In the hospitality sector, service continuity is essential. Whether you’re managing a five-star hotel or a boutique B&B, even a brief power interruption can cause significant disruption. At the heart of any resilient hospitality operation lies one crucial safeguard: a properly and professionally maintained UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) system.
In this blog, we explore why a robust UPS solution is essential for hospitality businesses, the risks of downtime, and how regular UPS maintenance can protect your guests’ experience and your bottom line.
Why UPS Systems Matter in Hospitality
1. Guest Safety and Comfort
Power resilience is more than a technical concern – it directly impacts guest satisfaction and loyalty. According to UKHospitality, 73% of guests say safety and comfort are key factors in deciding whether to return to a hotel. A UPS helps ensure the continuous operation of emergency lighting, alarm systems, and electronic locks during power outages – reinforcing both safety and comfort when it matters most.
2. Continuous Check-In/Check-Out Operations
The front desk is the nerve centre of any hotel. Computers, payment systems, and reservation software must always be online. A power failure without a UPS could mean losing access to booking information, causing delays, frustration, and reputational damage.
Even a 5-minute delay at reception can lead to negative online reviews or lost bookings, damaging reputations in an industry where brand perception is everything.
3. Protection of Sensitive Equipment
Modern hotels rely on extensive IT infrastructure: servers, EPOS systems, access control, and surveillance. A power outage without UPS protection risks hardware damage, corrupted data, and downtime. UPS systems prevent sudden shutdowns and shield against voltage spikes and surges – common culprits of long-term equipment failure.
4. Maintaining Service Standards
From lifts and smart lighting to Wi-Fi and digital concierge platforms, today’s hospitality environment is powered by tech. Any blip in service, even seconds, can compromise guest satisfaction, particularly in high-end environments where expectations are high.
UPS systems provide the critical bridge between grid failure and generator startup, ensuring service continuity without disruption. This is particularly vital during peak seasons when demand is at its highest.
5. Business Continuity and Disaster Preparedness
Every hospitality brand needs a disaster recovery strategy. A well-designed UPS setup is central to that plan, protecting communication systems, emergency protocols, and key operational areas. UPS systems reduce downtime, protect data integrity, and support faster recovery following power-related incidents.
Key Areas Where UPS Systems Are Crucial in the Hospitality Sector
- Data centres and server rooms – Protecting booking engines, CRM, and reservation systems
- Security and surveillance – Ensuring 24/7 monitoring continues uninterrupted
- Front desk operations – Keeping check-in/check-out and payment systems online
- Emergency lighting and fire safety systems – Maintaining safe evacuation routes
- Kitchen equipment and refrigeration – Preventing food spoilage and operational delays
- Elevators and escalators – Avoiding entrapment and accessibility issues
The staggering costs of IT power outages can be seen below:
- Large enterprises can lose over £5,000 per minute
- Small businesses may face losses exceeding £400 per minute
- 98% of organisations report costs of over £80,000 for just one hour of downtime
Investing in Reliability
UPS systems require planned investment and ongoing maintenance, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the risks of neglect. From safeguarding guest satisfaction to protecting revenue and compliance, a professionally maintained UPS is essential.
Professionally-maintained UPS solutions offer high efficiency, remote monitoring, and modular scalability – ideal for hotels looking to future-proof their infrastructure. At BCL Power, our specialist technicians provide tailored UPS maintenance programmes aligned with SFG20 compliance, giving hospitality businesses peace of mind and 24/7 operational security.
Real-World Blackouts – Real Risks for Hospitality
Power disruptions are happening more frequently and with wider impacts:
Heathrow Airport Outage:
A major power outage left thousands stranded as airport systems, including digital signage and check-in terminals, went offline. Nearby hotels were overwhelmed by disrupted passengers and faced sudden surges in demand, and some struggled to manage due to limited power resilience.
Spain & Portugal Blackout:
On 28 April, a massive blackout hit Spain, Portugal, and southern France, affecting millions and marking one of Europe’s largest power outages in recent history. Triggered by the sudden loss of 2.2GW in southern Spain, the event caused widespread grid failures.
The hospitality sector was severely impacted – hotels lost lighting, HVAC, and key systems. Restaurants faced payment failures. Many lacked UPS systems to maintain service continuity, highlighting a growing vulnerability.
These incidents underline a harsh truth: when the grid fails, only those with robust UPS strategies stay operational.
“I was actually in Barcelona when the blackout hit,” recalls James Abbey, Director of BCL Power. “It was chaos for a few hours – people were stuck inside shops because the automatic doors had no power to open. Thankfully, most people stayed calm, but it brought home how critical backup power is, not just for business continuity, but for basic safety. Imagine if that happened in a hotel during peak season – the consequences could be far worse.”
Ready to protect your hospitality business from power disruption?
Get in touch with BCL Power today for a UPS system audit or to discuss your site’s UPS battery maintenance needs. With over 30 years of experience and nationwide support, we’re trusted by the UK’s most resilient businesses.