Short answer

• Use a commercial (B2B) background-music provider — they supply playlists plus the public‑performance/streaming licenses hotels need. Good options, by use case:
  • Enterprise / branded multi‑property programs: Mood Media / PlayNetwork. (us.moodmedia.com)
  • Mid‑market / flexible streaming per zone: Soundtrack Your Brand and Pandora CloudCover (Pandora for Business). (soundtrackyourbrand.com)
  • Cost‑sensitive single properties or spas (royalty‑free / curated ambient tracks): Epidemic Sound, Moodby Play, Melody Pods, Jukeboxy, POSmusic. (epidemicsound.com)

Why you can’t just use Spotify/Apple Music

• Personal streaming services are licensed for private use only and prohibit business/public performance; using them in a hotel risks fines. Use a business service instead. (support.spotify.com)

What these B2B services do (what to check)

• Include / handle public‑performance royalties (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR, SoundExchange) for background music in your venue — but scope/exceptions vary (e.g., live events, fitness classes, admission‑fee events, TV audio). Ask each vendor exactly which PROs and uses they cover. (soundtrackyourbrand.com)
• Provide multi‑zone scheduling, central control, family‑friendly filters and offline playback options; many offer hardware players or Sonos/AV integrations. (soundtrackflow.com)

Quick vendor notes (pros / when to pick)

• Mood Media / PlayNetwork — full enterprise music design, managed playlists, hardware and global licensing support; best for branded programs and multi‑property chains. (us.moodmedia.com)
• Soundtrack Your Brand — large licensed catalog, on‑demand playlist control, scheduling and licensing bundled; good for independents and boutique hotels that want flexible control. (Typical pricing tiers start in the mid‑$30s per zone.) (soundtrackflow.com)
• Pandora CloudCover (Pandora for Business) / SiriusXM for Business — simple, lower‑cost plans per location with licensing included; good for straightforward lobby/FOH music and multi‑location rollouts. (CloudCover shows plans from about $16–$24/location; SiriusXM business plans often start mid‑$20s/month.) (pandora.com)
• Epidemic Sound / royalty‑free providers — good for spas, wellness areas or brands wanting bespoke, royalty‑free ambient tracks (may be cheaper and avoid PRO fees, but check exactly what business‑use coverage you get). (epidemicsound.com)
• Smaller/alternative providers (Moodby Play, Jukeboxy, POSmusic, Melody Pods, etc.) — often cheaper or niche-curated and may bundle PRO certificates; useful for small to medium hotels, spas, cafés. (moodby.com)

Typical price ranges (ballpark examples)

• CloudCover: ~$16.95–$23.95 per location/month (plans & multi‑zone add‑ons). (cloudcovermusic.com)
• Soundtrack: from about $35 / zone/month (Essential) and ~$48 for “Unlimited” tiers (varies by features). (soundtrackflow.com)
• SiriusXM for Business: often advertised from about $26.95/month for business plans. (listenercare.siriusxm.com)
• Enterprise services (Mood/PlayNetwork): custom quotes — usually higher but include music design, hardware, installation and enterprise licensing. (playnetwork.com)

How to choose (short checklist)

1. Define zones & uses: lobby, restaurants, bars, spa, pool, fitness, in‑room vs. public spaces. (Licensing scope can differ.) (playnetwork.com)
2. Ask providers: which PROs they cover (ASCAP/BMI/SESAC/GMR/SoundExchange), any exclusions (live/DJ/admission/fitness), and for a certificate of license you can keep. (soundtrackyourbrand.com)
3. Check features: multi‑zone scheduling, central control, offline playback, Sonos/AV integration, messaging/announcements. (soundtrackflow.com)
4. Trial & audition: use the free trials/demos most vendors offer and test music fits brand, transitions, and staff control. (cloudcovermusic.com)
5. Get a written quote that lists what licensing is included and the exact per‑zone/per‑location cost for scale comparisons.

If you want a single practical next step

• Start 2 quick trials (Soundtrack Your Brand and Pandora CloudCover or a Mood Media demo if you’re multi‑property). Ask each for a written licensing certificate and a sample multi‑zone setup for your property — then compare cost, control and curation. (soundtrackflow.com)

If you want, I can:

• Recommend one vendor based on: number of rooms/properties, zones you need, desired level of curation, budget (tell me those and I’ll pick the best fit), or
• Draft an email/questions to send to vendors to confirm licensing/price/features.

(References above: Soundtrack Your Brand licensing & pricing; Pandora CloudCover pricing & support; Mood Media licensing FAQs; PlayNetwork hotel solutions; Epidemic Sound business offering; vendor pages for Moodby Play, Jukeboxy, POSmusic, Melody Pods.) (soundtrackyourbrand.com)