Wi-Fi setup for hotels using UniFi

Using UniFi for your hotel Wi-Fi setup is a great choice. It's the go-to option given its scalability, robust performance, and advanced management features. I'd certainly advise you to go ahead with this. Hence, we'll explore how to set it up in this guide

This guide should help you establish an efficient and guest-friendly Wi-Fi network.

Let's dive in!

Table of Contents

• Requirements for a hotel Wi-Fi Network
• Setting up a hotel Wi-Fi Network with UniFi
• Final Thoughts

Requirements for a hotel Wi-Fi Network

Before diving into the setup, it's crucial to understand the specific needs of a hotel Wi-Fi network. These include:

1. Coverage: Ensure Wi-Fi is accessible in all areas, including guest rooms, lobbies, conference rooms, and other common areas.
2. Capacity: The network should handle a high number of concurrent users, given the potential number of guests and devices.
3. Guest Access: Easy and secure guest login procedures are essential.
4. Performance: Consistent and high-speed internet is expected by guests.
5. Management: The network should be easy to manage and monitor.

The UniFi network thicks all the above boxes. Now let's get to the setup!

UniFi Hotel Setup

Setting up a hotel Wi-Fi Network with UniFi

1. Plan Your Network Layout:

   • Conduct a hotel site survey to determine the optimal placement of access points (APs) for the best coverage.
   • Consider factors like wall materials, the number of floors, and the layout of the hotel.

2. Select the Right UniFi Hardware:

   • Choose UniFi APs suitable for high-density environments, like the UniFi AP HD or SHD.
   • Consider using UniFi switches for efficient network management.
   • A UniFi Security Gateway can be used for routing and security.

3. Install the UniFi Controller:

   • The UniFi Controller software is essential for network management.
   • You can host the Controller on a local server, a Cloud Key, or use a cloud-based service like UniHosted. We provide expert management and support for UniFi Controllers. Currently, there a multiple hotels that use our service to host their UniFi controller. Check out how it works here.

4. Deploy Access Points:

   • Based on your hotel site survey, strategically place and mount the APs.
   • Ensure APs in guest rooms are positioned for optimal signal strength and minimal interference.

5. Configure the Network:

   • Use the UniFi Controller to configure your network settings.
   • Set up multiple SSIDs if needed, such as separate networks for guests, staff, and management.

6. Set Up Guest Access:

   • Implement a guest network with bandwidth limits and guest policies to restrict access to internal resources.
   • Customize the guest portal for user authentication, which can be a simple password, voucher-based, or a payment system for premium access. At UniHosted we can help you set this up.

7. Optimize and Secure the Network:

   • Implement VLANs to segregate traffic and enhance security.
   • Use advanced features like band steering and airtime fairness to optimize network performance.

8. Regular Monitoring and Maintenance:

   • Regularly update your UniFi devices for the latest features and security enhancements.
   • Monitor network performance and make adjustments as necessary.

Final Thoughts

Setting up a Wi-Fi network in a hotel using UniFi is a great choice. UniFi products, with their robust performance and advanced features, are ideal for this task.

With UniHosted, you can enjoy hassle-free management of your UniFi Controller. We specialize in hosting UniFi Controllers, providing a reliable solution for your network management. If you would like me to personally walk you through UniHosted, you can schedule a call with me here.