There might be several reasons why you want to change your accommodation locks. It can simply be that the locks have outdated and do not work very well. It could be that you want to run your accommodation with your stuff spending less hours greeting and meeting the guests and offering your guests a quicker check-in experience. It could be that you are offering different amenities to your guests, like sauna or spa area, and want to differentiate the accommodation packages that include or do not include these experiences without too much hassle giving out the access rights to enter these rooms.
We have outlined main points you should think about before updating your locks.
1. How would you like your guests to be able to open the doors?
When deciding on an access method for your accommodation, consider the type of experience you want to offer your guests. Traditional hotel key cards are still widely used, but many properties are moving towards more flexible and sustainable options.
Using pin-codes or mobile access allows guests to bypass the front desk entirely. This not only improves the check-in experience but also reduces the workload for staff and enhances overall operational efficiency. Meeting and greeting guests may demonstrate great hospitality in many cases. At the same time, there are times when your guests would prefer quick access to their room. For example, imagine a family with young, tired children arriving after a long day. Many hotels also avoid using plastic cards due to environmental concerns and opt out of plastic cards for this reason.
2. Online vs offline access control system.
Regardless of your preferred door-opening options for your guests, you can choose either online or offline locks. An online access control system allows you to manage all your locks and key cards remotely, offering many benefits. For example, if your guests decide to extend their stay, they do not need to visit the front desk to have their key cards updated. Similarly, if they decide to check out early, the front desk does not need to collect their key cards to revoke their access to their rooms.
Many hotels offer additional amenities, such as a sauna or spa area or perhaps tennis courts. While some hotels choose to provide these amenities to all guests, others prefer to sell different packages. With online locks, guests can book these additional amenities online, and their key cards or access codes will automatically update to grant access to these facilities.
3. Automation options.
An online access control system offers the ability to integrate with your other hospitality systems, most importantly with your Property Management System (PMS). These integrations enable a wide range of automation options that can significantly reduce your operational costs, even if you use traditional hotel key cards.
Some of the most important automations with your PMS are:
• Online Check-In and Payments: Guests can upload their travel documents and verify a payment method for their stay. With an online access control system integration, a room is automatically allocated to the guest, and a key card is prepared for distribution. Alternatively, a PIN code is generated for the guest to access their room and any other areas they are authorized to enter.
• Automated Messages: Customised welcome messages are automatically sent out to guests. These messages include a PIN code or secure mobile access links to unlock their room door or access other areas of the hotel, such as gate barriers or garage doors.
• Online Check-Out: Guests can review and pay their invoice online. In the case of an early check-out, access is updated automatically without requiring any intervention from front desk staff.
• Cleaning Staff Management: The cleaning staff’s schedule and access to rooms are managed online, based on real-time check-out information.
However, there are a variety of other automation options, schedule a demo meeting with us to learn more. Depending on your needs, it may also be a good idea to replace the hotel locks and implement a new Property Management System simultaneously.
4. The type of locks currently installed on your hotel doors.
The type of locks currently installed on your hotel doors is an important consideration when choosing new ones. Unless you are building a new hotel or undergoing a complete renovation, your hotel doors already have some form of locks. Do not worry if you currently have simple mechanical locks with keys or offline battery-operated locks. This doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade to an online access control system without extensive wiring. There are smart hotel locks, such as WebLock Shield, that can be installed directly on the door and connect to the internet wirelessly.
On the other hand, if your hotel doors are already equipped with electric locks, it might make sense to replace them with wired hotel locks. In some cases, it may also be more straightforward to install keypads on the walls next to the doors and use electric striker plates for operation. Often, there are existing wires near the main door for electric switches, which can help keep installation costs down. Although wired locks are a bit more expensive to install initially, they save you the hassle of regularly changing batteries. If you prefer to have lower operational expenses (OPEX), you might want to choose this option when building a new hotel.
5. Impact of the weather:
Not all locks are suitable for outdoor temperatures and may cause various issues. Even if most of your hotel doors are indoors, it’s important to consider the outdoor doors that you want your guests to access with key cards or PIN codes. Ensure that the lock system you choose is designed to withstand outdoor conditions and has integration options that work with your existing systems.
Our WebLock keypads are proven to perform reliably even in extremely high and low temperatures.
6. Cost of Replacement:
It’s important to look beyond the initial investment cost when replacing your hotel locks. While buying new locks can be expensive upfront, consider the long-term savings and benefits. For example, installing an automated access control system might allow you to operate with fewer staff members at the front desk, significantly reducing personnel costs over time. Moreover, modern systems can minimize maintenance costs and reduce the likelihood of lost or stolen keys, adding additional savings.