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Hotels are constantly changing and introducing new features to improve their guests' experience, and one of the biggest changes in recent years is the shift from traditional plastic key cards to smartphone-based digital keys. You might have noticed that in most hotels now, instead of checking in at the front desk and receiving a physical key card, you can simply unlock your room using a mobile app.
But why are so many hotels making this switch? What makes smartphone keys better than the old ones? Let’s find out.
Travel can be tiring, and the last thing guests want after a long journey is to wait in a long line at the front desk just to get their room key. With digital keys, there is no need to stop at the reception for it. There is also no need to carry a plastic key card, which can easily get lost or stop working. Having a digital key makes everything fast, easy, and stress-free.
Plastic key cards can be lost, stolen, or even copied, which makes them risky. If someone finds or steals a key card, they can easily enter the room. Smartphone keys, on the other hand, are much safer. They use special security technology to protect access.
Many phones also have extra safety features like fingerprint scans or face recognition so only the owner can use them. And, if a guest loses their phone, they don’t have to worry. The hotel can quickly turn off the digital key, so no one else can use it.
Smartphone keys do more than just unlock doors. Many hotel apps let guests control different things in their room, like adjusting the lights, changing the temperature, or even opening the curtains, all from their phone.
Guests can also use the app to order room service, book a spa treatment, or ask for housekeeping without calling the front desk. This makes everything faster and easier, giving guests more control over their stay and making their experience more comfortable and personal.
The COVID-19 pandemic made people more careful about hygiene and safety, and hotels needed to find ways to reduce face-to-face contact between guests and staff. Digital keys help by allowing guests to check in and enter their rooms without touching anything at the front desk. This makes guests feel safer and helps reduce the spread of germs.
How many times have you locked yourself out of a hotel room because you left your key card inside? This is frustrating, especially when you realise your key card is inside or you lost it. With a smartphone key, this problem is less likely to happen. Most people always carry their phones around, which also means there is no way the key will remain behind. If your phone battery dies, you can still go to the front desk for help. But overall, digital keys make lockouts much less common.
While digital keys have many benefits, there are a few concerns;
As technology continues to improve, digital keys will likely become the standard in hotels around the world. They make check-in faster, increase security, and create a better guest experience. In a world where people rely on their smartphones for almost everything, using technology like this was expected.
We are a family of 4 - mother, father and two children. Our aim is to travel the world and review all travel opportunities to help other families.
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