Skip check-in with keyless smartphone entry

New York: Joining the worldwide shift towards smart hotel technology, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc - that owns over 1,200 properties across the world - launched the smartphone-based keyless entry for its guests to access rooms and other services.

Starting Nov 5, the innovative technology will introduced at three Starwood brands: Aloft, Element and W.

All you need to do is to sign up through the hotel`s free SPG (Starwood Preferred Guest) app.

As you enter the hotel, you will have the option to use SPG Keyless to access the room, MarketWatch reported.

Just hold the smartphone up to the Bluetooth panel on the door and wait for the green light.

Upon arrival at the hotel, the guest can completely bypass the front desk and go directly to his/her room.

The app also allows guests to view the details of their stay and receive push notifications on the status of their room, such as information on upgrades.

The app technology also has practical applications including access to elevators or the gym.

The keyless entry works on Bluetooth-enabled iPhones and Android smartphones.

Starwood will rapidly expand rollout in the first half of 2015 and, by the end of next year, SPG Keyless will be available in 150 hotels across the globe.