Short answer

• Use a business (B2B) background-music provider that supplies “licensed-for-commercial-use” lobby playlists (they handle public‑performance rights for you). Examples: Soundtrack Your Brand, Moodby Play / Mood, PlayNetwork, SiriusXM Music for Business, and Pandora CloudCover (Pandora for Business). (soundtrackyourbrand.com)

Where hotels typically get licensed lobby music

• B2B streaming services/music-for-business platforms — turn‑key playlists, scheduling, multi‑zone support and commercial licensing included or available as part of the service. Good for lobbies, restaurants, bars, spas and retail on property. Examples above. (soundtrackyourbrand.com)
• Value‑added resellers / integrators — companies that bundle streaming + hardware + on‑site installation and help manage licensing (common for larger properties). (dynamicmediamusic.com)
• Licensing bundles from specialist vendors (SoundMachine, Soundtrack, etc.) that explicitly state they cover PROs or will help you secure the right PRO licenses. (sound-machine.com)
• Directly from the performing‑rights organizations (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR): hotels can purchase blanket public‑performance licenses themselves if they plan to play their own curated playlists or use consumer services — but this route requires managing multiple PROs and can be more work. (bmi.com)

Important legal note (short)

• Consumer subscriptions (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.) are for personal use and do not cover public/commercial performance; using them in a hotel lobby can expose a property to fines — B2B services or PRO licenses are required. (bmi.com)

Quick checklist when choosing a provider

• Confirm the service explicitly covers public‑performance licensing in the U.S. (ASCAP/BMI/SESAC/GMR) or bundles PRO fees. (soundtrackyourbrand.com)
• Multi‑zone support (lobby vs. bar vs. spa vs. rooms) and scheduling by time/day. (moodby.com)
• Content controls: explicit‑lyrics filter, brand customization, and the ability to create or approve playlists. (soundtrackyourbrand.com)
• Offline playback / reliability and hardware/integration requirements for your property. (moodby.com)
• Pricing model (per zone, per location, enterprise deals for multi‑property chains). (soundtrackyourbrand.com)

If you already have playlists you want to use

• Ask a B2B provider about “making your Spotify playlists legal” or an “unlimited” plan that lets you import lists — otherwise obtain blanket licenses directly from the PROs. Many providers offer a service to convert or legally re-create your playlists for use in business. (soundtrackyourbrand.com)

Want a next step?

• If you tell me which matters most (price, full legal coverage, multi‑property scale, or a particular musical vibe), I can narrow this list to the best 2–3 providers and summarize their pricing/features.