Smart IoT Hotel System for Lychnos Hotel with the support of StarGrowth Project.

About StarGrowth

The European Union has been aiming for sustainable development for nearly 20 years, and the European Green Deal is the roadmap to make the EU’s economy sustainable. The SME Strategy for a Sustainable and Digital Europe also recognizes that capacity building and support to SMEs is key to transition to sustainability and digitalization. Tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing sectors, contributing to 11% of the EU’s GDP and 11.2% of total EU employment. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an acute and pervasive effect on the tourism sector. Rural destinations and ecotourism have emerged as the most attractive options in the wake of the pandemic, bringing many potential benefits such as seasonality mitigation, promotion of local economies, protection of natural capital, and enhancement of environmental awareness. Therefore, the Star Growth project will focus on supporting the transition to sustainability and digitalisation of rural tourism and ecotourism SMEs in 6 countries, providing customized support services and training for the sustainable and slow development of these sectors.

Customer: Lychnos Hotel, Askas, Cyprus

Objective:

The objective of this project was to address the unique sustainability and operational challenges faced by our agro-tourism hotel in the mountainous village of Askas, situated 1000m above sea level. The key challenges included operational efficiency, reducing resource and energy consumption, and improving sustainability practices while ensuring a healthier environment and guest experience.

Solution Provided:

• LoRaWAN Gateway(s)

  • Deployed to establish wireless coverage throughout the hotel using the LoRaWAN protocol, enabling long-range, low-power communication with smart devices.

• Temperature Sensor(s)

  • Installed in refrigeration units to monitor proper temperature levels and reduce food waste.

• Smart Energy Meter(s)

  • Measure and log electricity usage across various hotel systems and areas.

• Smart Water Meter(s)

  • Record water consumption in real time across different operational zones.

• Light Controller(s)

  • Enabled remote switching of lighting systems to reduce unnecessary energy consumption and optimize electricity use in shared spaces.

• Water Leakage Sensor(s)

  • Detect abnormal water flow or leaks early to prevent water waste and infrastructure damage.

• Indoor Air Quality Sensor(s)

  • Monitor parameters such as CO₂, PMs, temperature, UV radiation, etc., for both guest comfort and real-time information display.

• Smoke Detector(s)

  • Installed in key indoor areas to provide real-time alerts in case of smoke or fire presence, enhancing guest safety and emergency preparedness.

• BMS System Central Control Unit(s)

  • Tablet provided hotel staff with mobile access to dashboards and system controls, enabling real-time monitoring and manual overrides from anywhere on the premises.

• Web Platform & Mobile Application

  • CyRIC IoT Web Platform and CyRIC IoT Mobile Application

Results

• Financial Sustainability

  • Reduced energy and water usage lowered operational costs, especially critical during winter months when consumption was high.

• Energy Sustainability

  • The optimization of heating and HVAC systems reduced the hotel’s energy footprint and supported Cyprus’s and the EU’s environmental objectives.

• Competitiveness

  • The ability to remotely control and monitor systems improved reliability and guest comfort.

  • Displaying real-time environmental data (such as air quality) improved guest perception and supported our positioning as a wellness and eco-tourism destination.

  • Our actions enhanced our visibility among eco-conscious travelers and increased repeat visits and referrals.