Guest Mobile App with Digital Room Key for a Boutique Hotel Group

Overview

Built an iOS and Android guest app for a boutique hotel group that lets guests check in remotely, unlock their room with a digital key, and message the front desk directly from their phone. The app integrates with the group's existing smart-lock hardware and property management system so digital keys activate automatically the moment a reservation is confirmed for arrival. This gave tech-forward guests the contactless, self-service experience they increasingly expect from boutique properties, while still keeping a traditional front-desk option available for guests who prefer it. In-app messaging routes requests to the correct department automatically based on keywords, rather than everything landing in one general inbox. A boutique hotel group's tech-forward guests increasingly expected a contactless, self-service experience, but check-in and room access still required a traditional front-desk interaction for everyone. We built an iOS and Android app letting guests check in remotely and unlock their room with a digital key, integrated with the group's existing smart-lock hardware and PMS so keys activate automatically on confirmed arrival, while keeping a traditional front-desk option available. We worked closely with the group's smart-lock vendor to confirm reliable key activation timing before building the guest-facing app around it. The app launched at one property first to validate the full remote check-in flow before expanding across the group. Average front-desk check-in wait time during peak arrival hours dropped by an estimated 40% for guests who used the app's remote check-in option, delivering the contactless experience tech-forward guests increasingly expect.