OREA Hotels & Resorts has begun rolling out room keys stored in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet at two Czech properties, allowing guests to enter their rooms with a phone or compatible Apple Watch.
The service is available at OREA Place Seno in Prague and OREA Resort Sklář. It uses Vingcard’s wallet-key technology and connects with MyOREA, the hotel group’s web app for online check-in, bill payment and guest services.
Guests complete the online check-in process and add a key to their wallet once a room has been assigned. Reception staff continue to verify identity documents upon arrival before guests use the digital credential for room access. The mobile key supplements that identification process rather than replacing it.
Door access uses near-field communication, or NFC, the short-range wireless technology also used for contactless payments. Guests hold their phone or watch near the reader, and the key works without a Wi-Fi or cellular connection at the door.
OREA supports iPhones, Apple Watch and NFC-enabled Android phones. On supported iPhones, Power Reserve can keep the key available for up to five hours after the phone’s battery runs out. Physical room cards remain available and can still be used to activate a room’s electricity.
Express Mode allows a guest to tap a device without unlocking it or opening an app. Face ID, Touch ID or passcode authentication is required to view reservation details in Apple Wallet, but not for each Express Mode door tap.
The keys are stored locally on the device and use encrypted NFC communication with the reader, OREA says. At checkout, the credential is remotely deactivated and archived; changes to a stay can update the associated key.
Hotels have been adding access credentials to existing consumer wallets. New Zealand’s SmartStay introduced Apple Wallet and Google Wallet room keys, while Safetrust launched an Aliro migration credential for organizations moving from older access-control systems to standards-based credentials.
OREA plans to extend wallet keys to Hotel Pyramida Praha, Resort Horizont Šumava and Hotel Andel’s Prague by the end of 2026. The group is introducing the service property by property, checking lock-system compatibility and internal integrations before expanding beyond the initial locations.
Sources: TravelDailyNews, OREA
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
