Short answer: Yes — in the United States hotels generally need public‑performance licenses to play copyrighted music in common areas (lobbies, corridors, pools, restaurants, bars, spas, shops, etc.).

Why: U.S. copyright law gives songwriters/publishers the exclusive right to publicly perform their works, and courts have long held that commercial use (including hotels) requires permission even if customers aren’t charged directly. (en.Wikipedia.org)

What hotels normally do

• Obtain blanket public‑performance licenses from the major performing‑rights organizations (PROs) — ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and sometimes GMR — which cover performance rights for the PROs’ repertoires. (Wahospitality.org)
• Or subscribe to a business/“licensed background music” service (SoundMachine, SiriusXM for Business, Jukeboxy, etc.) that supplies programming plus the necessary public‑performance rights on the hotel’s behalf. Those services explicitly advertise PRO coverage because consumer streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.) are not licensed for commercial/public play. (sound-machine.com)

Limited exemptions (rare)

• There are narrow statutory and case‑law exceptions (e.g., some technical exemptions in Section 110 of the Copyright Act and certain small‑establishment rules), but they are limited and have been narrowly interpreted — in practice they don’t cover typical hotel common‑area use. Don’t assume a consumer account or personal music files cover you. (en.Wikipedia.org)

Risks if you don’t license

• PROs enforce performance rights; unlicensed commercial performance can lead to cease‑and‑desist demands and lawsuits, with statutory damages that can be substantial. Many hospitality operators therefore treat licensing as a routine operating cost. (milettilaw.com)

Practical checklist for a hotel operator

1. Inventory where music plays: lobby, restaurants, bars, spa, pool, hallways, music on hold, TVs, events, in‑room music systems.
2. Contact ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and (if relevant) GMR for per‑location or hotel‑chain license quotes, OR sign with a reputable business music service that handles PRO coverage. (Wahospitality.org)
3. Don’t use consumer subscriptions (Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora free/personal accounts) to provide music in public areas. (sound-machine.com)
4. If you’re part of a brand/franchise, check whether corporate already maintains a master license.
5. Keep records (invoices, license documents, service contracts) in case a PRO asks about coverage.

If you want, I can:

• look up the specific license pages/phone numbers for ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and GMR, or
• find licensed background‑music providers and typical costs for hotels in your state.