New Delhi, March 9 -- A small robot gliding down a hotel corridor with a tray of amenities may soon become a familiar sight. At properties run by Roseate Hotels & Resorts in Delhi, service robots are already delivering guest requests, helping staff manage routine tasks during busy hours. Behind the scenes, artificial intelligence (AI) is also analysing incoming calls to identify potential revenue opportunities, track guest preferences and flag complaints before they escalate. The next time you step into a hotel, don't expect a robot to greet you at the door, though. A staff member will still open the door, and a chef will still cook your dal Bukhara, but in the background, AI is already deciding how cool your room should be, how quickly you check in, and even how much the hotel charges for the night. Hotel chains are increasingly rolling out AI tools across various operations as rising costs and tighter margins push them to find efficiencies in existing systems. Global operators in India are scaling similar capabilities. Bigwigs like Radisson Hotel Group and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts are now using data-driven systems for demand forecasting and dynamic pricing, while BWH Hotels, too, is deploying technology across digital platforms to strengthen revenue management and monitor operations. At Radisson Hotel Group, AI is being piloted across select properties with measurable outcomes. "We are able to optimise costs by around 18-25%," Nikhil Sharma, managing director and chief operating officer, South Asia, told Mint. The chain is deploying AI-driven virtual assistants that allow guests to access 24/7 support through QR-enabled chatbots. Smart room technologies and digital self-service tools speed up check-in and check-out, while giving guests greater control over their rooms. On the operational side, tools such as Google's Gemini analyse data for demand forecasting and revenue optimisation. AI also supports pricing strategies, targeted marketing, talent management and sustainability initiatives. AI-enabled food waste tracking, for example, is being integrated with property management systems to align supplier orders with occupancy trends. Overall, the objective is to use AI to drive efficiencies, while ensuring that technology enhances don't replace the human touch that defines Radisson Hotel Group' hospitality, Sharma added. The industry-wide push comes as margins tighten. Gross operating profit in resorts has fallen from around 40% to the mid-30% range, while city hotels average about 52%, often higher in prime urban areas. Romesh Koul, chief executive officer at Delhi-based Naaz Hotel Consultants Private Ltd, estimates that cost savings could start at 3-4% and expand to 15-20% as AI systems scale. Adoption so far remains gradual and largely focused on backend systems such as energy optimisation, predictive maintenance, smart sensors and revenue management. "Gradually it has started on a smaller note, but yes it would not overtake the human element. It will help cut project costs and make operations more efficient," Koul said. He likens the technology to installing a revolving door without replacing the doorman. "We still need someone to open the door. Dependence on human staff remains. You still need someone to make the Bukhara dal," Koul said. Immediate applications of AI tools are already visible in energy management, chillers, occupancy-linked cooling systems and weather-control sensors. Hotels are also experimenting with AI to manage peak-time check-ins by tracking guest arrivals from airport landing to property entry....