Five years ago, having a USB port on the nightstand was a nice touch. Now it’s a baseline expectation, and the bar keeps moving. The average guest in 2026 travels with a phone, a laptop or tablet, wireless earbuds, and often a smartwatch. Some carry portable batteries, cameras, or fitness devices on top of that. Every one of those devices needs power, and guests expect to plug in without effort, delay, or compromise.

The Devices Have Changed. Has Your Room?

Guest device profiles have shifted significantly in the past few years. USB-C has overtaken Lightning and Micro-USB as the dominant connector. Laptops increasingly charge over USB-C, which means the bedside USB port that used to handle just a phone now needs to support higher power draw. Wireless earbuds and smartwatches often charge on small pads or proprietary cables that need their own outlet or USB port.

If your rooms still offer two AC outlets and a single USB-A port, you’re behind where your guests are. They’ll make it work, but they’ll notice the friction, and that friction shows up in reviews.

Accessible Placement Is the First Priority

Port type matters, but placement matters more. A guest shouldn’t have to pull the nightstand away from the wall to find an outlet. They shouldn’t have to unplug the alarm clock to charge a phone. They shouldn’t have to sit on the floor to reach the only available outlet near the desk.

The minimum in 2026 is accessible power at three locations: both sides of the bed and the work surface. Each location should offer at least one USB-C port, one USB-A port, and one AC outlet. That’s the floor, not the ceiling.

Speed Matters

Not all USB ports deliver the same power. A port rated at 5W will trickle-charge a modern smartphone, but it won’t keep up with a guest who’s using the phone while it charges. Ports that support USB Power Delivery at 18W or higher charge a phone meaningfully faster and can handle tablets and some laptops.

BCP charging solutions offer modules with USB PD support, giving guests fast charging without needing their own adapter. That’s the kind of detail that turns a functional room into a room that feels well thought out.

International Guests Bring International Plugs

Properties that serve a significant international guest base should consider universal AC outlets or at least stock a small number of adapters at the front desk. A guest from the UK or continental Europe with a non-US plug type will either need an adapter or will be unable to charge their laptop. USB ports bypass this problem for phones and tablets, but laptops still often rely on AC.

Power Is Infrastructure, Not an Amenity

The shift in guest expectations is clear: in-room power is now infrastructure, on the same level as Wi-Fi, hot water, and clean linens. Properties that treat it as an optional upgrade will fall behind. Properties that build it into every room refresh and new construction project will stay competitive.

Mormax carries the full range of power and charging solutions from BCP and Metro Light & Power, configurable to fit any room layout and guest profile. Get in touch for spec guidance and pricing.