Strawberry launches Room key in Apple Wallet

This summer, guests staying at Clarion Hotel Post are able to securely add their room key to Apple Wallet to conveniently access their accommodations with a simple tap of an iPhone or Apple Watch. The hotel is the first of Strawberry's (formerly Nordic Choice Hotels) properties to launch the feature.

The launch of room key in Apple Wallet is a collaboration with ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions and Zaplox, resulting in Strawberry becoming one of the first hotel chains outside North America to enable the feature. Once a room key is added to Apple Wallet, guests can simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near an NFC-enabled lock to seamlessly and securely unlock their room and other key card-protected areas.

- We always strive to deliver outstanding and seamless guest experiences and the launch of room keys in Apple Wallet at Clarion Post Hotel is an important milestone to fulfill that promise. Many of our guests have requested this feature and we’re excited about the security, privacy and convenience that room keys in Wallet provides to guests, and we look forward to continue bringing it to even more customers in the future, says Torgeir Silseth, CEO of Strawberry.

Adding a room key to Apple Wallet is easy. From the Strawberry app, guests can add their room key to Apple Wallet after completing a reservation. Once added, the room key in Apple Wallet will send a notification to let guests know when it’s time for check-in. Once a guest is checked in and the room is ready, room key in Apple Wallet will be activated and can be used immediately. A room key will not activate until the guest is checked into the hotel and a room has been assigned.

After adding a room key to Apple Wallet, guests with Express Mode enabled can simply tap and enter their room — without having to use Face ID, Touch ID, wake or unlock their device or even open an app. If an iPhone needs to be charged, guests can still use the device to unlock their room or common areas for up to five hours with automatic Power Reserve.

ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions have been working with Strawberry delivering mobile key solutions since 2010, now enabling the latest mobile wallet solutions across the portfolio. In December 2022, Strawberry added Zaplox as strategic partner as well, managing the mobile key lifecycle across the portfolio. The solution is already live at more than 55 hotels.

If a guest needs to change rooms, extend a stay or late checkout, the hotel can update the guest’s room key in Apple Wallet remotely. When it’s time to check out, guests can simply do so through the Strawberry app. The guest’s room key in Apple Wallet will then be remotely deactivated and archived in Apple Wallet.

Room keys in Apple Wallet are stored on the device and take full advantage of the privacy and security built into iPhone and Apple Watch. When or where a guest uses a room key in Apple Wallet is never shared with Apple or stored on Apple servers. If an iPhone or Apple Watch is misplaced, the guest can promptly use the Find My app to lock the device and help locate it.