Regal Hotels International Adding Mobile Key by OpenWays to New Construction Hotel in Hong Kong (China)
In partnership with DOCOMO interTouch, the iclub by Regal Sheung Wan Hotel, scheduled to open first quarter 2014,
will become the first hotel in Hong Kong to offer the 'iclub Mobile Key Check-in' service
Regal Hotels International Adding Mobile Key by OpenWays to New Construction Hotel in Hong Kong (China)
In partnership with DOCOMO interTouch, the iclub by Regal Sheung Wan Hotel, scheduled to open first quarter 2014,
will become the first hotel in Hong Kong to offer the 'iclub Mobile Key Check-in' service
Soon guests staying at the iclub by Regal Sheung Wan Hotel in Hong Kong will be unlocking their room doors via their personal smartphones and standard mobile devices. When the new select-service hotel from Regal Hotels International opens its doors in early 2014, all guestrooms will be equipped with Kaba Saflok RT™ RFID locks with Mobile Key by OpenWays built in. Regal’s "iclub Mobile Key Check-in" powered by the Mobile Key by OpenWays is the first direct-to-room front desk bypass service to be offered in Hong Kong and distributed by DOCOMO InterTouch, OpenWays strategic reseller partner in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mobile Key by OpenWays streamlines the hotel arrival process by using the principle of Crypto Acoustic Credential (CAC™) and text messaging (SMS). Once guests sign up for Regal’s iclub Mobile Key Check-in, they will receive details of their room number by SMS text message or on the Regal branded Mobile Key by OpenWays smartphone app. Upon arriving at the hotel, guests can bypass the reception desk and go straight to their room to unlock the door. Any of the 6.5 billion cell phones in the world (any network/any carrier) are compatible with Mobile Key by OpenWays.
“We understand that busy business travelers are looking for travel convenience and dislike queuing up for check-in," said Belinda Yeung, Regal Hotels International executive director and chief operating officer. "We are proud to be the first hotel in Hong Kong offering such service, providing our guests with the convenience and innovative service.”
Mobile Key by OpenWays is a true service differentiator for travelers. It gives them the freedom of choice they are demanding in their hotel experiences. Enabling guests to use their personal mobile devices as secure mobile room keys gives them the option to avoid lines at check in waiting for plastic keycards. With Regal’s iclub Mobile Key Check-in app residing on the hotel guest’s mobile device, it also drives the brand’s hospitality mobile strategy. Mobile Key by OpenWays also provides significant operations benefits. Fewer guest transactions at the front desk means lower transaction costs and the ability to streamline staff to other areas of the hotel where guest-facing services are needed most. It also reduces costs associated with purchasing plastic keycards. The Mobile Key by OpenWays solution is delivering heightened customer satisfaction, guest loyalty and brand recognition at deployed properties around the world.
iclub Mobile Key Check-in will also aid the hotel's marketing efforts. Equipped with the traveler's mobile phone number, the iclub by Regal brand will quickly build a strong, qualified mobile database for personalized one-on-one marketing. Mobile marketing efforts will lead to more direct bookings with higher margins.
Delivering 'Freedom' Upon Arrival
DOCOMO interTouch is providing “FREEDOM Check In powered by OpenWays” hosting services and support to its hospitality customers in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Latin America regions. This partnership is enabling DOCOMO to offer the most comprehensive WiFi-enabled solutions to the hospitality industry.
"We are delighted to bring DOCOMO's FREEDOM Check In powered by OpenWays solution to Regal Hotels International," said Charles Reed, DOCOMO interTouch CEO. "Renamed iclub Mobile Key Check-in for the iclub by Regal brand, this service will soon give travelers an innovative alternative to traditional hotel check in processes. This self-service option is straight forward, easy to use, and has a positive impact on the environment. Because the iclub Mobile Key is made only of data, it is the greenest form of room access on the planet."
Following roll-out of iclub Mobile Key Check-in at the iclub by Regal Sheung Wan Hotel, the service will be extended to the iclub by Regal Tin Hau Hotel, scheduled to open in mid 2014, and the iclub by Regal Soho Hotel, scheduled to open in 2015.
"We are delighted that global adoption of Mobile Key by OpenWays is spreading around the world and going live in Hong Kong," said Pascal Metivier, founder and CEO of OpenWays. "It is through our valued partners such as DOCOMO interTouch that we are able to bring our innovative line-busting solution to hotels in order completely remove the frustration associated with traditional hotel check-in. Giving travelers freedom-of-choice has never been more important than it is today. Through iclub Mobile Key Check-in, guests loyal to the Regal Hotels brand will experience personalized service like never before."
About Regal Hotels International:
Regal Hotels International (00078) is a member of the Century City Group (00355) which is a conglomerate publicly listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Regal Hotels International is one of the largest hotel operators in Hong Kong and manages a fine collection of hotels.
About DOCOMO InterTouch
DOCOMO InterTouch provides a full suite of integrated solutions to the global hospitality industry. We are one of the world’s largest hotel technology service providers, delivering reliable and secure wired and wireless broadband connectivity services, multi-media services, and interactive television and managed network solutions. Our one-stop-shop solution, round-the-clock network monitoring and multi-lingual customer support enable hotels to offer a superior guest experience, facilitating communications for today’s business travellers.
Since 1998, DOCOMO interTouch has been serving the hospitality industry, managing more than eight million broadband connections each year in guest rooms, meeting rooms and business centres worldwide. Our innovative technologies provide travellers and conference attendees with convenient access to enjoy communication, information and entertainment services in over 70 countries.
About OpenWays
OpenWays is a global solutions provider of mobile-based access-management and security solutions. With offices in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seoul and in Europe, OpenWays provides technology solutions allowing for the secure issuance and delivery of access rights and keys processed via any cell phone operating on any network. The OpenWays solution is truly unique as it is built on the concept of credential dematerialization. The OpenWays mobile room key solution works on ALL the 6.5 billion cell phones in service in the world today.
