wi-Fi and thus the quality of your guest experience.
Touchstone 1 (formerly, Hotel Internet Services) delivers a higher level of connection with more than two decades of experience. Through it all, we’ve never lost sight of the human part of the technological equation. With our TV Casting in-room entertainment solution and hospitality WiFi solutions, we offer the most advanced technology available — human intellect, judgment, and foresight — as well as real support before, during, and long after install. Contact us today to learn more.