Hotelbird and Vingcard Combine Technology and Expertise to Launch NFC-Enabled Digital Wallet Room Keys at Welcome Hotel Darmstadt

Customer:

Welcome Hotels is a German-based brand featuring more than 14 properties dedicated to providing a home away from home experience that is immersed in authentic German culture.

Challenge:

As a hotel brand with a goal of providing heightened guest comfort, Welcome Hotel sought out the latest technology available that could raise a new standard in check-in and room entry convenience.

Solution:

Deployed at Welcome Hotel Darmstadt in collaboration with Hotelbird a leading digital guest journey solution provider, Mobile Access enabled with digital wallet compatibility represents the next generation of room access for hotels. Now seamlessly available within the Hotelbird ecosystem and based on NFC technology already familiar from tap-to-pay payments, the digital wallet key solution is designed to simplify hotel operations by reducing front desk traffic and hardware hassles.

It further eliminates issues that may be seen with earlier mobile key deployment options. Unlike these technologies, NFC does not require guests to download an app, connect to the internet, or even have a charged phone. With wallet keys via the Hotelbird interface, guests receive a verified digital room key at check-in which they can add to the digital wallet on their iOS or Android device and unlock their room with a simple tap on the door lock. Hotelbird’s wallet key functionality is enabled and supported using Vingcard’s Vostio Access Management platform, allowing hotels to use their existing access control infrastructure. The solution supports all check-in flows, including online, terminal-based, and front desk, and is currently available for hotels operating on the Apaleo or Oracle Cloud property management system.

Welcome Hotel Darmstadt is the first hotel to pilot Hotelbird’s wallet key integration. With decades of experience and a worldwide reputation for secure and scalable door lock and digital key systems, Vingcard provides the technological foundation that makes wallet keys function within the Hotelbird ecosystem. The access control solution provider opted to work with Hotelbird to ensure that wallet keys is not only a robust technology, but is also able to seamlessly be embedded into hotel operations and the guest journey. Together, they have deployed a solution that combines an intuitive guest experience with the scalability required by modern hospitality.