A smart lock turns check-in into a contactless arrival. We compare the three most-used systems and how they fit with online check-in.
Why a smart lock changes check-in
At an accommodation with no permanent front desk, key handover is the bottleneck: it forces you to coordinate schedules, wait for the guest, or rely on insecure key boxes.
A smart lock removes that problem. The guest opens the door with a code or from their phone, and the host does not need to be there.
How a virtual key works
A virtual key is a temporary access —a numeric code or an app permission— valid only for the dates of the stay. When the booking ends, it stops working automatically.
That gives full control: each guest has their own access, with a start and an expiry date, and no physical key ever circulates to be copied or lost.
Nuki, TTLock and Igloohome: how they differ
- ✓Nuki is very popular in Europe because it fits over the existing cylinder, with no need to change the lock, and for its polished app.
- ✓TTLock stands out for a very broad ecosystem of compatible locks and a tight price-to-value ratio.
- ✓Igloohome works with PIN codes that can be generated offline — useful when the accommodation has no reliable wifi.
The key: it is only released after a valid check-in
The lock on its own guarantees nothing legally. What is powerful is connecting it to check-in: the virtual key is released only once the guest has completed registration and signed.
That way compliance and access go together: no one enters without having gone through the traveller report.
How it integrates with BookCheckin
BookCheckin integrates with Nuki, TTLock and Igloohome. When the guest finishes online check-in, the system generates and sends the virtual key automatically.
Smart-lock integration is available on the Business plan and works the same for one property or a whole portfolio.