As one of the most important parts of the hospitality sector, hotels are a vital cog in the UK economy. They play such a key role in letting people travel for work, explore new cities on vacation, or even just escape for a nice little city break. When someone rents a hotel room, though, they expect two things at a bare minimum: a clean, well-cared-for room and privacy. That’s why there is an increasing drive to have an electronic door lock on every hotel room door.

It makes sense, too. The days of relying on lock-and-key doors are over; hotels can now install keyless door locks. Not only does that make access easier for the guest, but it also makes it simpler to prevent access. If you have been considering installing an electronic door lock on your hotel room doors, read this insight from Locks & Handles. As security experts, we found their insight into the matter most illuminating!

What Do Electronic Door Locks Do For Hotel Rooms?

Over the last decade or so, the use of electric door locks has become more common. Smart locks for doors were once seen as the kind of thing we would use in high-end properties and government security facilities. That, though, is changing: keyless security door locks are more affordable than ever. Why? What makes the shift from keyed locks to electric locks so popular?

Before we answer that, let’s look at the main reason why hotels even consider their installation. Generally, the two main reasons are simple enough to grasp:

  • Guests want to be able to access their room without having to fumble around with a key
  • Hotel staff want to know that they can access rooms for security purposes quickly

If someone in a hotel room has an accident but the door is locked with a key, getting in without damaging the door is not always easy. By the same token, if a guest wants to get into their room quickly, they don’t want to have to rummage around to find a key. Nor does either party want to bear the financial cost of losing a hotel room key, which requires an expensive replacement.

An electronic door lock, like a keypad lock, is much easier to open without the same fuss. Staff can enter the PIN code or use a digital fob to enter, as can the guest. That improves access for both parties in an emergency and makes guests feel more secure. At the same time, they feel happier because they can come and go much more quickly than with a key.

The Benefits Of Electric Door Locks In Hotels

Now that you can see why these are ideal for your hotel, let’s look a little closer at the benefits. Per Locks & Handles, some of the main features that an electronic door lock provides to your hotel include:

Greater Safety & Privacy

With a keyed lock, only someone with enough skill to pick it can leave the room unsecured. If a guest does not lock their door as soon as they enter or exit the hotel room, their privacy and safety are immediately put at risk. With an electric door lock, that is simply not the case.

For one, most electric door locks automatically lock behind them. That means that as soon as the code is entered and the door is closed, the individual has 100% privacy guaranteed. 

Yes, staff can enter the same PIN code and enter as easily as they could with a key, but digital locks for doors are tracked. That means any staff member unlawfully entering hotel rooms will be more likely to be caught; thus, they are far less likely to attempt such an act in the first place. 

Variable Access Options

There is also the benefit that you can use various entry methods according to your preferences. You could set up digital keycards for guests to swipe to enter, or use a key fob or a PIN code. The choices are numerous, making it much easier for your hotel to move to a more modern system. 

These options give you greater control over how staff and guests interact with your doors. One thing is for sure, though: a hotel door without a keyhole is far harder to break into. Digital locks for doors tend to have much more robust internal locks, and with no keyhole, it’s harder for someone to break in. 

Remote Resets For Missing Credentials

Another great feature of smart door locks is that staff can remotely reset the access code or replace the keycard/fob. If someone loses a keycard, fob, or PIN code, reception can simply remove the old code from the database and replace it in seconds. Fobs and keycards can be kept in bulk, too, making it easy to replace one and costing the hotel very little.

Compare that to the cost of replacing a key. You would need to hire a locksmith to rekey the door and cut new keys, which would cost the hotel and/or the guest considerable sums of money. It also takes time, meaning the room is out of order until the lock and key can be replaced. 

With electronic door locks, removing and replacing access is much easier, as is replacing lost access credentials like fobs, cards, and/or codes. The room can be made accessible again in minutes rather than hours or even days. 

Modernise Your Hotel While Improving Access And Privacy For All

There is a balance to be found between ensuring guests can access their rooms safely and staff can gain entry when required. That balance is not always easy to strike, though with an electric door lock, it becomes much easier.

You should consider hiring a locksmith to provide a quote to upgrade the doors in your hotel to smart locks. Your guests will love it, and your staff will find it simplifies many aspects of hotel administration. Everyone benefits, so why wait?