A large Hotel chain is setting up a trial for customers to use their smartphone as their hotel room key for their stay. The Holiday Inn is starting the trial at two of its hotels and subject to a satisfactory trial will roll it out across all hotels in all countries.

The two hotels are located in Chicago and Houston and will trial the smartphone entry system which would replace key cards in this instance. The trial commences in June this year and will last three months.

The smartphone entry system would work by users downloading an App for their Blackberry, Android or iPhone and then they are able to enter their room simply by placing their smartphone near the door sensor. The Holiday Inn already offers customers a downloadable iPhone App to make reservations ( see above ).

The door entry downloaded App will also offer guests exclusive offers from the hotel chain.