Online Booking Software: Hoteliers want to make a positive impression with guests and a good booking system – one that easily interacts with customers at their initial touch point and their preferred access method – is key. eMarketer's latest estimates of digital travel research and booking forecast 51.8% of travelers who book trips via digital means will do so using a mobile device, up from 43.8% in 2015. Investing in this first contact will help with assuring a good customer journey. There are also add-on software components that could be considered such as concierge software that can allow frequent travelers to order up the type of pillow they prefer to have ready for check-in.

Mobile Offerings: Mobile bookings are almost expected – but there are new technologies leveraging people's reliance on their mobile devices. Investments for self-service options such as mobile check-in, check-out and mobile keyless entry. Collecting mobile data like location-based services and combining that data with reservation software can increase revenues by offering upsell opportunities such as early check-in or late check-out for additional fees.

Wi-Fi Service: One of the biggest and probably most requested and expected areas of focus has been in providing better and more secure Wi-Fi service for guests. This is important for guests while in their rooms working, uploading photos, or surfing the web as well as supporting usage while outside on the property.

POS and IT Network Upgrades: Network upgrades, improvements to support mobile payment security, and bandwidth for increased Wi-Fi all take a sizeable investment and have become a critical line-item for hotel budgets. A shift from on-premise to the cloud, as hotels contemplate these network investments, is sure to be one area of focus as well. Although hotels have been slow to adopt cloud computing, it can significantly improve operational costs. Another major change on a global basis is that the U.S. in the last few years is installing new POS systems that accept chip-based credit and debit cards. This will improve security for guests and reduce financial liability for the hotels.

In-Room Technology Upgrades: Besides Wi-Fi bandwidth, hotel room upgrades are the most visible to the average traveler. Large smart televisions, mounted on the wall with 100 cable channels, in-room movies, check-out service, etc. are the norm. Oftentimes you can find alarm clocks with built-in sound systems and smartphone chargers in the room. The mini fridge has become a mini bar that can tell which snacks or drinks you consumed and automatically charge your room, and smart panels near the bed allow you to adjust lights and open or close curtains.