Aloft to Expand Automatic Check-In Program

After a successful test period, Aloft Hotels will roll out its automatic check-in at five more hotels worldwide.

Aloft's Smart Check-In will let guests zoom to their rooms at Aloft Harlem, Aloft Brooklyn, Aloft Dallas Downtown, Aloft Jacksonville Tapestry Park, and Aloft London by the end of 2011. Smart Check-In made its debut at Aloft Lexington (MA) last year.

Running on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, Smart Check-In caters to a new generation of guests on the go who are more interested in high-tech than high-touch service.

How does Smart Check-In work?

Select Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members who opt to participate receive a new enhanced SPG / Aloft-branded RFID keycard. On the day of a planned stay, a text message is sent to the guest's mobile device with their room number. Once at the hotel, guests can skip the check-in line and go straight to their room, where their keycard should unlock the door - giving guests control of their check-in experience in the palms of their hands.

"Aloft guests never settle for a traditional hotel experience, and they've embraced the Smart Check-In revolution with tremendous enthusiasm," said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. "For our associates, freedom from traditional check-in procedures means they can spend more time engaging with guests and enhancing the social atmosphere that's made Aloft such a huge hit."

The SPG / Aloft-branded RFID keycard may eventually act as an all-access pass throughout the Aloft stay, allowing guests to purchase cocktails and bites at the hotel's buzzing w xyz bar, sundries at the re:stock retail kiosk and snacks at re:fuel by aloft, the Aloft brand's deli-style, grab-and-go pantry.

The pilot program partner is VingCard Elsafe, a cutting-edge security technology leader for the hospitality industry.

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