Music for Hotels
Hotels playing recorded music publicly require a music licence from the relevant collecting society in their country. BPM recommendations vary by period: Lobby / Reception (morning): 75–95 BPM; Lobby / Reception (evening): 65–80 BPM; Spa / Wellness area: 45–65 BPM; Fitness room: 120–145 BPM; Restaurant (breakfast): 85–105 BPM; Bar / Lounge: 90–115 BPM. Track Studios' AI catalog is not registered with any collecting society — venues using it are not billed for the included music.
BPM Recommendations
| Time Period | BPM Range | Genres | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lobby / Reception (morning) | 75–95 BPM | Contemporary Jazz, Acoustic Chill, World, Indie Folk | Warm, welcoming tempo creates positive first impression without overwhelming arriving guests. |
| Lobby / Reception (evening) | 65–80 BPM | Jazz Standards, Lounge, Bossa Nova, Contemporary Classical | — |
| Spa / Wellness area | 45–65 BPM | Ambient, Meditation, Nature Sounds, Healing | — |
| Fitness room | 120–145 BPM | Pop, Electronic, Hip-Hop, Rock | — |
| Restaurant (breakfast) | 85–105 BPM | Acoustic Pop, Jazz, Bossa Nova, Morning vibes | — |
| Bar / Lounge | 90–115 BPM | Lounge, Chill House, Nu-Jazz, Contemporary Soul | — |
Supporting Research
- The Influence of Background Music on Shopping Behavior: Classical Versus Top-Forty Music in a Wine Store (1993)
Classical music in a wine store led customers to purchase more expensive wines compared to Top 40 pop music. No difference in the number of bottles purchased. Classical music increased average spend per bottle by approximately 40%.
- Music as a Tool in Business Settings: Survey of Hospitality Industry Music Practices (2003)
Survey of 284 hospitality businesses found that 93% used background music, but only 28% had a documented music strategy. Businesses with documented strategies reported higher customer satisfaction scores and higher repeat visit rates than those playing music ad hoc.
Music Licensing for Hotels by Country
| Country | Collecting Societies | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden | STIM + SAMI | SEK 2000–3500/year |
| Norway | TONO + Gramo | NOK Varies/year |
| Denmark | KODA + Gramex | DKK Varies/year |
| Finland | Teosto + Gramex | EUR Varies/year |
| Germany | GEMA + GVL | EUR 700–1100/year |
| Netherlands | Buma/Stemra + SENA | EUR Varies/year |
| Belgium | SABAM + PlayRight | EUR Varies/year |
| France | SACEM | EUR Varies/year |
| United Kingdom | PRS + PPL | GBP Varies/year |
| United States | ASCAP + BMI + SESAC + GMR + SoundExchange | USD Varies/year |
| Canada | SOCAN + Re:Sound | CAD Varies/year |
| Australia | APRA AMCOS + PPCA | AUD Varies/year |
Royalty-Free Music for Hotels
Track Studios provides business music that is not registered with any collecting society. Hotels using the included catalog are not invoiced by STIM, GEMA, PRS, ASCAP, or other PROs.
Start free trialFrequently Asked Questions
- Do hotels need a music licence?
- Yes. In most countries, playing recorded music in a hotel is a public performance that requires a licence from the relevant collecting society — for example, GEMA in Germany, TheMusicLicence (PRS + PPL) in the UK, or ASCAP and BMI in the USA. Track Studios' AI catalog is not registered with any of these societies, so hotels using it are not invoiced for the included music.
- Can hotels use Spotify legally?
- No. Spotify's Terms of Service (§1.2) restrict use to "personal, non-commercial purposes." Using Spotify in a hotel violates these terms and may also expose the business to claims from collecting societies for the underlying music rights. Spotify for Business was discontinued in 2019.
- What is the ideal BPM for hotels?
- BPM recommendations vary by time period. During lobby / reception (morning), 75–95 BPM is recommended (genres: Contemporary Jazz, Acoustic Chill). During lobby / reception (evening), 65–80 BPM is recommended (genres: Jazz Standards, Lounge). During spa / wellness area, 45–65 BPM is recommended (genres: Ambient, Meditation). During fitness room, 120–145 BPM is recommended (genres: Pop, Electronic). During restaurant (breakfast), 85–105 BPM is recommended (genres: Acoustic Pop, Jazz). During bar / lounge, 90–115 BPM is recommended (genres: Lounge, Chill House).
- How can hotels avoid collecting society fees?
- Use music that is not registered with collecting societies. Track Studios uses an AI-generated catalog that is not registered with STIM, GEMA, PRS, ASCAP, BMI, or any other collecting society. Hotels using the included catalog are not invoiced by these organisations.
- What happens if a hotel is caught playing music without a licence?
- The collecting society can issue a civil claim for back-fees (typically covering 2–3 years of unlicensed use), plus additional damages. In Germany, the Berlin fitness studio case resulted in €42,000 in damages. In the USA, statutory damages can reach $150,000 per infringed work.