Door locks are evolving beyond stand-alone security devices into connected, cloud-managed components that interact with an entire hotel ecosystem.
The latest and most significant technological developments in locks/access control and safes for hotels are centered around simultaneously enhancing security, accessibility, integration options and sustainability.
This approach allows for the adoption of new features such as digital wallet-enabled mobile keys that allow guests to access rooms without needing to download an app, said George Winker, vice president of sales, North America, Vingcard.
“Modular door lock hardware has also become a popular option that allows hoteliers to customize and upgrade their locks according to the functionalities they desire, without the need for a costly overhaul of existing infrastructure,” Winker said.
According to Winker, safes are following a similar trajectory. Modern models feature cloud-connected monitoring and audit trail reporting, allowing hoteliers to view usage data remotely, ensure guest valuables remain protected and quickly reset units when rooms turn over. Both categories also reflect growing attention to energy efficiency and minimalism, with sleeker designs and low-power electronics reducing maintenance and waste.
Winker noted that upgrading security technology delivers significant advantages in boosting operational efficiency and business reputations. The newest lock solutions support compatibility with the latest credential encryption standards. To provide maximum protection against potential credential data theft, NXP’s MIFARE Ultralight AES is currently the industry’s most recommended encryption standard. This standard leverages ISO/IEC 14443–compliant encryption and holds certifications ensuring that guest keycards and fobs cannot be cloned or tampered with.
“New door lock solutions supported by a centralized cloud-based access management system also allows staff to issue, revoke or monitor credentials in real time from virtually any location,” Winker said. “This simplifies property-wide oversight, ensures a swift response to potential threats and lowers maintenance costs.”
Integration also translates into improved cross-departmental communication and efficiency. Modern locks can communicate with PMS, energy management and guestroom control platforms to automatically adjust temperature or lighting upon room entry or to confirm occupancy for housekeeping tasks. Meanwhile, digital audit trails generated by both locks and safes strengthen compliance and loss-prevention capabilities.
“The future is increasingly becoming centered on predictive, connected and design-conscious solutions,” Winker said. “Access systems are becoming essential nodes within a hotel’s digital network with abilities to interpret and relay context such as a guest’s real-time actions and preferences. The industry will increasingly see the adoption of AI-assisted analytics that detect anomalies and forecast maintenance needs before issues arise.”
Time for a New Approach
Darien Long, senior vice president, specialty access control solutions, including hospitality, vacation rental and workforce solutions, dormakaba North America, said that hotels have long operated with a mindset that mechanical hardware could live on a door for decades. However, as the industry moves to a digital environment and security cycles shorten, a new approach is necessary.
“We’re seeing forward-thinking hotels lead the shift toward an integrated, proactive model that treats locks and safes more like other connected electronics in our lives, all of which require ongoing updates to stay secure and ready for the future,” Long said.
Reflecting this shift, dormakaba offers cloud-connected access management software designed to simplify and streamline hotel operations. According to Long, this type of solution gives hoteliers full control over guest and staff access, room locks, perimeter security and more, with seamless integration that connects directly to the PMS.
A major development for guests is digital wallet room keys. These keys use the same technology behind “tap to” that guests already use to pay, scan tickets and boarding passes.
The wallet-based key experience is fast, private and familiar, Long noted, and helps meet guests’ increasing expectations for seamless, mobile-first convenience that mirrors how they use their phones every day.
Moving forward, Long said hoteliers can expect to see more cloud-based management tools that enable remote diagnostics and automatic software updates.
“Properties will rely on flexible, integrated systems that allow for simple upgrades as security and guest expectations evolve,” she said. “Connectivity will extend across every access point—from guestroom locks to in-room safes to perimeter doors—ensuring the entire property stays protected and easy to manage.”
Long added that with the rise in AI, hoteliers should prepare for more frequent updates over the lifetime of their assets to respond to any potential risk that may arise.
“You can expect lock vendors to put additional focus on helping hotels be more agile in digesting these changes without large overhead or disrupting daily operators,” she said. “To maximize these benefits, hotels should consider making all locks online so that software updates can be made automatically.”
Enhancing Security and Efficiency
Recent advancements in hotel lock technology include enhanced encryption, advanced security measures, guest insights and mobile phone accessibility, said Craig Henricksen, director of offering management, Onity. This includes innovative methods for delivering and sharing digital keys through platforms such as digital wallets.
“As access control products evolve, the importance of cybersecurity has increased,” Henricksen said. “New encryption methods, like Mifare ULC/AES, and new security technologies are making it more difficult for hackers to breach systems, leading building operators to replace outdated locking systems with more secure models that utilize sophisticated encryption algorithms.”
According to Henricksen, upgrading locks can significantly enhance security and operational efficiency for hoteliers while also preparing them for future technological advancements. Modern locks are outfitted with Bluetooth connectivity, which enables compatibility with emerging digital key solutions. These newer locks can also integrate directly with other smart devices within guestrooms and throughout the hotel, which can help boost energy efficiency, streamline staff scheduling and provide greater control and flexibility.
Henricksen noted that as the trend toward mobile keys continues to grow, it reflects not only a shift towards convenience but also an evolving culture that emphasizes efficiency and cost reduction.
“Hotel guests today expect a safe, seamless and friction-free experience,” Henricksen said. “Connected solutions, such as mobile check-in and keyless room access, meet these expectations while streamlining common pain points like long front desk wait times and misplaced keys. In-room features, such as electronic safes, energy management systems and lighting controls, further modernize and enhance convenience, allowing guests to enjoy a more personalized experience.”
Henricksen predicted that the future of hotel security lies in a fully connected ecosystem where locks, safes, comfort (EMS, lighting controls, air quality) and other access controls are part of an integrated, cloud-based platform. Not only does this help enable greater visibility for hotel operators, it also offers actionable insights to better anticipate guest needs, optimize staffing and improve overall security, he said.
The Foundation of the Industry
According to Erik Soto, COO, EntryReady, in 2024 hotels focused on connected locks—systems that linked with mobile apps and PMS platforms. In 2025 and 2026 the conversation is moving beyond connectivity to integration where hardware, wallet credentials and software operate as one cohesive ecosystem.
“As hotels modernize, integration isn't just innovation—it's the foundation for how the industry will operate going forward,” Soto said.
EntryReady offers a vertically integrated stack: hardware, firmware, wallet credentials and cloud management all built together from the ground up. According to Soto, this means faster deployments, lower infrastructure costs and fewer points of failure—allowing hotels to manage access from anywhere and deliver a unified experience for guests, staff and operators alike.
It’s also more powerful and cost-efficient than traditional multi-vendor setups, Soto said.
According to Soto, every EntryReady lock now ships wallet-ready with Apple Wallet, Google Wallet (and soon Samsung Wallet) capabilities built in. Even properties that start with RFID credentials can enable digital wallets at any time—instantly activating mobile access without hardware changes or downtime.
“We designed our platform to evolve with each property,” Soto said. “Some hotels want to start with RFID cards, others are ready to go fully digital. Either way, every lock we ship is future-ready. We never want a customer to feel like their technology will need to be replaced just to stay relevant.”
He added that properties can operate 100 percent cloud-native for maximum scalability or choose a hybrid configuration that retains local control for resilience during internet outages or regional restrictions. Both options provide the same security posture, real-time analytics and automatic software updates. This flexibility allows each operator to balance IT policies, connectivity and corporate standards without sacrificing functionality.
“We've proven that you can deliver premium-grade security and intelligence at a mid-market price,” Soto said. “Integration is what makes that possible—it simplifies everything.”
“The hospitality industry has reached a turning point,” he added. “Connectivity is no longer enough; hotels need unified systems that work as one. When the hardware, software and digital credentials are designed together, everything just works—for every guest, every staff member and every property.”
This article was originally published in the November/December edition of Hotel Management magazine. Subscribe here.