Hotel Týnec installed a Keyguru electronic box over code locks, saving hundreds of thousands of Czech crowns
During the low season, the number of guests at Hotel Týnec decreases, so the reception closes at 4 p.m. For this reason, the hotel was looking for a solution to accommodate guests outside reception opening hours. It was suggested to install electronic locks on the room doors, but that would have required a large investment running into hundreds of thousands of Czech crowns. In the end, management decided on an automated reception desk with a Keyguru electronic box, which comes at a fraction of the cost compared to code locks. Hotel Týnec welcomes a diverse clientele depending on the season
The hotel, cultural centre and chateau all fall under the operations of Hotel Týnec. In addition, there is a library, information centre and café all under one roof.
In the high season, the hotel is visited by tourists, especially families with children who visit Týnec nad Sázavou. The low season is dominated by corporate clients. The hotel premises are also popular for weddings and teambuilding activities – the building is adjacent to the cultural centre with a hall for 400 people and small breakout rooms/lounges with a capacity of 40 people.
Reception hours shortened in winter season
During the summer, the reception not only provides services to hotel guests, but also to tourists visiting the information centre and the small café with outdoor seating. The receptionists are therefore kept busy on all fronts – accommodating guests, providing information, as well as handling the sale of souvenirs. The reception is open every day until 6.00 p.m., even at weekends.
However, in the low season – from October to February – the receptionists are underutilised. Not so many guests arrive, with many of the 13 rooms vacant at times. Therefore, during the winter months, Hotel Týnec limits the operating hours of the reception. With this comes the complication of late arrivals, with guests having to check in by 4 p.m. at the latest.
Self-service reception for late arrivals
In order to meet the needs of guests even in the low season, Hotel Týnec decided to automate the reception with a Keyguru electronic box. Due to the connection to the booking system Better Hotel it now offers self-service accommodation 24 hours a day.
According to Václav Pošmurný, the hotel’s operating manager, in the winter months, guests check in using the self-service Keyguru electronic box in 60-70% of cases. In the high season, it is used in about 5% of check-ins. “It’s also good for those clients who come repeatedly. It’s interesting for them and they now know how it works.”
With the Keyguru electronic box, Hotel Týnec now offers 24-hour check-in. How could a self-service reception help you?
Each room is assigned one compartment
Hotel Týnec utilises a self-service reception system, where each room is assigned one compartment in the Keyguru electronic box. Guests receive a code for the compartment containing their key upon payment and have access to it for the duration of their stay. They can use it, for example, to store their keys when they go out to explore the town or local area. The key is safely stored in the compartment, so they don’t have to worry about losing it.
This system also allows a high degree of automation of the reception – the key is always stored in the same compartment of the electronic box. Guests are prompted to check-in online when booking their room. After payment, they receive an access code to open the compartment. They can pick up the keys at any time of day or night.
A Keyguru reception is easier and cheaper than code locks
The Keyguru electronic box at Hotel Týnec is not only used for self-service check-in, but also for guests to store their keys during their stay. The same code is also used to open the main door of the hotel.
Why store the keys in an electronic box and not use code locks? That’s exactly what the hotel management had to consider. They eventually chose the Keyguru electronic box due to the high cost of installing code locks. “We came to the conclusion that it is easier and cheaper for us to go for a box system,” explains Pošmourný.
The advantage of the Keyguru electronic box is the monthly payments
For two-thirds of the year, the electronic system is not used as much. The investment to convert the doors to code locks would have cost Hotel Týnec hundreds of thousands of Czech crowns (approx. tens of thousands euros). That’s why the Keyguru electronic box and the automation of the reception desk by connecting the box to the Better Hotel reservation system won out in the end.
The hotel management also appreciates the monthly payments for the operation of the Keyguru electronic box. The installation costs are minimal, with a monthly license fee due for the operation of the box.
“The costs are covered by the fact that there doesn’t have to be a receptionist,” explains Pošmourný. This is especially useful in winter because there is no need to pay a receptionist to wait 5 hours for one guest.
It is much more profitable for the hotel to shorten the operating hours. The Keyguru electronic box handles afternoon, evening and night check-ins.
