Guests expect convenience and efficiency when they stay at your hotel – and the check-in process is no exception. A 2025 survey found that more than half of travelers (53%) specifically want contactless check-in and check-out to remain a permanent feature at hotels,1 and 80% would choose to stay at a property that offers a completely automated front desk or self-service kiosk.2
Contactless check-in gives your guests control over their arrival experience, cuts down wait times, and reduces face-to-face interactions. But it’s not just about comfort; implementing hotel contactless check-in can also help you streamline operations and position your property as a forward-thinking brand.
Read on to learn everything hospitality leaders need to know about contactless check-in hotel solutions and what they can do for your business.
What Is Contactless Hotel Check-In?
Contactless hotel check-in lets your guests complete their arrival without ever visiting the front desk. With just their smartphones or another digital device, guests can:
- Confirm their reservation details
- Upload identification
- Make secure payments
- Get room access instructions or digital keys
This process eliminates the need for paperwork, in-person transactions, or shared touchpoints, making check-in faster, safer, and more convenient for everyone.
Why Contactless Hotel Check-In Is More Than a Trend
Contactless check-in hotel solutions became popular during the pandemic as a way to cut down on face-to-face engagement. However, consumers have gotten used to doing everything digitally – from grabbing flights to ordering dinner – and they’re bringing those same expectations to your hotel.
Embracing contactless check-in sends a clear message to potential guests that your hotel:
- Cares about their comfort and safety
- Keeps up with technology trends
- Prioritizes a digital-first experience
This perception is essential among younger guests and tech-savvy travelers. A recent report revealed that 24% of millennials and 20% of Gen Z travelers used an alternative payment method, such as a digital card, when booking their latest trip.3 Modern travelers are looking for digital convenience, and offering hotel contactless check-in could be the difference between attracting guests and losing them to competitors with cutting-edge technology.
Benefits of Contactless Check-In Hotel Technology
Contactless check-in hotel technology delivers real benefits for both your guests and your team, including:
Faster, Smoother Guest Experience
Nobody wants to wait in line after a long day of travel. With contactless hotel check-in, guests can bypass your front desk entirely and go straight to their room. The result is a faster and more streamlined arrival that sets a positive tone for the entire stay.
Improved Guest Satisfaction
Contactless check-in isn’t just about speed – it also gives guests freedom and control. They want to check in on their own time, especially during late-night arrivals or busy check-in periods. This flexibility can lead to higher satisfaction scores, glowing reviews, and stronger guest loyalty.
Reduced Front Desk Workload
Front desk staff know the stress of peak check-in times all too well. Contactless check-in options take the pressure off by handling routine arrivals digitally, giving your team time to focus on creating memorable experiences and solving problems that really need a human touch.
Increased Operational Efficiency
Contactless check-in can improve internal operations by automating tedious tasks like ID verification, payment processing, and room assignments. This helps reduce human error, speeds up workflows, and helps your teams operate more efficiently.
Greater Health and Safety
Even though health restrictions have eased up, many travelers still appreciate having options that limit close contact. A contactless check-in hotel process lets everyone keep comfortable distances, creating a safer space that puts both guests and staff at ease.
6 Best Practices for Implementing Contactless Check-In Hotel Solutions
Ready to make contactless check-in work for your hospitality business? Here are some best practices to help simplify and streamline the implementation process:
1. Make It Mobile-Friendly
Most guests will use their smartphones to check in, so your system must be mobile-optimized. That includes clear instructions, fast loading times, and compatibility with common operating systems.
Avoid clunky processes that require multiple steps or downloads. Ideally, your guests should be able to complete check-in with just a few taps.
2. Offer Digital Key Options
For the full contactless experience, consider implementing digital key access. Once a guest completes check-in, they receive a digital key on their phone that lets them unlock their room – no plastic key cards required.
This aligns with modern guest preferences by adding convenience and eliminating another shared touchpoint, which could be why an estimated 70% of hotels worldwide are expected to leverage digital key solutions this year.4
3. Integrate With Your PMS
For truly seamless experiences, your contactless check-in hotel system should integrate with your property management system (PMS). When these tools work together, important details like room availability, guest information, and payment status update instantly across all systems.
4. Provide Support When Needed
Not every guest will be comfortable with technology, and that’s okay. Make sure your front desk team is ready to assist guests who prefer traditional check-in or need help navigating the digital process.
5. Communicate Early and Often
Guests should know what to expect before they arrive. Be upfront about offering a contactless check-in option during booking, in confirmation emails, and on your website.
Explain how it works, what they’ll need, and the benefits it offers. When you communicate with clarity and enthusiasm, guests are more likely to give it a try and enjoy it.
6. Measure Its Impact
Once you implement hotel contactless check-in, pay close attention to how it’s performing. Keep an eye on helpful indicators like:
- How many guests are using the feature
- How quickly guests can complete the process
- How much time your front desk team is saving
- What guests are saying in their feedback
These insights can help you fine-tune the experience and identify opportunities for even more automation or personalization.
What To Look for in a Hotel Contactless Check-In Solution
The right contactless check-in solution should match your hotel’s personality and needs. Here’s what to look for in a platform:
- Intuitive Interfaces: Choose a solution with a user-friendly interface that’s easy for guests and staff alike to understand.
- Advanced Security: Your solution should protect sensitive guest data with built-in security features and full compliance with data regulations.
- Seamless Compatibility: The best systems play nicely with your existing PMS and other important tools without causing technical headaches.
- Brand Personality: Look for options that can be customized to reflect your hotel’s unique style and charm.
- Peak Performance: Choose a check-in solution that can handle high volumes during your busiest check-in periods.
- Helpful Analytics: Look for systems that provide insightful data about usage patterns and guest preferences.
- Friendly Support Team: Select a provider that offers real human help when you need it most.
- Future-Ready Features: Your solution should be able to grow alongside your property and regularly add new capabilities as technology evolves.
Turn Check-In Into a Competitive Advantage With Phonesuite
Contactless check-in has become an essential part of the modern hotel experience. Properties that embrace this technology aren’t just keeping up with industry changes; they’re actively building a foundation for long-term success in a digital-first world.
At Phonesuite, we help hospitality businesses embrace smart technology with our suite of innovative communication solutions designed specifically for hotels. Our cloud-based and on-premises phone systems support modern features like contactless hotel check-in, so your teams have everything they need to provide 5-star guest experiences.
Want to make your hotel’s arrival experience faster, safer, and more guest-friendly? Reach out to Phonesuite today to learn more about how we can help you integrate contactless check-in and elevate your guest experiences.
Sources:
- oracle.com/a/ocom/docs/industries/hospitality/hospitality-industry-trends-for-2025.pdf
- https://www.mews.com/en/press/the-latest-us-hospitality-survey-unveils-future-travel-trends
- https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/gen-z-and-millennials-are-driving-a-new-era-in-travel-payments-choosing-contactless-digital-first-and-flexible-payment-options-that-make-travel-more-accessible-and-hassle-free
- https://www.bdcnetwork.com/home/news/55166101/the-rise-of-mobile-keys-in-hospitality
