Access Control Systems: choosing the best solution for your hotel development

In the past, hotel receptionists would hand guests a metal key upon arrival. There may have been a wall of keys hanging behind them, one for each door. (In fact, this is still the case for some hotels who are not yet embracing the power of technology).

However, times have changed.

Nowadays, your guests are far more likely to be handed a credit card sized ‘key’ that gives access to your room and other doors along the way. In fact, they may even collect this card from a check-in terminal rather than a staff member.

This is known as electronic access control. To put it simply, the meaning is in the name – the process of controlling the different access rights for different people in the building (e.g. guests, staff, cleaners, etc.).

In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits of access control and the different types, helping you to choose the best solution for both your new builds and refurbishments.

The purpose of access control

Although every hotel will have different requirements of an access control solution, there are key things that should be considered.

Guest experience

 Creating a seamless guest experience is something every hotel aims towards. Along with a fantastic experience comes raving reviews, repeat customers, and a fully booked hotel.

With access control, customers can move around the hotel with ease while feeling like their safety is prioritised during their stay. It’s smooth and secure.

Complete security

Each card holder can only enter the doors that they’ve been granted access to. Not only does this restrict guests from entering staff only areas, but it also allows for individual staff access. Meaning key cards can be tailored based on job roles and seniority.

On top of this, without a card, the general public cannot gain access to private areas, securing the building from any unwanted visitors.

Emergency Access

Locking certain doors to specific users is a great security benefit, but being able to unlock doors en masse to facilitate an evacuation is also a key purpose of access control.

When deploying an access control system in a hotel, emergency overrides can be added. This means that should an emergency situation arise, all external and internal doors (except guest rooms) can be unlocked, clearing pathways to easily exit the building.

This could make all the difference in a life and death situation, eliminating the need to find and distribute the correct keys.

 The master key

 For cleaners and staff alike, having a key that grants access to all areas of the hotel is crucial in order to do their job. An access control key is much easier to carry than a keychain of keys and requires less effort when moving around the building.

On top of this, they’re safer. If using a physical master key, this key can get into the wrong hands and the only way to stop the key from being used is to change all locks. However, if an access control key were to be lost or stolen, it can be cancelled remotely within seconds, revoking all access and rendering it useless.

More than security

 Although access control is primarily a security solution, it also provides efficient hotel management.

From giving better control over guest access and external access, to making checking in and out easy, access control allows your staff to focus on other work priorities. Taking the stress out of check-ins alone will make the hotel operations run all that much smoother.

Smart aesthetics

Along with all the benefits of access control, these solutions can also enhance the aesthetics a venue, especially for modern hotels. With a variety of looks and designs, products in our range are guaranteed to fit with the style and ambience of your venue.

Lloyd Worrall’s solutions

Whether it’s an access control system for single handle sets or fully-integrated, online, multi-door and multi-user systems, access control technology can dramatically improve your security, plus more.

But which solution is right for you?

Electronic handle sets

 Smart technology combines with attractive design to create high security electronic handles.

These handles can be added to existing standard doors, making it simple and fast to upgrade your current handle sets, without having to replace doors or even in some cases drill new holes.

The wire-free handles are networked through a wireless network for access control in real-time. Compatible with most European, Scandinavian and ANSI mortise locks and tubular latches, these handles are suitable for most doors in hotels, providing high-security with high resistance, hardened anti-drill plates to protect the internals.

Your users just present their access control card to the reader on the handle and the door will unlock.

Click here to read more about our range.

 Wall readers and on-line door controllers

 Wall readers can be used for both doors and access points that may not have handles or the ability to fit door mounted electronic locks, such as lifts, sliding doors, and barriers.

Wall readers can be used with online door controllers to provide the benefits of access control across even more areas of the hotel. Doors can be configured to be read in, exit button out or read in, read out.

Click here to find out more about our wall readers and on-line door controllers.

Door entry

 Before granting a visitor access to the hotel, our door entry solutions allow you to recognise them through video and audio. This significantly boosts the security and safety of staff and guests.

Our door entry solutions can either work standalone or alongside and interfaced with your access control system.

Click here to read more.

Automatic doors

 Automatic doors with access control provides effortless and convenient access to your building. Along with our range of automatic swing and sliding doors, our door automation systems can be seamlessly integrated with our access control products, providing a simple and secure solution for hotel guests entering the lobby.

 Looking into the future with access control in hotels

There has already been a massive increase in the use of access control in the hotel industry. With thousands of hotels already implementing more advanced, flexible security measures, and thousands more currently exploring the possibilities, make sure you have the confidence to choose the right selection for your site.

 Architectural solutions experts you can trust 

At Lloyd Worrall, we pride ourselves on working closely with our customers to ensure they’re receiving a service and product that’s designed to last, performs effectively, and looks great. We also prioritise compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, no matter the project or product. We’re proud members of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, and all our accreditations.

If you work within the hotel sector and you’d like to speak to one of our experts about our access control solutions, contact us on enquiries@lloydworrall.co.uk. 

 

 

 

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