The Room Key Is Dead !

The good old fashioned room key is on the way out replaced by new super technology.

In New York the newly renovated Plaza Hotel will feature radio frequency cards that will open the door when swiped past the lock at close range. Paper cards,cellphones,finger print and iris scans are the new 'Matrix' of getting into your hoetl room.

And what's driving the change ? -cost of course. The standard magnetic cards cost about 10 cents each and while good for about 20 uses most guests take them with them and throw them away. Alternatives include paper cards like you use at the parking station, and Radio Frequency such as being used at the Plaza or a special code placed into your cell phone at reception.

Meanwhile the SoHo Loft Hotel in New York is the first hotel to begin trialing finger print scans on their locks. Feedback from guests has been positive with guests saying they love the technology because they dont have to worry about keys. Welcome to the New World !