Choosing the Right Hotel Door Lock System

Did​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ you know that guest anxiety about security decreases a lot and satisfaction scores go up when you install modern access systems? For hoteliers, deciding on the right Hotel Door Lock System is a major influence on both the facility’s working capacity and the guests’ view of the hotel. 

Modern travelers, while choosing hotels with modern door lock systems, demand technology that is effortless, quick, and very secure. In the same way that you regularly check your policies to stay compliant and keep the clients’ trust, you also need to check your security hardware. Such a tactical move allows you to steer clear of reputation damage, shorten check-in times, and increase your revenue to the fullest. This guide assists hotel managers in dealing with the changing landscape of electronic hotel locks and in making a wise, future-proof ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌decision. 

Types of Hotel Door-Lock System

Understanding the core technology behind the lock is the first step. 

Electronic Key-Card Locks (Magstripe & RFID)

The best-known modern keycard is RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), which uses an encrypted key card that just has to be put close to the reader or be waved in front of it. Besides providing higher security, it offers a much more comfortable, contactless guest experience than the old, oftentimes failing Magstripe systems.

Biometric Locks

This advanced system revolves around one-of-a-kind attributes of a person, which are fingerprint or facial recognition in this case. Hence, they provide the highest security level possible and do not require any kind of key or card, thus making them perfect for staff-secured areas, spas, or executive floors. 

Smartphone-Based Smart Locks

This is the quickest-expanding segment of the market. A digital key that is downloaded safely to the hotel’s mobile app (via Bluetooth Low Energy or NFC) is what a guest uses to open his/her room. Consequently, the time spent at the front desk is cut radically, and the keyless, contactless check-in is welcomed by the guests. ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌

Hybrid and Transitional Systems

These are practical solutions for a phased upgrade. Hybrid systems allow properties to retrofit existing doors with new technology or use a combination of systems, such as offering both key cards and a mobile app option.

Key Features of Good Hotel Lock System

When​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ deciding upon various options, your thinking should not be limited to the mere function of locking and unlocking. The real worth of a contemporary system is in its monitoring and coordination features. In case you require sturdy hardware and professionals, it would be better if you find a reliable hotel door lock system supplier who is aware of these technical necessities.

Access Logging & Audit Trail

Every interaction of the location that came in, at what time, and whether their access was rejected should be documented and stored in a digital format. This digital record of interactions is indispensable for security investigations and the settlement of disagreements.

Emergency & Staff Access Controls

The system installed at your premises should be capable of allowing differently leveled access for security, maintenance, and housekeeping staff. More importantly, the lock should have a firmly built mechanical emergency override, which can be used even when the system is without power.

Alternative Power Support

Most electronic hotel locks are battery-powered; therefore, those devices should give a clear indication of a low-battery status to the staff and must have a port for an external power source in order to be able to provide a quick battery replacement without a security breach or inconvenience to guests.

Weather & Environmental Resistance

The requirement for hardware used in hotels located in coastal or mountain areas with high humidity is that locks should be of top-quality material (stainless steel or zinc alloy) and have sufficient IP values to be able to resist rust and prevent malfunction.

Integration with Hotel Management System / PMS / Security Systems

If a lock is good, it communicates with the entire property. Smooth connection with your Property Management System (PMS) makes key cards or mobile keys turn on at check-in and turn off at check-out instantly. This is also important for creating a link between the lock and your hotel room doorbell system and in-room energy controls.

Automatic Locking & Auto-Relock

The lock must be equipped with an automatic re-locking feature to ensure that it is securely fastened to the door again in a short period of time after the guest closes the door; thus, the risk of human error is mitigated, and the room is always secured even in the event the guest is not closing the door properly or forgets to do ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌so.

Choose the Right Door-Lock System for Your Property

The right system to be picked is the one that matches the technology with your business model: 

• Budget/Mid-Range Hotels – Concentrate on good quality RFID Key-Card Locks only. They provide a modern standard of security and reliability that is compatible with the idea of mobile systems, but without the high initial cost.

• High-End/Luxury Hotels – Put your money into Smartphone-Based Smart Locks (BLE/NFC). In this way, you are satisfying the luxury guest’s need for keyless, contactless convenience, and also you are helping to promote your brand as being technologically advanced.

• Older Buildings / Historic Sites – The best choice is a Hybrid/Retrofit RFID System. This enables you to have the benefits of a contemporary access control system, and at the same time retain the historical value of the door and the frame.

• Resorts & Large Campuses – Go for the best of both, an integrated RFID/Mobile system. The RFID cards can be used not only for check-in but also for payment and access (pool/gym), while the mobile keys ease check-in at different campuses or buildings. 

We recommend that you look through the different models and their accessories to find what suits your aesthetic and technical needs by checking out the online catalog of a trustworthy digital door locks ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌supplier. If​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ you want to know more about the security benefits that modern systems offer, it would be worthwhile to go through our comprehensive guide: How Smart Hotel Locks Enhance Safety.

Final Recommendations for Hoteliers

As now we’ve come to conclusion, so we know that changing​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ to a different lock system is a big decision that affects the safety, the functioning, and the money saved or spent by the company in the long run. It is necessary to give first-hand importance to the kind of hardware that is able to resist the high traffic and the local environment, while getting rid of those systems that make the situation worse rather than better. Most importantly, do not just purchase a lock; commit to a partnership with a certified hotel door lock system provider who offers full support, installation, and staff training. 

As a result of putting your emphasis on these elements, you not only make your security investment last, but it also greatly facilitates the guests’ experience and helps your hotel brand to be known as the one of the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌best.