Digital keys are a relatively new technology; they are quickly revolutionising the hospitality industry and are being adopted by major hotel brands globally.
Digital keys are a relatively new technology; they are quickly revolutionising the hospitality industry and are being adopted by major hotel brands globally. Their potential to completely transform the hotel check-in and room access experience is unmatched.
Mobile access technology has transformed the hotel guest experience by eliminating the hassle of physical key cards and check-in queues. Digital keys allow guests to access their rooms with their smartphones effortlessly. This seamless process not only saves time and energy but also adds value to the guest experience and engagement, and helps hotels save money and improve day-to-day efficiency. Guests now have the convenience of remote check-in, receiving digital keys in advance, and bypassing the front desk entirely. This newfound freedom empowers guests to have greater control over their stay, ultimately enhancing their overall satisfaction and convenience.
Today’s travellers are looking for a balance of technological and human innovations, deeper connections and care, embedded wellness experiences, and more—and digital keys are the ideal solution, making travel more accessible, personalized, and efficient.
How do digital keys work?
Digital keys unlock new levels of keyless convenience for hotels and other accommodations. With this innovative technology, guests can use a smartphone as a digital room key, bypassing the front desk and cutting wait times to almost zero.
Digital keys – which are also referred to as mobile keys – work through a hotel's mobile app, or by using smartphone features like Apple Wallet. Salto also delivers digital keys via its own mobile application, the JustIN Mobile technology, and Salto Space or Salto KS solution. Guests can simply download the app and fill in their profile and reservation details. The key provider then generates a secure digital key and transmits it to the guest's phone “Over the Air” (OTA) using Bluetooth or NFC technology.
Once properly set up, guests simply open the app and hold their phone to the door lock to gain access to the hotel room.
Benefits of digital keys for guests and staff
Digital keys offer numerous benefits to both hotels and guests, including:
- Enhances guest satisfaction: Enable guest service innovations creating value-add opportunities to drive business to your hotel, enhancing the guest experience.
- Convenience: Provide the modern, easy access option guests increasingly expect with digital keys or keycards giving convenient, instant, and safe access.
- Faster check-in experience: Guests using their smartphones as room keys can skip the front desk, allowing staff to focus on delivering excellent guest service, ultimately enhancing the overall stay.
- Simplified front office operations: Simplify and automate guest key management processes and free up staff to spend more time interacting with guests for a more personalized experience.
- Guest data and insights: Track guest access patterns, such as the frequency and timing of room entries, enabling valuable information
- Enhanced security: Create a security ecosystem that provides safe, convenient, and seamless guest access throughout the property.
- Cost savings: Improve workflows and processes across the business — from reservations to front desk, maintenance to security management, and housekeeping to sales and marketing.
- Eco-friendly technology: Eliminate plastic keycard waste to deliver an environmentally friendly, sustainable, and long-term solution.
Cut wait times with contactless check-in
The most significant advantage of digital keys is the convenience and flexibility they offer. Guests no longer need to go to the front desk to pick up a room keys. Instead, they can check in ahead of their arrival, go straight to the room, and unlock the door using a smartphone. This streamlined process saves time and enhances the check-in experience allowing guests toctart enjoying their stay much sooner.
Studies show that long check-in waiting times can negatively impact hotel guest satisfaction scores. Allowing guests to bypass reception and head straight to a room increases hotel ratings and the number of repeat guests. Additionally, in the age of social distancing, contactless check-in has become more important than ever. With digital keys, guests don't have to stand in line or interact with hotel staff to access a room.
Boost the guest experience
Digital keys provide a seamless guest experience, from check-in to check-out.
- Guests can skip long lines at the front desk by checking in using a smartphone.
- Unlocking rooms is as simple as tapping the phone on the door lock – no more fumbling with keycards or misplaced keys. Also, guests don't have to return to the front desk if their keycard stops working.
- Digital keys give guests access to more than just their room. Many hotels integrate room keys with amenities like the gym, pool, business areas, lifts/elevators, parking garage gates, and more.
- Special offers, discounts, and promotions can be sent directly to a guest's phone via the hotel app, allowing for tailored and timely offers based on their stay patterns and preferences.
- Guests can enjoy seamless access across the hotel, from entrances, perimeter access doors, and elevators, to gyms, business areas, parking, and more.
With digital keys, the guest experience is streamlined and hassle-free. Guests have the entire hotel in the palm of their hands during their stay.
Beyond access control capabilities, digital keys can integrate seamlessly with a hotel’s mobile app and loyalty programs. After downloading the hotel app and connecting to a profile, guests can manage their entire stay from a smartphone. The app lets guests book a room, check in, choose a room, access a digital key, manage requests with hotel staff, order room service, book new services, request assistance, and more. This creates a personalised and interactive guest experience.
By implementing digital keys, hotels can provide guests with maximum convenience, contactless engagement, and a tech-enabled guest experience. Digital keys are a powerful asset for hotels looking to improve and modernise the guest journey.
A worthwhile investment
Digital keys are an exciting innovation for the hospitality industry that provides numerous benefits for hotels and guests. While transitioning to digital keys involves challenges like upfront costs and learning curves, the long-term benefits make it a worthwhile investment.
Digital key technology represents an important step forward for the hospitality industry. The advantages for both hotels and guests ensure that they will play a key role in the industry's future.
Combining easy access, digital keys, and smart guest rooms with unified property management systems that protect individuals and assets is a unique challenge for every hospitality business. Looking to learn more? Click here to discover more about Salto’s smart access solutions for Hospitality, and follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram for the latest updates.
