What was once a novelty has become a guest expectation. QR code scans have increased 433% since 2021, and over 70% of travelers now expect their accommodations to offer technology amenities — and are more likely to select a hotel that does. For hoteliers, that means QR codes are no longer a nice-to-have. They are a standard part of delivering a modern guest experience.

Quick response (QR) codes are one of the most versatile tools available for connecting with guests across the property — from pre-arrival through checkout. They can drive online traffic from printed materials and signage, reduce friction at key service touchpoints, and open direct communication channels that support both the guest experience and your reputation management efforts.

How are hotels using QR codes?

The use cases have expanded well beyond the folio and the room key. Here are the most effective applications across the guest journey:

Review generation

A QR code on the guest folio, checkout receipt, or a table card in the lobby can send guests directly to your property’s review page on TripAdvisor, Google, or Booking.com. The key is linking to the write-a-review field specifically — not the general listing — so the path from scan to submission is as short as possible.

Guest satisfaction surveys

Placing a QR code on in-room collateral or at checkout gives guests an easy way to submit post-stay feedback. For properties using Revinate Guest Feedback, survey responses captured this way feed directly into guest profiles — enabling more personalized follow-up communication and surfacing operational insights across departments.

Contactless check-in and digital room keys

Leading hotel chains are using QR codes to let guests verify their booking, select room preferences, and receive a digital key — all from their smartphone, without stopping at the front desk. The hotel contactless check-in market is projected to reach $3.01 billion by 2032, signaling that this shift from optional to expected is already underway.

In-room dining and F&B ordering

A QR code on the nightstand or dining table launches a mobile-optimized menu where guests can browse, order, and pay without calling the front desk. This reduces miscommunication, speeds up order routing, and frees staff to focus on higher-value service moments.

Local recommendations and concierge information

A QR code at the concierge desk or in the room welcome book can surface curated local guides — restaurant recommendations, walking routes, attraction links — that update in real time without reprinting.

Loyalty program enrollment

QR codes on key cards, folios, or in-room cards can link directly to your loyalty sign-up page, reducing the friction of enrollment and capturing guest data at the moment of highest engagement — during the stay itself.

How do hotels implement QR codes?

Implementing QR codes is straightforward, but a few steps will determine whether they actually perform.

1. Decide on your call-to-action. Scanning a QR code drives traffic to one unique URL, so make sure the landing page is exactly where you want guests to engage — and won’t require additional browsing. If your goal is for a guest to write a review, link directly to your property’s write-a-review field, not your general listing page.
2. Use a URL shortener before generating. Shorten your destination URL before creating the code. QR code generators produce more complex, harder-to-scan codes the longer the URL is. If you use Revinate, you can shorten URLs directly from the dashboard. Otherwise, Bit.ly is a reliable free option.
3. Create your QR code. There are dozens of free generators available — QR Stuff, goQR.me, and QR Code Generator are commonly used options. Submit your URL and save the image file that is generated.
4. Test the code. Modern smartphones — both iPhone and Android — scan QR codes natively through the camera app, no additional software required. Test on both device types before moving to print to confirm the destination loads correctly and the flow works as intended.
5. Work with your print designer. You will have a single QR code image file to work with, but sizing matters for scan reliability. Coordinate with your printer to ensure codes are appropriately sized for each piece of collateral — a code that works on a full-page folio may not scan reliably on a small key card. Test again before final print.
6. Track your QR code traffic. Using a URL shortener lets you measure the number of visits generated from each code. Pair this with your web analytics platform — Google Analytics or equivalent — to understand the broader impact on mobile traffic and conversion by touchpoint.

What is the difference between dynamic and static QR codes?

Static QR codes are permanently linked to a single URL and cannot be changed after printing. Dynamic QR codes allow you to update the destination URL at any time without reprinting the physical code — making them the better choice for use cases where the destination may change, such as seasonal menus, rotating local guides, or evolving survey links. Most QR code generators offer both options; dynamic codes typically require a paid plan.

Frequently asked questions about QR codes for hotels

Do hotel guests actually scan QR codes?

Yes. QR code scans have grown 433% since 2021, and the U.S. accounts for roughly 38% of all scans globally. Over 70% of travelers now expect their hotel to offer technology amenities including contactless options, and nearly 40% say they would choose a fully self-service model with minimal staff interaction if available. Guest readiness is no longer a barrier to adoption.

What is the best place to put a QR code in a hotel?

The highest-performing placements are those that meet guests at a natural decision point: the folio or checkout receipt for review generation, the nightstand or dining table for F&B ordering, the check-in area or pre-arrival email for contactless check-in, and the concierge desk or welcome book for local recommendations. Each placement should have a single, clear call-to-action — one QR code per destination.

Should hotels use static or dynamic QR codes?

Dynamic QR codes are the better choice for most hotel applications. They allow you to update the destination URL without reprinting — which matters when menus change seasonally, survey links rotate, or promotion pages expire. Static codes work for permanent destinations like a property’s TripAdvisor listing, where the URL is stable and unlikely to change.

Do guests need a special app to scan a hotel QR code?

No. Both iPhone and Android smartphones scan QR codes natively through the built-in camera app — no additional software is needed. This has been standard on iOS since 2017 and Android since 2018, meaning the vast majority of guests can scan without any setup or instruction.

How can QR codes help hotels generate more reviews?

By reducing the steps between intent and action. A guest who enjoyed their stay may intend to leave a review but never follow through if the path is inconvenient. A QR code on the folio or checkout receipt that links directly to the write-a-review field removes that friction. Properties using integrated reputation management tools like Revinate Guest Feedback can track the impact of these touchpoints on overall review volume and response rates.

How do hotels track whether QR codes are working?

The most reliable method is pairing each QR code with a shortened, trackable URL — tools like Bit.ly provide scan counts and click data at no cost. For deeper analysis, connect your destination URLs to your web analytics platform to measure downstream behavior: did the guest complete the review, submit the survey, or enroll in the loyalty program after scanning?

Learn more

For strategies on driving direct revenue and connecting with guests at every stage of the journey, explore the Revinate resource library — including guides, benchmark data, and best practices built specifically for hoteliers.