Speedy Arrivals, Seamless Stays: How Hotel June Malibu Eliminated Wait Times With Canary's Mobile Key

The Hotel June Malibu is a coastal boutique retreat featuring 13 mid-century bungalows located along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway. Embodying the relaxed ease of Malibu, the leadership team at Proper Hospitality wanted to ensure the hotel's check-in process mirrored the relaxed nature of the property itself.

To do this, the team combined Canary Technologies' Mobile Key and Mobile Check-In solutions for a fully digital, modern arrival experience. The property also uses Canary's Dynamic Upsells, AI Guest Messaging and Smart Checkout. Canary spoke with Leah Edwards, Corporate Director of Operations, and Thomas Madden, Vice President of Information Technology, about how guests have embraced the option to add their room keys to a mobile wallet.

Solving the 24-Hour Front Desk Challenge

Before Canary, late-night arrivals at Hotel June Malibu were complicated. ID and payment verification were entirely manual, and with no 24/7 front desk coverage, the process often relied on a single overnight security guard. The switch to Canary's Mobile Check-In and Mobile Key removed these hurdles and made the check-in process a breeze. Now, guests are able to get their key directly in their smart device's wallet, no app download required.

"When hotel guests would arrive after hours, we had to rely on the overnight security guard to verify guest identification," said Leah. "Now their info flows straight from Canary to our PMS, so the process is the same regardless of the hour."

No More Late-Night Lockouts

In the past, physical keys were frequently left inside rooms, requiring staff to intervene — especially inconvenient for after-hours emergencies. Canary's Mobile Key put a stop to these late-night lockouts by letting guests simply access their rooms with a tap of their phone or smartwatch.

"Our guests enjoy the easy feel of it all," says Leah. "If guests are in a hurry or just want to drop their bags, they can skip the desk entirely. It's intuitive, efficient and exactly what modern travelers expect."

A More Personalized, Less Transactional Experience

Since deploying Canary's Mobile Check-In and Mobile Keys, Hotel June Malibu has cut the check-in wait time from seven minutes a guest to zero. Instead of processing paperwork, staff can now focus on offering personalized recommendations, transforming a once-transactional touchpoint into a moment of true hospitality.

"We want the guest experience to be less transactional at the front desk," says Thomas. "Now that the verification is done ahead of time, we can create a more personalized guest experience."

Over Half of Mobile Check-Ins Opt for Mobile Key

To maximize the benefits of the technology, the Hotel June team optimized its Mobile Check-In form to be shorter to complete. The team had tried solutions in the past that guests didn't engage with, but since switching to Canary and optimizing the form, adoption is rising steadily.

Today, more than half of all guests who check in via mobile opt for a Mobile Key. "It's such a simple system to use and very user-friendly," Leah said. "Guests have given us great feedback."

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Amanda McDowell

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