In recent times, the majority of hotels have transitioned to using RFID access cards for room entry. It is considered to be more secure than conventional keys due to the difficulty in duplicating these cards by unauthorized individuals.
Beyond unlocking hotel room doors, these cards typically serve as a key to various amenities within the hotel, such as elevators, gyms, swimming pools, and more, making them quite convenient for guests.
For those unfamiliar with this technology, using an access card may initially seem confusing. In this article, I will provide a step-by-step guide on how to unlock and secure hotel room doors using these cards.
Upon completing the check-in process, guests receive an access card, which they can use to enter their assigned room. Here are the steps to unlock the door:
Firstly, find the card sensor or card reader, which is usually located near the door handle. More often than not, you’ll find the sensor located below the handle.
However, depending on the door design, some sensors can also be found above or even on the side of the door handle.
To locate them, many sensors are equipped with a small, glowing light, typically red or blue. This light acts as a visual cue, so it'll be easier for guests to spot the sensor.
However, not all sensors come with such light indicators. In cases where the sensor lacks a light, you need to look closer to the door handle area to identify its location.
Once the sensor is located, place the access card against it. There is no need to press, insert, or slide the card as you might with older magnetic cards.
Hold the card in place for a few moments until a confirmation light or beep sound indicates the door is unlocked. If the card isn’t readable by the sensor, a series of beeps will sound, and guests should contact hotel staff for assistance.
After receiving the confirmation, open the door and enter the room. Some hotel doors may be heavy, requiring a bit of effort to open. Upon entering, ensure the door is closed securely, as it will automatically lock. So, you can prevent anyone entering from the outside.
Many hotels feature a sensor switch near the door where guests place their access card to activate the room’s electricity. If the room lacks a switch sensor, don't worry. The electricity is usually available without using the card.
As previously noted, hotel room doors equipped with access cards will automatically lock once closed. This feature prevents individuals outside from entering without a card, while those inside can exit easily.
However, to further enhance the security of your room, you can try these steps to lock the door safely from the inside.
Every hotel room door, despite having an automatic lock, is also fitted with a manual rotary lock located beneath the door handle.
Turn the lock to activate an additional layer of security. Once engaged, this lock prevents the door from being opened from the outside, even if someone possesses the access card designated for that room.
Hotel doors have a supplementary securing mechanism in the form of a chain or metal latch. It's actually easy to use the latch—simply fasten the end of the chain or secure the metal hook to the door.
Once latched, the door can only be opened slightly, with the latch preventing a full access. This feature is particularly valuable in blocking any unwarranted or forced entry.
To make it safer, we can also use hangers and towels to prop up the metal hooks and door handles. Please refer to the following article for a tutorial on how to wedge them:
Utilizing the peephole is a crucial safety measure. Whenever there's a knock at the door, ensure you first glimpse through the peephole before opening.
Refrain from opening the door without verifying the visitor’s identity. If the person is unfamiliar, it's advisable to ask about their identity before opening the door or report the occurrence to the hotel concierge for assistance.
Remember, these measures complement the use of access cards for securing your hotel room door. Always carry your access card when leaving the room; without it, re-entry will be impossible once the door closes.
In addition to securing your room, access cards often operate the hotel elevators. For guidance on using them in elevators, please refer to the following article for a detailed tutorial:
