OpenKey, the industry standard for universal mobile key access for the hospitality industry, today announced an exclusive partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand.

Through this partnership, properties represented within the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio (www.preferredhotels.com) will have access to OpenKey’s (www.openkey.co) robust technology solution that is changing the way hoteliers engage with their guests.

“We are thrilled to introduce OpenKey as the first and only mobile key provider within the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Alliance Partner program,” said Michael Osgood, Vice President of Alliance Partnerships for Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “This partnership allows us to present our member hotels with an innovative new way to implement digital keys at their properties and satisfy growing consumer interest in this amenity.”

The OpenKey app, available for free on both iOS and Android operating systems, enables hotel owners to control guest room access remotely and allows guests the ability to use their smartphone for mobile entry to their room. The app also provides important information such as their room number, check-in and out dates and a convenient satisfaction survey following their stay.

For hotel owners, the OpenKey Front Desk app allows staff to easily manage the guest experience. The app, based off of flexible software, works with any PMS system, decreases group check-in time, features an easy-to-use interface, provides on-site training and 24/7 support, as well as detailed reports.

“Our universal mobile key works with any digital hotel lock, providing both hotel owners and managers with maximum flexibility and guests with a simple mobile key experience,” said TJ Person, CEO of OpenKey. “The OpenKey app improves guests’ experience by making it easier to enjoy their hotel stay. It helps guests to worry less while traveling because they don’t have to keep up with a key, hotel directions, phone numbers, changes in reservation and more.”

Hotel guests experience a simple, fast and intuitive app on their end. Users can skip the front desk and go straight to their room, receive stay information 24 hours prior to arrival, get a text notification when their room is ready, and use their smartphone as their room key. It also enables guests to enjoy the convenience of calling or chatting with the front desk, confirming their identity with an ID capture for security and sending their estimated time-of-arrival to the hotel.

OpenKey’s open platform solution is integrated with the largest lock manufacturers for all types of mobile-optimized guest room electronic locks (Bluetooth-based locks). This gives each participating hotel the freedom to determine the best locks for their OpenKey entry program. Additionally, hotels who use the company’s technology are able to increase revenue through eliminating the cost of expensive RFID key cards while improving guest satisfaction and increasing customer loyalty. Hotels also benefit from improved administrative efficiency while providing a modern and simple hotel experience for guests.