Physical and virtual access management: Three hotels distinguished by exceptional hospitality.

In the hospitality industry, access management is crucial for commercial success. It makes a significant contribution to guest satisfaction and strengthens the good reputation of the industry. Effective access management can be of great benefit to hotels: on the one hand, electronic locks and mobile access technologies offer seamless access to rooms, while on the other hand, they increase security for guests. Access management software also enables quick check-in and check-out. This makes the hotel stay more comfortable for guests and improves their experience. And last but not least, efficient access management means more time for reception staff to attend to the important needs of guests.

How can hotels take advantage of access management in light of these benefits? These three hotels have found solutions that work well for their requirements.

Hotel Cristall: Comfort Combined with Convenience

Cologne is a cultural center with countless galleries and museums. The German metropolis is home to twelve Romanesque churches with medieval architecture, and the famous Cologne Cathedral – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is its most popular landmark. The city is also well known beyond its borders for its festive Christmas markets and the Cologne Carnival, one of the largest street festivals in Europe.

In the heart of Cologne, the Hotel Cristall is just a five-minute walk from Cologne Cathedral, the main train station, and the main shopping streets. The boutique hotel (Boutique 009 Köln) offers over 90 rooms and is designed in warm colors, with plenty of light and custom-made furniture.

Toni Rübsteck, project manager and building technician at Hotel Cristall, set out to renew the hotel's outdated locking system. "We were looking for a convenient, reliable system that required as few changes as possible to our doors," says Rübsteck.

Hotel Cristall opted for an access system based on Mifare Classic RFID technology with a clear, straightforward design and good build quality. It could be attached to the outside of the door over the existing lock, as it is a self-contained unit with no exposed electronics. "The system worked perfectly from the start, and guest operations continued as normal," says Rübsteck. Guests now use access cards to easily unlock their room doors, ensuring comfort and convenience.

Scandic Hotels: World-Class Excellence

The Swedish capital Stockholm stretches across fourteen islands connected by more than fifty bridges and is exceptionally rich in culture and history. Travelers can stroll through the winding alleys of the Old Town or visit one of the city's many museums, including the ABBA Museum, dedicated to the pop group, and the Vasa Museum, which houses the best-preserved ship of the 17th century.

With 26 hotels around Stockholm, the Scandic Hotels Group has something to offer every traveler. Visitors can choose between hotels within walking distance of the many restaurants, shops, and theaters in the city center, or stay in a quieter area away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The hotel "Haymarket by Scandic" exudes the optimism and elegance of the 1920s, while "Scandic Foresta" offers every imaginable comfort in the castle perched high on the cliffs of Lidingö Island. "Scandic Grand Central" is a New York-inspired hotel with its own theater, hosting concerts, cultural events, and film premieres. "Downtown Camper by Scandic" offers a straightforward yet urban atmosphere. It is the ideal starting point for those who want to explore the city. Instead of traditional conference rooms, social spaces can be used. These are tailored to the needs of modern companies for team-building activities, workshops, and social gatherings, and are suitable for letting your creativity run free.

The guest rooms of the Scandic Hotels in Stockholm are equipped with mobile-enabled RFID hotel door locks. Instead of physical keys or access cards, a digital key is set up on the guest's smartphone. Mobile access with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and the ability to automatically provide credentials on guests' mobile devices allows them to go directly to their rooms. For guests, this type of access management is very convenient, while for reception staff it provides relief and enables more efficient work. Overall, the handling is convenient, reliable, and secure, and meets the high standards of Scandic Hotels.

The Townsend Hotel: Luxury at Its Finest

The fact that European elegance does not have to be limited to Europe is impressively demonstrated by the multi-award-winning Townsend Hotel in Birmingham (Michigan, USA). Picturesquely located in the "Great Lake State", it offers an attractive vacation destination for athletes and nature lovers and is only 20 miles from Detroit, the cradle of the automotive industry. The luxury hotel, located in the heart of Birmingham, has over 150 spacious rooms and suites with fine linens, refrigerator and mini-bar, and evening turndown service.

In the magnificent lobby with English decor, crystal chandeliers, and marble fireplace, tea time is celebrated in style. The many parks in the area and the nearby picturesque lakes are ideal excursion destinations. With its share of four of the five "Great Lakes", Michigan has the longest freshwater coastline of any US state and more than 11,000 smaller inland lakes.

One aspect of the luxurious ambiance of the Townsend Hotel is the RFID hotel door locks on every room door. The locks are slim and elegantly designed, tamper-proof, and thus combine style with security. In addition, they are BLE-enabled, so hotel staff can issue digital keys and guests can use their smartphones as room keys. This is comfort and convenience at its finest.