SPG Keyless arrives in the UK

Starwood Hotels and Resorts has expanded its keyless entry system to almost 120 hotels around the world, including London’s W Leicester Square. SPG Keyless, which is only available to Starwood Preferred guest members and allows them to skip the front desk and head directly to their rooms, was launched at ten overseas properties last year. This has now been expanded to 120 Aloft, Element and W hotels. Starwood has also recently launched an app for the new Apple Watch, that similarly allows guests to swipe their wrist across a hotel room lock to open it. The app also displays their booking confirmation, address of the property, room number and SPG account information. Mark Vondrasek, senior vice-president of distribution, loyalty and partnership marketing for Starwood Hotels and Resorts said, “We’re excited to be the first hotel company to let guests check in and open their hotel room door with their Apple Watch via Bluetooth.” He added, “In today’s mobile world, people increasingly expect their technology to help them do whatever they need on the spot. Apple Watch allows us to engage with our guests and give them the information they need instantaneously in a simple yet extremely stylish way.” More than 130,000 SPG members in 130 countries have registered for SPG Keyless so far, which will soon be available across 30,000 doors in 150 Aloft, Element and W hotels around the globe. spg.com/keyless