When you think of a high-tech hotel room, what features come to mind? Would you expect a sleek tablet that controls every aspect of your stay, from temperature to window coverings and lighting? Or maybe a smart TV equipped with Chromecast or AirPlay, ready to stream your favorite shows with ease?
Charging options would be plentiful, with USB-C, USB-A, and wireless charging pads strategically placed by the bed and at the desk. And of course, the Wi-Fi — free and lightning-fast — would seamlessly support video calls, streaming, and all your connected devices. If you opted for premium Wi-Fi, you’d expect near-instantaneous speeds to match your expectations for 2025.
But as we marvel at these conveniences, it’s worth taking a step back. What was considered cutting-edge just a few years ago? How have our expectations evolved, and what relics of the past can still be found in some rooms?
It wasn’t long ago that I found this G-Link panel built into the cabinet of our hotel room.
The Relics of Yesterday’s Innovation
Over the past 20 years, technology has transformed at a dizzying pace. In the early 2000s, having an ethernet cable in your room for high-speed internet was a luxury. In fact, we’ll still visit hotels with ethernet plugs, even if they usually no longer work.
By 2010, many hotels boasted iHome docking stations, complete with the classic 30-pin connectors for your iPod or iPhone. In-room DVD players and CD alarm clocks were often highlights of a hotel’s tech offering.
Fast forward to 2015, when HDMI or G-Link panels emerged, guests could connect their laptops or devices directly to the TV for a larger viewing experience. These were meant to cater to both business travelers and leisure guests. A picture of the G-Link panel would have symbolized innovation at its finest. But today? It’s an outdated relic.
Even more recent tech has become obsolete. USB-A ports are rapidly being phased out in favor of USB-C, and those once-useful charging pads may not work with the latest devices. These features, once the hallmark of a modern hotel, now seem quaint or frustratingly irrelevant.
The Tech Treadmill — Why Hotels Can’t Keep Up
The problem for hotels is simple: technology evolves far faster than renovation cycles. All of those iHome alarm clocks in hotels started to become obsolete in 2012, when the iPhone changed connectors. While a high-tech hotel room unveiled in 2015 might have been state-of-the-art at the time, in 2025, it’s likely to feel outdated. Renovations are expensive, disruptive, and time-consuming, leaving many hotels perpetually playing catch-up.
Adding to the challenge is the wide variety of guest preferences and devices. While one traveler might appreciate legacy connections for older gadgets, another might be annoyed by the lack of USB-C ports or wireless charging. No matter what you do, you’re going to end up with someone being unhappy.
As a result, it’s common to find a mix of cutting-edge and outdated tech in the same property. While the Wi-Fi might be blazing fast, you’ll still stumble upon an ancient iHome clock, a reminder of what was once considered state-of-the-art.
And even when hotels do try to stay ahead of the curve, the cutting-edge tech they choose might turn out to be something that fizzles out. Like this bathroom mirror with a Bluetooth speaker system we found in one hotel. 
A Snapshot in Time
Hotel rooms are snapshots of the current technology when they were last updated. Walking into a room and spotting a relic like a G-Link panel reminds us just how quickly our tech preferences change. While we can marvel at today’s high-tech conveniences, it’s worth appreciating how far we’ve come and acknowledging the challenges hotels face in staying ahead of the curve.
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