The global hospitality sector is rapidly embracing digital innovation to meet evolving guest expectations, and Mews, a cloud-based hospitality management platform, is at the forefront of this transformation. The company has announced a powerful integration with Salto Systems, a leader in next-generation smart lock solutions, enabling contactless and mobile room access for hotel guests across the globe. This latest enhancement to the Mews Hospitality Cloud represents a milestone in the hospitality industry’s push toward streamlined, tech-forward operations.
Pioneering Seamless, Contactless Hotel Experiences
As travelers continue to seek out seamless and secure experiences, the demand for contactless hotel services has surged. From digital check-ins to keyless room access, guests now expect minimal friction and maximum efficiency during their stay. Mews has responded to this shift by expanding its Digital Key capabilities through a strategic integration with Salto’s smart locking system.
Guests can now complete check-in entirely via their mobile devices, skip the front desk, and unlock their room doors using their smartphones. This functionality not only reduces physical touchpoints but also aligns with the post-pandemic preferences for social distancing and convenience.
How the Mews–Salto Integration Works
The integration leverages Salto’s innovative smart locks, which are known for their advanced security features and ease of installation, with the cloud-based infrastructure of Mews. Together, the systems allow for seamless guest access without the need for physical keycards or traditional reception processes.
Hotel staff can remotely manage guest access, monitor room entry activity, and ensure higher security standards—all within the Mews platform. For guests, the experience is simple: after booking, they receive their digital key directly on their smartphone, enabling direct-to-room access upon arrival.
A Boost to Hotel Operations and Guest Satisfaction
Matt Welle, CEO of Mews, emphasized the impact of this advancement on hotel operations and guest satisfaction. “Every step of the guest journey should be effortless. With Salto’s integration, we’re reducing check-in friction and improving the overall guest experience while optimizing hotel workflows.”
By minimizing manual processes, hotels can redeploy staff resources toward personalized service and guest engagement. This is particularly crucial in an era where labor shortages and cost-efficiency are key operational concerns.
Case Study: YUST Hotel in Belgium Leads by Example
A practical example of the Mews–Salto integration in action can be seen at the YUST Hotel in Antwerp, Belgium. Known for its hybrid hospitality model that caters to both short- and long-term guests, YUST implemented the digital key solution without major marketing campaigns.
Within the first month, 12% of guests opted to check in digitally, and among those who received a digital key, an impressive 64% used it to access their rooms. This reflects growing acceptance and satisfaction with mobile-first hotel services.
Dirk Van Gompel, CTO at YUST, noted that the smart access system has enhanced efficiency across the property. “The technology allows our team to shift focus from transactional tasks to creating genuine connections with guests,” he explained, aligning with the hotel’s emphasis on community and human interaction.
A Sustainable Alternative to Plastic Keycards
Beyond convenience, the transition to digital keys supports sustainability goals. Traditional hotel keycards, typically made from PVC plastic, are disposable and contribute to environmental waste. With Mews and Salto offering fully digital room access, hotels can eliminate this source of single-use plastic altogether.
This move supports broader environmental efforts within the travel and tourism industry, particularly as more brands align with global sustainability targets like those outlined by the UNWTO and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.
Enhancing Security and Personalization
Another key benefit of the integration is the enhanced security it brings to properties. Digital keys offer time-bound, room-specific access that can be revoked instantly, reducing the risks associated with lost or stolen physical keycards. The platform also gives hotels real-time access logs for each guest room, bolstering guest safety.
Moreover, Mews enables hoteliers to personalize the guest journey, integrating digital key delivery with upselling features, custom room preferences, and loyalty recognition. This creates a tailored, tech-rich experience that elevates the standard of hospitality.
Looking Ahead: The Smart Future of Hotels
The Mews–Salto partnership is part of a broader trend reshaping the future of hospitality through intelligent automation and guest-centric technology. As hotels compete to offer memorable and efficient experiences, integrations like this are proving essential.
According to Salto Systems Business Lead Nora Urquiza, user-centric design is a cornerstone of the company’s philosophy. “Technology should be so intuitive that guests enjoy using it,” she said. “This integration with Mews helps hotels deliver exactly that.”
Looking forward, Mews plans to expand its capabilities further, including features like multicurrency support for European guests and enhanced digital upsell tools. Together with Salto, the company is setting a new standard for operational excellence and guest satisfaction in the digital age.
Conclusion: A Turning Point in Hospitality Innovation
With the integration of Salto’s smart access technology, Mews is ushering in a new era of contactless, secure, and sustainable hotel stays. Hotels adopting this solution can expect enhanced guest satisfaction, improved staff efficiency, and a reduced environmental footprint. As digital transformation accelerates across the travel sector, smart access solutions like these are no longer a luxury—they’re the new industry standard.
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