Accor says it is rolling out its digital key solution following a pilot in North America, Europe and Asia.
The Accor Key will be introduced in new properties opening in 2021 and the France-based hotel company has a goal of 500 hotels this year and 50% of all rooms within five years.
The digital key is a partnership with STAYmyway, a company providing digital access solutions for hotels and private accommodation.
Guests will receive the tool, providing access to rooms, meeting rooms and floors via lifts, by downloading Accor’s digital key app.
Keys are deactivated as soon as guests end their stay at a property.
Floor Bleeker, chief information officer at Accor, says: “Guests increasingly seek contact-light travel and hotel experiences. Therefore, the easy to operate and highly practical application will provide a streamlined process for our guests.”
Other large hotel companies have had digital key service for some years with Hilton first introducing its initiative for loyalty program members in 2015 and Marriott a little later.
The pandemic has driven the implementation of touchless solutions across all areas of hotels with the seamless experience being rapidly replaced by the contactless experience.