Club Quarters Rolls Out NFC Room Keys That Guests Can Store In Their Apple Or Google Wallet
By Emma Herrod
Hotel brand Club Quarters is rolling out contactless room keys that guests can store directly in the digital wallet on their Apple or Android device, enabling them to tap their phone, smartwatch or other personal device to the lock on their hotel room to gain access — without needing to download the brand’s mobile app.
The digital keys supersede the need for traditional key cards as guests can download their room key to their digital wallet directly from the email confirming their hotel booking. The key is automatically activated when the guest checks in electronically and is ready to use as soon as their room becomes available. Guests no longer have to queue at a check-in desk.
The key works without needing to open up an app, navigate to a special screen or unlock the mobile device, and will continue to work for five hours after the device’s battery has died so as not to inconvenience guests. The same digital wallet-based key will also give access to the hotel’s fitness center, and can be updated automatically if a guest extends their stay. Keys are generated by Vingcard’s cloud-based Vostio Access Management solution.
The move is seen as a major step for the hospitality industry, offering guests a more convenient, secure and sustainable experience. While Club Quarters guests have been able to download their key to the hotel’s own mobile app since 2017, the brand is the first to roll out a system compatible with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet across its entire portfolio.
“We truly believe that soon digital keys will displace key cards, which have been shown to be less secure,” says chief executive at Club Quarters John Paul Nichols. “We use our mobile phones to board planes and enter sports and concert venues. Entering your hotel room with a digital key on your phone will become another extension of that, and Club Quarters is incredibly proud to lead the industry in offering this convenience to all of our customers at all of our hotels.”
