Types of electronic hotel lock
An electronic hotel lock can be anything from an older lock with a magnetic-card reader to a modern smart lock with multiple digital key formats. Door mechanisms differ too: strike plates on existing handles, bolt locks on fire doors and magnetic locks on glass entrances. The difference is not cosmetic. Older electronic locks are offline devices that require manual encoding for every new guest. Modern smart locks are network-connected devices that listen to the reservation.
What to demand in digital keys
- QR code sent by email — works without an app.
- Apple Wallet and Google Wallet passes — live on the guest's lock screen.
- NFC access — tap phone or chip for fast entry.
- Mobile app — for guests who prefer an app.
- No guest app required when using QR or Wallet.
Why PMS integration is half the value
A standalone smart lock opens a door but does not know which reservation belongs to which room. A lock connected to the PMS follows the booking automatically — it creates a key when the reservation is assigned to a room and revokes it when the stay ends. The hotel never operates with manual encoding.
Offline access and common buying mistakes
The property internet will go down at least once a year. An electronic hotel lock that stops working in that moment is not acceptable. Look for locks that support offline access — the guest must still enter their room, and events should sync back to the PMS once connectivity returns.
- Buying locks first and PMS second — you end up tied to whatever PMS the lock vendor supports.
- Treating the lock as "just hardware" — the software layer is at least half the value.
- Skipping the main entrance — if only room doors are smart, night-time guests still cannot enter the building.
- Mixing lock brands in one property to save money — you inherit two access systems and double the support burden.
- No plan for internet outages — a lock that fails closed when connectivity drops is not acceptable.