The latest technological developments in hotel locks include encryption for advanced security, connectivity to enhance operations and gain new insights into guest behavior, and mobile phone access that offers new ways to deliver and share digital keys.
Given those developments, upgrading locks now can significantly enhance security and operational efficiency for hoteliers while also preparing them for future technological advancements, said Fayyad Sbaihat, president, Onity.
“Newer locks are equipped with advanced technology, such as Bluetooth connectivity, making them compatible with emerging digital key solutions,” Sbaihat said. “Newer locks also can directly communicate with other smart devices in guest rooms and throughout the hotel, boosting energy efficiency, streamlining staff scheduling, and providing greater control and flexibility.”
Collecting data on door usage frequency, lock health, and alerts—for example, doors left open—is becoming essential as hotels increasingly rely on this information to improve operational efficiency, enhance the customer experience and gain deeper insights into room usage, Sbaihat added.
According to Sbaihat, digital keys and advanced integration with other IT systems will make hotel locks an integral component of a connected solution. “Hoteliers should seek out [lock] providers who will partner with them to find the ideal solution for their needs, while also offering guidance on the added benefits of advanced encryption, digital keys and connected systems,” he said.
Higher Encryption, Higher Costs
Strong encryption and cost-effectiveness of guest room key cards are among the top issues for hoteliers when it comes to locks, according to Chris Lawrence, vice present of sales, Miwa Lock Co.
“Most hotels still use some form of the Mifare Classic card,” Lawrence said. “Mifare Plus cards offer higher encryption, and unlike the Classic card, can’t be copied. But the Plus cards are too expensive for guest use—hoteliers go through thousands and thousands of these cards every year, and it’s not practical for them to spend five dollars per card.”
That’s one reason hoteliers are making a push for guests to adopt digital keys on their smartphones. The challenge here is that brands typically offer that feature only to guests who are part of their rewards program.
“It has been successful for major brands such as Marriott and Hilton, but some other brands and independent hotels have struggled with it,” Lawrence said.
He added that a potential solution is the Apple wallet, which would enable hotels to send easily accessible digital keys to guests who are not using a particular brand’s app.
Another bit of useful lock technology is battery monitoring. Lawrence said Miwa has been partnering with Procell to include a device in Miwa’s locks that allows the batteries to be monitored online.
“It's a smart piece of software that allows the maintenance staff to monitor the battery levels in each room,” he explained. “This is particularly handy for large resorts that are physically spread out, enabling maintenance to stay ahead of the game. There's nothing worse than a guest having a long walk to his or her room and then not being able to get in.”
Lawrence concluded that advanced guest room key technology is great, but hoteliers shouldn’t get so deep into technology that they overlook getting a strong, durable lock.
“Guests just want a lock that works,” he said. “At the end of the day, you can put a lot of technology into locks, but be sure to start with the basics and invest in a quality lock with a good warranty and strong customer support.”
A Transformative Force
Darien Long, senior vice president, specialty access solutions, dormakaba North America, said that connectivity has been, and will continue to be, a transformative force for hotels. In the case of locks, she agreed that digital wallets are transforming guest interactions, bringing room and amenity access directly to smartphones outside of defined mobile applications, as well as eliminating the need for physical key cards.
“Integrations with platforms like Apple Wallet allow guests to easily check in, unlock rooms, share access, and even customize permissions—all from their mobile devices,” Long said. “The result is a seamless experience that streamlines the entire journey—from booking to checkout—making it easier and more intuitive for guests to engage with hotel services.”
Long suggested that hotels likely could benefit from updating to the latest versions of their operating systems and, as available, transitioning to cloud-based products to stay up to date on the latest feature releases.
“Digital solutions and connected experiences enable a smooth integration of operations, both front-of-house and back-of-house,” Long said. “This level of connectivity not only enhances the guest experience but also boosts operational efficiency and responsiveness.”
Long predicted that in the future, hotels can expect to see higher adoption to online, connected locks and cloud offerings that will allow them to be more responsive to potential threats. She said it is essential that property managers identify the end-to-end solutions that are cost-efficient over the long term and that do not compromise the overall guest and staff experience when it’s time to update or upgrade.
Long also noted that in an era where convenience and confidence in security are non-negotiable, hotels are rising to the challenge by embracing innovative technologies. However, with these technological advancements comes an evolving security landscape.
“With the rise in AI and the use of quantum computing, hoteliers should prepare for more frequent updates over the lifetime of their asset to respond to any potential risk that may arise,” Long advised. “You can expect lock vendors to put additional focus on helping hotels be more agile in digesting these changes without large overhead. To maximize these benefits, hotels should consider making all locks online.”
This article was originally published in the November/December edition of Hotel Management magazine. Subscribe here.