Guest experience remains at the heart of hospitality, and in the age of online reviews, a single poor incident can leave lasting damage. According to Zuberance, one negative review can lead to the loss of up to 30 bookings, amounting to a financial hit of $22,800. That makes it critical for hotel operators to address every point of the guest journey—especially emergency preparedness.
As technology advances, so does the landscape of emergency communication. Two key forces are driving significant change: the phaseout of analog landlines and the introduction of updated elevator code requirements. For hotels, these changes aren’t just technical upgrades—they carry major implications for guest safety and hospitality as a whole.
(1) Evolving Codes: Elevating Accessibility and Safety
Recent updates to elevator code—namely ASME A17.1 2019+ and IBC 2018+—now require video and two-way messaging capabilities in elevators for new construction or modernization. These updates are designed to provide accessible communication options for passengers who are hearing or speech impaired.
With over 75% of states in the U.S. having already adopted these code changes, hotels are under increasing pressure to update their emergency communication systems accordingly.
Kings III’s CabView solution helps hotels meet these updated codes. It combines two-way messaging with on-demand video capabilities, connecting passengers directly to highly trained emergency dispatchers who can both see and message into the elevator cab when needed.
But CabView is more than just a code-compliant upgrade. It reflects a hotelier’s responsibility to protect guests, respect their dignity, and respond inclusively to emergencies—a true alignment of technology with the values of modern hospitality.
Building Confidence Through Communication
Keeping up with codes is important, but what matters most is the human experience during a crisis. In an industry built on comfort, empathy, and trust, guests must feel safe and supported even in the worst-case scenario. A solution like CabView helps deliver that peace of mind.
By investing in accessible, forward-looking emergency communication technology, hotels can reinforce their commitment to safety while reducing risk, improving response times, and building trust through visible preparedness.
(2) The Landline Sunset: What Hotels Need to Know
The FCC’s 2019 ruling granted telecom companies the right to discontinue support for traditional analog lines. While there’s no firm deadline, analog landlines are rapidly becoming obsolete—bringing with them rising costs, slower service, and limited support.
This shift presents real challenges for elevator phones and other life safety systems, which must meet strict code requirements. Though VoIP systems work well for general hotel communication, they often fall short for emergency applications. They may not hold up during power outages, and they introduce complications with tone signaling, reliability, and guest privacy risks.
The risks of a failed emergency call go beyond equipment malfunction—they strike at the very core of the guest experience. Poor communication during an emergency puts safety, satisfaction, and reputation at risk.
Our Recommendation: Cellular LTE for Reliable Emergency Communication
To reduce risk and modernize effectively, we recommend a Cellular LTE-based approach. Kings III offers a cellular emergency phone solution that includes the dial tone, equipment, and 24/7 emergency monitoring in one all-inclusive solution.
By removing the need to adapt VoIP or PBX systems to emergency code standards, hotels can simplify operations, reduce liability, and avoid hidden costs linked to landline maintenance or patchwork fixes.
In Hospitality, Safety is Service
When it comes to guest satisfaction, emergencies are a critical moment of truth. A well-managed response may never appear in an online review—but a mishandled one almost certainly will. In fact, 81% of travelers read reviews before booking (Mara), and a single safety-related review can outweigh dozens of positive ones.
Guest safety is guest satisfaction. As hospitality leaders look ahead, the most successful properties will be those that invest in both their people and their infrastructure. That includes ensuring their emergency communication systems are current, compliant, and human-centered.
Kings III helps hotels stay ahead of code changes and landline sunset challenges—delivering peace of mind for management, staff, and guests.
Ensure your hotel is ready for what comes next. Stay compliant, stay connected, and most of all, stay guest-focused with Kings III.