An industry first: Hyatt introduces...

The new contactless key technology enables guests to use their iPhone or Apple Watch to access their rooms

An industry first, Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the introduction of room keys in Apple Wallet. World of Hyatt guests at participating locations can now securely tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock guest rooms and key card-protected common areas like gyms, pools, and lifts.

This marks an important milestone as Hyatt continues to reimagine the guest experience through digital innovations, offering more control and flexibility during their stay.

Commenting on the announcement, Hyatt senior vice president and global head of Digital and Technology, Julia Vander Ploeg siad: “Like everything we do at Hyatt, our approach to technology always includes listening to our guests and members. We heard that they want access to be near-instantaneous. Room keys in Apple Wallet is an easy, convenient and secure room key option for our guests when they travel.

We are proud to work with Apple to launch this game-changing digital experience

Many consumer technologies evolve through a ‘tipping point’ that drives a change in adoption. We believe our collaboration with Apple on this new approach to room keys in Apple Wallet can be exactly that.”

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Guests can add their room key to Apple Wallet from the World of Hyatt app. Once added, the room key in Apple Wallet will be updated to let them know when it’s time for check-in. Once the room is ready and the guest is checked in, the room key in Apple Wallet will be activated.

Once a room key is added to Apple Wallet, guests can hold their device near the door’s key reader to access key card-protected areas. With Express Mode, guests don’t need to unlock their device to use their room key in Apple Wallet. If their iPhone needs to be charged, they can still use the device to unlock their room or common areas for up to five hours with the automatic Power Reserve.

Hyatt room keys in Apple Wallet are supported by ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions door locks and their Vostio Access Management cloud-based solution.

The initiative is currently in place at six participating US hotels: Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort; Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa; Hyatt House Chicago,West Loop-Fulton Market; Hyatt House Dallas,Richardson; Hyatt Place Fremont, Silicon Valley and Hyatt Regency Long Beach.

Other hotel chains already adopting contactless entry include Marriott. The mega chain’s Marriott Bonvoy app can be used for mobile check-in and check-out, and as a mobile key. However, in GCC countries that stipulate all guests must provide ID at check-in, the process must be completed in person to present the necessary documentation.

For more information, visit www.hyatt.com