The importance of video on demand in Hotels

Lavinia CC.

Communication Manager

April 4, 2025
VOD

A personalized experience and an exclusive service

In 4- and 5-star hotels and Palaces, attention to detail and the quality of the guest experience make all the difference. Video On Demand (VOD) is not just an entertainment option but a key element in ensuring comfort, exclusivity, and personalization.

DirectStreams has developed a VOD system designed to offer the best in terms of selection, usability, and seamless integration with the hotel’s operational needs. Every detail has been carefully crafted to elevate the guest’s stay and turn it into a unique experience aligned with the high standards of luxury hospitality.

Luxury and personalization in the VOD experience

A stay in a high-end hotel is synonymous with exclusivity, and VOD must reflect this philosophy. Offering guests a carefully curated selection of movies, elevates the entertainment experience to the next level. It’s not just about providing a vast catalogue but about offering meticulously chosen titles, updated monthly and available as early as three months after their theatrical release.

Moreover, the quality of the visual experience is ensured through an intuitive and modern interface, featuring advanced navigation options that make content selection seamless and engaging. The elegant and minimalist design allows guests to quickly browse the catalogue without distractions, thanks to a well-organized and clear menu system. With cutting-edge technology, browsing through titles is extremely responsive, with no loading delays, ensuring a fully immersive experience.

Accessing content requires just a few clicks, thanks to an interface optimized for ease of use: categories are logically structured, movies come with detailed descriptions, and advanced search features allow guests to find their desired content instantly. Additionally, the ability to resume playback exactly where it was left off, along with dynamic subtitle and language options, completes an experience designed for maximum guest comfort and satisfaction.

Operational efficiency: managing and monetizing VOD

Beyond providing a premium experience for guests, VOD represents a valuable opportunity for hotels.

A key aspect is the ability to choose whether to offer on-demand movies as complimentary or paid content. DirectStreams provides this flexibility, allowing hotels to offer both free and paid content. In the latter case, our system enables direct billing to the guest’s room account without requiring credit card input. This is made possible through seamless integration with the hotel’s PMS, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.

Moreover, hotels can leverage VOD as a loyalty tool. Offering returning guests an access to personalized movie categories can become a distinctive feature of the property, turning a simple entertainment service into a strategic added value for customer retention.

The strategic choice of VOD: an added value over streaming platforms

Choosing to include VOD as part of the hotel’s offering is a key decision that adds significant value. Guests can enjoy both the convenience of accessing their own streaming subscriptions via Chromecast or AirPlay—already integrated into the system—and an extensive selection of movies available exclusively on demand. These titles are meticulously curated for a discerning clientele, designed to impress and enhance the exclusivity of their stay. Guests have the opportunity to step outside their ‘comfort zone,’ discovering exclusive content and unreleased films that they wouldn’t find on their usual streaming platforms.

After all, a vacation is not just about comfort; it’s also about experiencing new things that enrich and make the stay more special. VOD allows hotels to offer a unique advantage over traditional streaming platforms by differentiating themselves in quality, content selection, and personalized service.

The importance of VOD for all guests: beyond standard technology

Choosing to integrate VOD into the hotel’s IPTV system is far from trivial. While many people now use Netflix, Chromecast, or AirPlay, not all guests—especially older ones—are familiar with these technologies. Many prefer the simplicity of selecting a movie directly from the hotel’s catalog, instantly and without the need for any setup. Providing an intuitive and accessible alternative ensures tailored entertainment for every guest, without exclusions.

Furthermore, the selection of films offered by DirectStreams’ VOD catalog is significantly broader than that of common streaming platforms. These movies are updated monthly and made available just three months after their theatrical release, with the added option to customize the selection and include more niche catalogs, such as auteur films or various types of documentaries. This allows hotels to provide exclusive content that is difficult to find elsewhere.

On top of this, thematic experiences can be created: movie packages dedicated to specific genres, seasonal film festivals, or exclusive selections for special events organized within the hotel. VOD thus becomes an integral part of the hotel’s offering, helping to create a unique and engaging atmosphere.

In the end, integrating VOD into the IPTV system is not just about entertainment—it’s an investment in the guest experience and the value of the hotel. With DirectStreams, hotels can offer an exclusive, highly customizable service that is seamlessly integrated into operational management, ensuring a stay that reflects the expectations of contemporary luxury. VOD is no longer just an extra feature but a distinctive element that transforms entertainment into an unforgettable experience!

Our know-how at the service of your hotels