The Most Common Complaints About Hotel Guest Rooms Are Actually About Lighting

Common Complaints: “Too Dark,” “Glare,” “Can’t See at Night,” “Not Bright Enough for Makeup”

Scan the reviews of any hotel—whether on Booking.com, TripAdvisor, or Ctrip—and you’ll notice a pattern. Some of the most frequent guest complaints are not about bed comfort, room size, or amenities, but about the lighting:

• “The room was too dark.”

• “The bedside lamp was glaring.”

• “I couldn’t see clearly in the bathroom at night.”

• “The mirror light wasn’t bright enough for makeup.”

For hoteliers, designers, and operators, this should be a wake-up call. While many invest in high-end furniture, luxury finishes, and stylish décor, lighting is often treated as an afterthought—or simply a matter of installing enough fixtures. In reality, lighting has a far bigger impact on the guest experience, reviews, and ratings than most realize.

Why Do Two 10W Lights Feel So Different—One Comfortable, One Harsh?

It’s a common misconception that brightness (or wattage) alone determines whether a hotel room feels inviting or uncomfortable. Many managers assume that installing “brighter” bulbs will solve complaints. In practice, however, two 10W fixtures can create totally different experiences. Why? The answer is the quality and design of the light.

• Poor-quality fixtures can produce harsh, uneven beams, excessive glare, and uncomfortable hotspots—even at low wattages.

• High-quality downlights (like those from inbright) use advanced optics, anti-glare designs, and precise beam control to deliver soft, comfortable, and effective lighting where guests need it.

What’s truly important is not just how much light you install, but how it’s delivered. Guests may not know technical terms like “beam angle” or “glare control,” but they know when a room feels unpleasant—or when it’s perfectly comfortable.

The Four Pillars of Guest Room Lighting: Color Temperature, Illuminance, Glare, Control

1. Color Temperature

The color of the light—measured in Kelvin—sets the mood.
• Warm white (2700K–3000K) is ideal for sleeping and relaxation, making rooms feel cozy and calm.
• Neutral white (3500K–4000K) works best for workspaces or reading areas, offering better clarity and concentration.
Choose the wrong color temperature, and even a beautifully furnished room feels cold, uninviting, or impractical.

2. Illuminance (Brightness)

Brightness should be tailored to each zone.
• Bedside lighting should be gentle and never cause glare when lying down.
• Makeup mirrors, bathrooms, and work desks require higher brightness so guests can see details easily.
With inbright downlights, hotels can fine-tune illuminance levels for each area, ensuring both function and comfort.

3. Glare

Glare is one of the fastest ways to annoy a guest.
• Exposed light sources, shallow recessed fixtures, and poor optics all create harsh visual discomfort.
• Proper anti-glare downlights, such as those from inbright, recess the light source and use advanced lenses to spread light evenly—so guests see the room, not the bulb.

4. Control

Modern guests expect more than just an on/off switch.
• Scene control lets them select “reading,” “sleep,” or “movie” modes with a single touch.
• Smart controls, offered by inbright’s lighting solutions, give hotels the flexibility to offer different atmospheres at different times of day or for different guest needs.

Why Do Bathrooms Need Dual Color Temperatures? (Makeup vs. Relaxation)

The bathroom is one of the most common places for lighting complaints. Guests expect to see their true skin tone, apply makeup accurately, and relax at night. One color temperature can’t meet all needs.
• Makeup and grooming: Guests need a high CRI (Color Rendering Index) and a neutral/cool white (3500K–4000K) to see colors clearly.
• Relaxation and bathing: Warmer lighting (2700K–3000K) is more flattering and relaxing.
inbright offers dual color temperature solutions that let guests easily switch between “makeup” and “relaxation” settings, delivering a five-star bathroom experience.

Case Study: Raising a Hotel’s Guest Room Score from 4.5 to 4.9 with Lighting

Consider a leading international hotel that struggled for years with “average” guest room scores, stuck at 4.5 out of 5.
Most negative reviews mentioned poor lighting: rooms were too dim, bedside lights glared, the bathroom was unusable for makeup. Management had tried changing bulbs and increasing wattage, but complaints persisted.

The turning point came when the hotel invested in a professional lighting redesign using inbright downlights and intelligent controls:
• Downlights were installed with high CRI, optimized beam angles, and deep anti-glare designs.
• Guest rooms were zoned for different brightness levels at the bed, desk, and entrance.
• The bathroom featured dual CCT mirrors and vanity lights.
Within three months, the hotel’s room rating jumped to 4.9. Guests praised the “comfortable atmosphere,” “perfect makeup lighting,” and “relaxing mood.” Lighting had become a competitive advantage—delivering better reviews, more bookings, and higher rates.

Lighting Is the Most Cost-Effective Way to Boost Positive Reviews

Many hotels spend tens of thousands on renovations, new beds, or smart TVs—yet overlook the one factor that can change their reputation overnight: lighting.

Upgrading to professional downlight solutions like inbright is often the most affordable way to:
• Increase comfort (no more “too dark” or “too bright” complaints)
• Improve functionality (guests can work, read, relax, or apply makeup with ease)
• Enhance aesthetics (good lighting flatters architecture, art, and materials)
• Boost reviews and occupancy (guests notice—and talk about—good lighting)

The math is simple: for a fraction of what a furniture upgrade costs, you can upgrade every guest’s first impression and last memory.

A Guest-Centric Mindset: Lighting as a Reputation Driver

For hotel investors, designers, and operators, the message is clear:
If you want more five-star reviews, loyal repeat guests, and a competitive edge, focus on what your guests see and feel the most—the light.

Modern downlights, especially inbright, allow you to deliver flawless experiences across every room:
• No more harsh shadows, glare, or dark corners.
• Every space—bedroom, bathroom, corridor—gets the right color temperature and brightness.
• Scene control and intelligent features anticipate guest needs, not just today but in the future.
Comfort starts with what guests see. Satisfaction ends with what they remember. Lighting is the most powerful—and affordable—tool to make both happen.