UNITED STATES · HOTEL OPERATIONS

Digital Hotel Compendium and In-Room Directory for US Hotels

Digital guest directory buyer's guide

What belongs in a digital hotel compendium?

Treat the directory as an accurate guest information source, then make relevant services actionable. A QR code should lead guests to current facilities and service details—not an out-of-date PDF.

Guest essentials

Check-in/out guidance, Wi-Fi information where appropriate, quiet hours, emergency procedures and hotel contact details.

Property information

Breakfast hours, dining location, pool or spa opening times, accessibility information and transport details.

Optional service actions

Link guests to configured room dining or housekeeping requests where supported, rather than promising every facility has an automated integration.

Before publishing your in-room QR directory

Assign an owner for operating hours and guest information updates.
Test on a guest smartphone without hotel Wi-Fi or an app install.
Offer a practical alternative for guests who cannot use QR codes.
Confirm facilities, fees and contact details are accurate.
Verify what happens after a guest selects a service.
Review privacy notices and access controls appropriate to the hotel.

Hotel guest service software QR and guest app comparison Hotel QR ordering

Definition

Compendium vs. directory vs. guest guide: UK hotels say “compendium”, US hotels usually say “in-room directory” or “guest services directory”. They are the same thing: one place for property information.

Illustrative workflow. The product demo uses sample data.

How it works, step by step

Start from Hotel Essentials
A predefined draft gives common facilities to edit.
Add facility details
Category, text, HTTPS image URL, location, weekly hours, time zone and temporary closure.
Publish
Only published facilities are returned to guests; drafts stay private.
Guest views
Room-context guest Home lists facilities with a detail view.
Link a service
Optionally link a facility to a bookable or requestable service.

What the product does, and what it does not

Capabilities and limits
Area	Detail
Content	Facilities with hours, location, closure notice, optional image URL
Updates	Edit once, live for every room without reprinting
Limits	Image by HTTPS URL (no uploader); hours show configured intervals, not a live “open now”
Languages	Guest UI follows existing locale support; verify your languages

US use cases

Pool or breakfast hours that change by season
Temporary closures (elevator, gym maintenance) without reprinting binders
Franchise hotels that must keep brand-standard information current
Hotels removing shared binders for housekeeping time

Hiring and keeping hourly hotel staff in the US is expensive, so a request flow that does not depend on someone answering the phone saves time you can measure. Model your own numbers with the room service revenue calculator or the ROI calculator.

Compare software types (not vendors)

Approaches to in-stay guest service in US hotels
Approach	Guest access	Hotel-side workflow	Typical trade-off
Phone line + paper menu	Call the front desk or kitchen	Handwritten ticket, verbal handoff	Low cost, but no audit trail and busy lines at peak
Static QR / PDF menu	Scan to view a PDF	None, orders still by phone	Cheap to print; no order routing or room context
In-room tablets	Dedicated device per room	Usually vendor-managed	Hardware purchase, charging, theft and cleaning overhead
Branded guest app	Download and log in	Varies by vendor	Download friction for one-night US stays
Browser-based room QR platform (DigitalRoomService)	Scan the room QR, no download	Command Center, KDS, staff tasks, room billing records	Needs reliable Wi-Fi/cellular and a hotel setup pass

General categories, not claims about any named vendor. Evaluate each product on its own documentation.

US pricing in USD (from the published catalog)

Plans are a fixed price per property, billed annually or quarterly, and sized by the maximum number of rooms. There is no per-order fee in the plan price. The launch terms include a 30-day trial.

DigitalRoomService US plans (catalog 2026-10-19)
Plan	Annual	Quarterly	Rooms	Staff	KDS screens	Per room/month*
Essential	$499/yr	$179/qtr	10	4	1	$4.16
Signature	$999/yr	$349/qtr	25	8	2	$3.33
Elite	$1,799/yr	$599/qtr	50	15	4	$3.00
Grand	$2,999/yr	$999/qtr	99	30	6	$2.52
Royal	$4,499/yr	$1,499/qtr	149	50	10	$2.52
Royal Plus	$6,499/yr	$2,099/qtr	250	80	15	$2.17

*Comparison only: annual price ÷ 12 ÷ maximum rooms, assuming full capacity. This is not usage billing. Royal Plus activation is subject to a capacity review; confirm availability. Prices can change; see the live pricing page.

Frequently asked questions

Is a digital compendium the same as a guest app?

No download is needed. It opens in the browser from the room QR.

Can I show opening hours?

Yes, weekly hours with a time zone. It shows configured intervals and does not yet calculate a validated live “open now” status.

Can I add photos?

Yes, by HTTPS image URL. A file uploader and multi-image galleries are not included.

Does it replace my PMS messaging?

No. It is in-room information and requests, not pre-arrival or SMS messaging.

Related US hotel guides

See the guest journey for yourself.

Experience Demo Book a Demo

A hotel compendium can become a useful concierge entry point

Keep information browsing separate from operational requests while giving guests a clear path to both.

Guest need	Recommended content or action	Content owner
Find opening hours	Restaurant, facilities and reception service details	Hotel manager or front-desk lead
Read house policies	Check-out instructions, parking, quiet hours and contacts	Property operations
Request towels or cleaning	Link to the configured guest request catalogue	Housekeeping or assigned team
Order room service	Link to the room-aware hotel QR menu	Food and beverage lead
Need accessible help	Display a non-QR contact option	Front desk