Free Hotel CCTV Layout CCTV Design Tool
Hotels juggle guest privacy with liability evidence. This layout covers public areas — lobby, corridors, lifts, pool deck — with discreet domes that respect guests but capture theft, slip-and-fall and disturbance evidence.
16-40
Typical cameras
2,000-10,000 sqm
Typical area
Guest privacy in corridors and rooms
challenge
Recommended camera zones
| Zone | Camera type | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lobby and reception | Dome / PTZ | 2-4 | PTZ behind the reception desk plus discreet mini-dome covering check-in queue. Low-light sensors mandatory. |
| Corridors and lifts | Dome / Mini-Dome | 6-16 | Mini-dome every 15–20 m on the corridor axis — never pointing AT guest doorways. |
| Stairwells and back-of-house | Bullet / IR | 4-8 | IR bullets at stair landings; bullets in service corridors (staff-only, fewer privacy constraints). |
| Pool deck and outdoor terraces | Dome / Weather-Rated | 2-4 | IP68 marine-grade domes, mounted high enough to cover the deck without being obtrusive. |
| Parking and gym | Dome | 2-8 | ANPR at the gate, IR bullets in the garage, mini-dome at gym entry (not inside changing areas). |
Key challenges for
Guest privacy in corridors and rooms
Cameras in guest rooms are illegal in almost every jurisdiction. Corridor cameras are usually fine, but they should not see into rooms when doors open — angle them away from doorways or use fish-eye that doesn't focus on any single threshold.
Aesthetics: lobby cameras must be invisible
Bullet cameras in a 5-star lobby kill the brand. Use mini-domes flush-mounted in coffered ceilings, or black-housing recessed cameras that vanish against dark woodwork.
Outdoor: pool deck and parking
Pool decks have humidity, chlorine and direct sun — most generic cameras corrode within a season. Use fully-sealed marine-grade housings (IP68) and weather-rated mounts.
Night coverage in low-light areas
Hotels run dim ambient lighting at night for guest comfort. Use cameras with low-light/Starlight sensors (≥0.005 lux color), not IR cut-off — IR floods kill the mood lighting.
Pro tips for
Brief the GM and front-of-house team during planning — they'll flag aesthetic complaints faster than any installer.
Avoid IR illumination in lobby — the low-light look is a brand asset; use Starlight sensors instead.
Pool-deck cameras need annual housing replacement — budget for it in OPEX, not as a surprise.
Set retention to 30 days for public areas, 90 days for cash handling (reception, bar, restaurant POS).
Train front-desk staff on viewing footage — they're first responders for slip-and-fall and theft incidents, not the IT team.
Frequently asked questions
Can we put cameras in corridors near guest rooms?
Yes, but angle them along the corridor axis, never directly at room doors. Most hospitality privacy policies require corridor coverage but explicitly forbid views INTO rooms when doors open.
How many cameras for a 100-room hotel?
Typically 24–40: 2–4 lobby, 8–16 corridor (depends on floor count), 2–4 lifts/stairs, 2–4 outdoor (pool/parking), 2–4 back-of-house. Add 2–4 if you have a restaurant, bar or gym.
Do we need cameras at the gym or pool?
At the entrance/exit yes, inside changing rooms never. Pool deck and gym floor are usually OK but check local privacy law — some jurisdictions treat fitness-related health data as sensitive and limit camera coverage.
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