Hilton hotels to let you use your smartphone as your hotel key from next year

Queuing up at a hotel check-in desk is often the last thing you want to do after a long flight. Starting next year, you’ll be able to bypass the front desk altogether in Hilton hotels, your smartphone serving as as your hotel room key.

We’ve seen the same thing in smaller hotel groups, but Hilton’s adoption of the technology moves it very much into the mainstream. The group told the WSJ that it will begin introducing the new door locks next year, and expects to complete the global roll-out by the end of 2016.

The Hilton app already allows you to pre-order amenities, but currently you still need to collect your room key from the front desk – which kind of defeats the object. With the new system, smartphone check-in will send a key code to your phone which can then be used to unlock your door.

Bluetooth-controlled door locks for home are also expected to be a big thing this year, with products on the way from Okidokeys and August.