Smart KNX hotel automation – with tailored components from Elsner

A hotel room that automatically adjusts to the guest upon entry: That’s exactly what modern KNX technology makes possible. Welcome scenes with lighting, temperature and shading create a sense of well-being from the very first moment, without the guest having to do anything.

Door contacts or access systems can be linked via KNX logic, for example, to activate a personalised welcome scene when a guest enters the room.

At the same time, guests retain full control. With KNX push-buttons from the eTR series, they can adjust lighting and blinds with ease. The Nunio KNX M-T universal touch glass push button enables centralised control of lighting, temperature and scenes via customisable touch zones.

For fan coil control, the KNX eTR 102 FC room temperature controller for Fan Coil A/C provides precise regulation with manually selectable fan speeds and a sleek glass surface – making it ideal for premium interiors.

All Elsner control elements share a harmonised glass-front design and can be combined with third-party switch programmes – for a consistent and refined room aesthetic.

Clear status feedback and signalling are essential for ensuring smooth day-to-day operations in hotels – especially for housekeeping teams, technical staff, and facility management.

The KNX eTR DND/MUR system consists of two interconnected components: a touch panel inside the room and an indicator unit with integrated doorbell mounted outside the door. Guests can use the indoor touch interface to select between “Do not disturb” and “Please clean the room”. The selected status is shown on the external unit and simultaneously registered in the central system. This eliminates the need for manual checks and allows for more efficient housekeeping coordination.

In line with global hospitality trends and cultural sensitivity, Elsner DND/MUR indicators are available with gender-neutral symbols. This ensures inclusive communication and meets the high expectations of international guests – particularly in luxury hospitality environments with a diverse, cosmopolitan clientele.

For meeting rooms and conference areas, the Cala KNX IL indicator light provides a clear visual occupancy status using colour-coded LED signals (e.g. red = occupied, green = available). Activation can be triggered by presence detection, automated logic, or integration with a room booking system. This enables staff to coordinate cleaning or technical services more effectively and without disruptions.

The KNX system enables energy savings at multiple levels throughout hotel operations. The following two application examples illustrate how Elsner devices support a more sustainable and cost-effective approach:

Intelligent room control with presence detection: The Intra-Sewi KNX TH-L-Pr presence detector recognises when a room is occupied and automatically switches off lighting, climate control systems, and selected socket outlets when no presence is detected. In combination with window contacts, fan coils or radiators can also be automatically deactivated as soon as a window is opened – preventing unnecessary energy loss.

Façade control based on real-time weather data: The Suntracer KNX pro weather station provides precise meteorological data to enable façade-specific control of automated blinds or screens. This prevents overheating in summer, reduces cooling demand, and avoids unnecessary energy use in unfavourable weather conditions.

For larger hotel buildings with varying orientations or multiple floors, the system can be expanded using the BX8 KNXblind control extension. This allows for up to eight additional façades to be managed individually – fully scalable and seamlessly integrable with the Suntracer KNX pro.

Hotels are not only about guest comfort – efficient and reliable operations are just as critical. KNX enables centralised control of a wide range of building systems, from lighting and shading to technical infrastructure. This allows for the automation, optimisation, and even cross-location coordination of multiple functions.

A good example is the integration of DALI luminaires using the KNX DALI L1/2 ind/gr/bc sec gateways. These interfaces support segmented lighting control in areas such as lobbies, corridors or restaurants, tailored to time of day, ambient brightness, or predefined scenes. The result: reduced planning effort and a consistent control concept that is both functional and energy-efficient.

Whether you're designing a large-scale hotel, renovating an existing property, or developing a boutique concept – all KNX components from Elsner Elektronik can be modularly combined, flexibly scaled, and used internationally. This makes them ideal for customised hotel automation concepts that meet a wide variety of operational requirements and planning scenarios.

Even special control tasks, such as operating gates, barriers or ventilation systems, can be reliably realised using the KNX A3-B2 KNX control module for door drives. It’s the perfect solution for integrating technical areas such as plant rooms, underground garages or service access points seamlessly into the building's central control system.

Thanks to ETS-based configuration and extensive parameter options, our devices offer maximum design freedom – whether you're working within existing KNX infrastructures or managing complex, mixed-technology building projects.

Which KNX devices are best suited for guest rooms, corridors, or technical areas? Our product overview clearly shows how Elsner Elektronik solutions can be used in hotel environments – sorted by function, application area, and project objective. Ideal for planners and integrators looking for a quick and structured overview. 

Das DND/MUR-System besteht aus zwei miteinander verbundenen Komponenten: einem Touchpanel im Zimmer und einer Anzeigeeinheit an der Außenseite der Tür. Der Gast wählt bequem zwischen „Bitte nicht stören“ und „Zimmer reinigen“. Der gewählte Status erscheint außen sichtbar, sodass das Housekeeping diskret reagieren kann. Die Außeneinheit verfügt zusätzlich über eine Klingeltaste, die das klassische Anklopfen ersetzt und sich harmonisch in das Gesamtsystem einfügt. Gleichzeitig wird der Status zentral im KNX-System sichtbar, sodass das Housekeeping effizient und diskret agieren kann.

Ob Betriebsstatus, Szenenanzeige oder Wartungshinweis: Mit Geräten wie Cala KNX IL oder Nunio KNX M-T lassen sich Systemzustände klar und verständlich kommunizieren. Cala KNX IL signalisiert Zustände über eine farbige LED-Fläche, die in Rot, Gelb oder Grün leuchten oder blinken kann – beispielsweise zur Anzeige von Verfügbarkeit, Störungen oder aktiven Betriebsmodi. Die Ansteuerung erfolgt über KNX-Logik, Sensorik oder in Kombination mit Hotelmanagementsystemen.

Nunio KNX M-T zeigt relevante Informationen auf seinem monochromen Touch-Display – etwa Symbole für aktive Szenen, Temperaturwerte oder Serviceanforderungen. Die visuelle Rückmeldung erfolgt über hinterleuchteten Klartext und Icons und lässt sich individuell auf die jeweiligen Projektanforderungen abstimmen.

So behalten Gäste, Servicepersonal und Technikteams jederzeit den Überblick – ganz ohne zusätzliche Türschilder oder manuelle Kontrollgänge.