Seamlessly integrating smartphone technology into hotel room access at Aloft Denver
As more and more millennials move into the workforce, expectations about how technology should integrate into day-to-day life is changing rapidly. So for a hotel that caters to hip, young, tech-savvy business travelers, having cutting-edge tech meld seamlessly into the guest experience is a top priority.
When Starwood Hotels started planning for its Aloft Hotel in downtown Denver, the company knew it wanted guests to be able to check in, get their room number and unlock their door, all through the company’s proprietary smartphone app. To make the system work, Starwood provided contractor Martines Palmeiro Construction with a very specific set of criteria for its door opening products.
Because the Starwood system was so new, there was little precedent for how to best manage integration and build out for a contractor. American Direct’s position as an industry leader helped them direct Martines Palmeiro to the most efficient and cost-effective products that would accommodate the Starwood system.
Those efficiencies were extended as American Direct also handled installation of the openings hardware on the project. This turnkey approach places the responsibility for the product and installation in the hands of American Direct and minimizes the need for the owner to utilize their own resources or engage others.
“If there are any product or installation issues along the way, American Direct can adjust immediately on the fly,” said American Direct Director of Engineering Coordination Randy Greer. “That way, there is as little impact for the customer as possible.”
The electronic access control used in the Denver Aloft Hotel is not only convenient for the hotel guest, but is also a smart choice regarding hotel security. The system can be programmed to allow staff access to only certain openings. This provides an electronic tracking component, should an electronic paper trail ever need to be consulted. If a door is held open too long, or appears to have been tampered with, an alarm will alert security. These “smart capabilities” reduce costs in the long run. In addition, there is a high level of energy savings because these card readers can efficiently go into “sleep mode,” so that they are not constantly drawing energy.
“The hotel guest is more secure and has more accessibility overall,” said American Direct Project Manager Peyton Whetstone. “The hotel can operate more efficiently in multiple aspects.”
