FREE SHIPPING ON ANY ORDER OVER $300 
Hotel Soundproofing Guide: Keeping Guests Comfortable and Reviews Positive
With travelers posting reviews online within minutes of checkout, it has never been more critical for hotels to provide a truly restful experience. Cleanliness, friendly staff, and attractive décor are all expected. Today, quiet guest rooms have become a non-negotiable standard.
Noise tops the list of guest complaints, year after year. According to a survey by J.D. Power and Associates (see this New York Times article), sound issues in hotels are more frustrating to guests than outdated décor or limited amenities.
The problem is that many hotels don’t address soundproofing until after construction. By then, fixing noise complaints can be frustrating and expensive. Relying solely on architectural plans often isn’t enough — they may specify outdated methods like soundboard or insulation alone, or newer materials with impressive lab ratings that don’t always hold up in real-world conditions. It takes an experienced soundproofing team to know what works in the field.
We’ve worked with hotel owners and builders across North America and beyond — from Four Points in Niagara to Las Vegas Suites in Panama, from the Marriott in Massachusetts to boutique hotels in Louisiana. Each property is unique, and each requires its own solution. Below we’ve outlined the most effective strategies for hotel soundproofing in new construction as well as retrofit upgrades when complaints are already coming in.
Doors
The simplest and most glaring sound issue in hotels is by far the doors (the author of this article is personally agitated by this at every hotel stay!).
Gaps at the bottom of the door leading to the hallway and at the adjoining doors make for an unpleasant stay at any hotel. Shockingly, this is overlooked even by many luxury hotels. The door bottom and sides need tight seals.
If you want to test this, turn off the light in a hotel room — any light coming in at the bottom or sides is allowing sound in and out. (the images to the left are actual photos taken by the author when staying at a luxury brand hotel)
Light leaks equal sound leaks. This is why a properly sealed door with automatic door bottoms and door gaskets is a must for guest comfort.
Solutions:
- Install solid core heavy doors whenever possible.
- Seal around the frame before trim is installed.
- Use an Automatic Door Bottom paired with Door Gaskets to stop sound leaks into hallways and between adjoining rooms.
- Read more in our detailed door soundproofing guide.
Walls Between Rooms and Hallways
Walls are the next major culprit in noise complaints. Guests expect privacy, but poorly insulated walls transmit conversations, TVs, and even phone alarms from one room to another. Worse yet, many HVAC contractors mount mini-split AC units back-to-back, which transfers both vibration and airborne sound.
Best Practices:
- Where possible, frame double walls (completely separated stud walls).
- If that’s not feasible, use resilient sound clips and hat channel on one side.
- Fill the wall cavity with thick fiberglass insulation (R-11 for 2×4, R-19 for 2×6).
- Finish with two layers of 5/8" drywall on both sides, with Green Glue damping compound between layers.
- Seal all outlet boxes with putty pads and perimeter edges with acoustical caulk.
Floors
Impact noise — footsteps, rolling luggage, dropped objects — is one of the hardest issues to control in hotels. Wood structures are particularly vulnerable.
- During construction, install Joist Gasket Tape on floor joists.
- Use two layers of subfloor with Green Glue compound between them.
- In carpeted rooms, use premium carpet underlayment for added impact noise control.
Ceilings
When noise complaints persist between floors, ceilings are usually to blame. Use resilient sound clips like Whisper Clips with hat channel. Hang two layers of drywall, ideally with Green Glue between them, to create a floating ceiling that isolates sound.
Exterior Walls
While less common than interior noise complaints, exterior noise from traffic or nightlife can be equally damaging to a hotel’s reputation. Insulate exterior walls thoroughly, and use double drywall with Green Glue damping between layers. Seal penetrations carefully before installing trim.
Windows
If the hotel faces a busy street, windows can make or break the guest experience. The most effective approach is installing a secondary inner window, leaving a wide air gap. At minimum, use double-pane laminated glass windows, sealed tightly before moldings are installed. Add heavy curtains or sound barrier drapes for both acoustic and light control.
Final Word
Guest satisfaction directly impacts occupancy rates and online reputation. A quiet room is no longer a luxury — it’s a requirement. The right soundproofing plan saves you from costly renovations and negative reviews. Whether you’re planning new construction or renovating an existing property, our team at Trademark Soundproofing has the proven solutions to ensure every guest enjoys a peaceful stay.
© Copyright by Trademark Soundproofing 2025
