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Image of blue and yellow modern room with close up of USB port

Specifying USB charging sockets

 730 565 Hamish Kilburn
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GTHD

A GUIDE TO HOTEL DESIGN PT 53:
SPECIFYING USB CHARGING SOCKETS

Relax and recharge, as we speak with Hamilton Litestat’s Sales and Marketing Director, Gavin Williams, on how changing EU regulations will increase reliance on USB charging sockets, and why more than one type of USB port is needed to support devices and futureproof a hotel’s charging capabilities…

Guide to Hotel Design

Today, ensuring your guests have access to the right electrical wiring solutions to recharge their devices is as important as them having a restful stay. Whether they are relaxing by watching a film on a tablet, or replying to important emails while on a business trip, those devices need to be powered appropriately.

Until now, block plug-in USB chargers have come as standard with battery-powered devices. In a move to reduce electrical waste and the impact this has on the environment, the European Union is looking to stop manufacturers from providing these with every device and move towards a standard USB-type charging connector. One of the first brands to make this change is Apple, which isn’t providing a charging unit with the iPhone 12. An increased demand for USB charging ports is an anticipated fallout from this. But not all USB connectors were created equal.

USB-A vs USB-C

The USB connector we’re probably most familiar with and is used in laptops and remote storage devices is the USB Type A, or USB-A. This has a reasonably large physical connector and offers charging of up to 2.5W. However, a new standard that enables significantly faster charging is on the horizon – the USB Type C, or USB-C. USB-C is physically much smaller and, more importantly, facilitates extremely fast data transfer of up to 10 Gbps and power transfer of 100W for rapid charging.

Unlike the early days of mobile phones where each brand had its own unique charging cable, USB-C is set to become standard across new devices. More than 700 technology companies, including Apple, Dell, Google, HP, Intel, Microsoft, and Samsung, have done away with the charging block and adopted the USB-C standard for upcoming products. Demand for USB-C charging ports is set to soar.

Image of luxury clean room with a usb charging socket close up

Image credit: Jonathan Borba/Hamilton Litestat

Charging ahead

Hotels looking to support all visitors and their varied power requirements will need to provide charging options for both legacy devices and the new standard.

Hamilton is supporting the industry with combined double switched 2.4A USB sockets that feature both USB-A and USB-C charging ports. Available in four stylish and versatile plate designs – Hartland, Hartland G2, Hartland CFX and Sheer CFX – and up to eleven finishes, these solutions deliver functionality of the future while ensuring interior style and design aspirations are achieved.

Double switched USB sockets sit perfectly either side of the bed in a guestroom for convenience and style. And with Hamilton offering a vast range of flexible solutions in those plate designs, lighting and other functionality can be delivered with coordinated plates throughout the guestroom.

Since you’re here, why not read Hamilton Litestat’s recent case study, featuring Hotel Indigo Bath?

Power up!

However, faster charging needs more power more rapidly and there are still restrictions on the charging capability from a 13A socket. To deliver the higher rate of charge for high-capacity devices, such as the new MacBook Pro or iPad Pro, a Euro Module is required. Hamilton has recently launched a 45W Type C / 18W Type A Euro Module that is designed to deliver additional power, ensuring power-thirsty devices can charge at full capacity, ensuring guests will never run out of power.

The Euro Module works particularly well in bespoke plates, designed to meet the requirements of the international traveller. Often positioned alongside desk/dressing table areas, guests have everything they need to work, relax, and recharge.

For hotels looking to support their guests in the long term, Hamilton’s USB charging products provide stylish transitional solutions. Supporting legacy devices, along with providing the power needed of the latest high-capacity devices, all guests will be able to both work, relax and recharge without any worries.

Hamilton Litestat was a Session Sponsor at Hotel Designs LIVE in February 2021, and is also a loyal Recommended Supplier. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. 

Main image credit: Edelle Bruton/Hamilton Litestat

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.