No need for keys at W Hotel Singapore

SINGAPORE - Now when you check-in to W Hotel Singapore, you can bypass the front desk, head directly to your room and unlock your room door with a simple tap of your smartphone.

Earlier this month, the Starwoord Hotels & Resorts group rolled out a keyless entry system allowing guests to use their smartphone as a key.

For a start, the system is first introduced at 10 of its hotels, including W Hotel Singapore; but by early 2015, the group intends to make it available in 150 hotels around the world across Aloft, Element and W hotels.

Claiming to be an industry first, the group said in a recent media statement that SPG Keyless is a "groundbreaking turning point in the traditional hotel experience".

Frits van Paasschen, Starwood's President & Chief Executive Officer, said: "Not only does SPG Keyless alleviate a perennial pain point for travelers, but it also transforms the first interaction with our guests from one that is transactional to something more personal."

"This is just the beginning, because through mobile we have the opportunity to marry high tech and high touch to transform the hotel experience in many exciting ways," he added.

SPG Keyless is available to Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members who book a hotel room through one of Starwood's hotel websites, app or customer contact centres.

All these qualifying guests have to do approximately 24 hours before their arrival at a 'keyless' hotel is to download the SPG App and allow push notifications.

They will then receive a push notification indicating that they are checked in and the app will update with his/her room number and bluetooth key when the room is ready.

Upon arrival, the guest should ensure that bluetooth is enabled. He/she can then open the door of his/her room by launching the SPG App, holding it at room door lock and wait for a green light to come on before entering the room.

For more information on how SPG Keyless works, and hotels where SPG Keyless is available, visit https://www.spgpromos.com/keyless/ .

maryanns@sph.com.sg