Starting Wednesday, guests will be able to use their smartphones as room keys at ten Starwood hotels around the world. The technology will be available in all 150 Aloft, Element, and W Hotels by early next year.
SPG Members must register their phone once through the SPG App and allow push notifications. After booking a reservation at a keyless hotel and approximately 24 hours before arrival, SPG members are invited to opt-in to SPG Keyless. Guests will receive a push notification noting that they are checked in and the SPG App will update with his/her room number and Bluetooth key when the room is ready. Upon arrival at the hotel, the guest can completely bypass the front desk (where available) and go directly to his/her room. After ensuring his/her Bluetooth is enabled, the guest simply opens the SPG App, holds the smartphone to the door lock, waits for the solid green light and enters the room. If you lose your mobile device, you notice right away. If you have to use your passcode to get into your phone, even if someone finds your phone they can’t get into your room.
Starwood, the parent company of Sheraton, Westin, and St. Regis hotels, is not the only chain trying to make key cards obsolete. Hilton is working on a similar technology. Apps may also provide a better way to sell room service, upgrades, and other offerings.
sources: cnn, macrumors.com