It’s one thing to take some time to figure out how to use music to improve your guests’ impressions and experience of your hotel.

It’s quite another to let the desk clerk pick the radio station. And volume.

Like scent, used well, music can be a positive addition to the experience you offer your guests. “The music has to be coherent with the theme of the hotel and the types of guests that the hotel is looking to attract,” advises music industry journal Soundjack.

Guests like hearing music. According to research from Music Works cited by Soundjack, “75 percent of hotel guests like to hear music in the lobbies, bars, restaurants and public spaces,” and “61 percent of regular hotel guests are more likely to consume more food and drink when they hear music they like in a hotel.”

Common sense applies, of course. There’s a reason places that cater to a wide range of people, such as dentists’ offices and supermarkets, play a certain ‘type’ of music. It’s nobody’s favorite. Of course, nobody buys “Greatest Hits From the Dentist’s Office” for home play, but it’s inoffensive music, it’s relaxing, and it doesn’t ruin anyone’s day. For every guest you attract by playing AC/DC you drive nine others away.

That said, maybe you have the kind of boutique property that benefits from a certain style of music. If you cater overwhelmingly to extreme sports enthusiasts, throw away the elevator music and have your lobby sound like some snowboarder plugged in his Spotify playlist. If you cater to the downtown artsy set, jazz music might set the right mood. And specifically themed hotels or restaurants - “Mexican Night!” - obviously need to be careful to select the best music for the experience.

Whatever you end up playing, though, there’s never a good reason to play it too loudly. People still need to hear others talk.