Hotel room iPads used often but rarely stolen

Among the high-tech amenities that many pricey hotels have been adding in the last two years is the in-room iPad.

In many hotels, the tablet is loaded with software that lets guests tap the screen to order room service, call for a taxi or request a bill to check out. The Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles and the Four Seasons Los Angeles in Beverly Hills both offer in-room iPads.

A new study by the company that makes the software for iPads at 53 hotels across the country found that 82% of guests who had access to the tablets used them an average 11 times per stay.

Of the hotel guests who used the hotel iPads, 41% ordered in-room food, 21% requested a wake-up call and 7% called for a housekeeper, according to the study by Orlando-based Intelity.

“In-room tablets have quickly become the new mark of luxury service in hotels,” said Chief Executive David Adelson.

Despite the popularity of iPads, hotels don’t seem to have a problem with guests taking home the in-room tablet. Some hotels attach the iPads by a cable to furniture in the room. Others warn guests when they check in that if their iPad goes missing, the hotel will tack a fee of up to $800 on their bill.

In the last two years, Intelity said it has received only two reports of damaged iPads and no reports of missing iPads.

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Follow Hugo Martin on Twitter at @hugomartin