To simplify the guest experience, the new-construction, four-star OKKO HOTELS brand in France will be featuring Kaba Saflok RT™ RFID guestroom door locks with Mobile Key by OpenWays built-in. The OKKO HOTELS Nantes Chateau is the first of nine properties to go live with the integrated solution. The new Paris-based brand (created by Olivier Devys, former manager at Accor group with the support of Paul Dubrule, co-founder of the Accor group) blends design and technology with prime urban locations to meet the needs of today's modern travelers.

With no traditional reception desk, staff is available 24 hours a day to welcome travelers. Guests will receive their room number electronically prior to arrival, either via SMS text message or on the OKKO HOTELS branded smartphone app powered by OpenWays, and can proceed directly to their rooms and open their doors with their mobile phone. Any of the 7 billion cell phones in the world (any network/any carrier) are compatible with Mobile Key by OpenWays.

"OpenWays' Mobile Key is part of the foundation on which the all-inclusive OKKO HOTELS concept was built," Devys said. "We designed OKKO HOTELS to give guests their freedom while still providing the highest levels of hospitality and a comfortable stay. Since the majority of our guests will opt for Mobile Key check in, we are doing-away with formal registration processes. Rather than waiting in long lines when they arrive at our hotels, travelers instead will go directly to their rooms and unlock their doors with Mobile Key by OpenWays. No check-in means no need for automatic check-out, therefore all charges for the guests stay will be posted to the guest folio during his first night, with an invoice being sent to him by email."

"Giving guests a choice in how much or how little they interact with our staff is key to their happiness and loyalty," said Solenne Devys, OKKO HOTELS marketing and communication director. "If they desire attended service, our staff is available 24/7. OKKO HOTELS is offering genuine hospitality the way it was originally intended."

The OKKO HOTELS Nantes Chateau is located at 15 bis rue de Strasbourg and features 80 guestrooms. OKKO HOTELS in Lyon and Grenoble will also open in 2014, Rueil- Malmaison in 2015, Bayonne, Cannes and Strasbourg in 2016, and Paris and Toulon in 2017.

Offering Guests Choices is the Ultimate Service
Mobile Key by OpenWays streamlines the hotel arrival process by using the principle of Crypto Acoustic Credential (CAC™) and text messaging (SMS). When guests make their reservations at the OKKO HOTELS Nantes Château, they are given the option to sign up for the Mobile Key service. If a plastic keycard is desired, one can be obtained upon arrival.

Source: OpenWaysSource: OpenWays
Source: OpenWays

"We are delighted that Mobile Key by OpenWays has been chosen as a brand standard for all OKKO HOTELS in France," said Pascal Metivier, OpenWays founder and CEO. "As veteran hoteliers, Paul Dubrule and Olivier Devys truly understand the needs of today's mobile-centric travelers who see self-service as an incremental service while also expecting an human available to help if desired. Replacing the traditional front desk is becoming more common across the globe, not as a way to more service by personalizing the overall guest experience and removing any obstacles that can keep them from having a stress-free stay.

"Mobile Key by OpenWays provides mobile self-service when guests want it, and attended service when they need it," he said. "It lowers transaction costs for the hotel and streamlines staff to other areas of the hotel where guest-facing services are needed the most. Offering a Mobile Key also lowers costs associated with purchasing environmentally-harmful plastic keycards. Hotels looking to attract eco-travelers can now promote that they offer the 'greenest keycard on the planet' since a Mobile Key is made only of data."

Strategic Network Integration
OKKO HOTELS selected SWISSCOM Hospitality to integrate and support the technologies for the OKKO HOTELS brand. As part of a strategic partnership, OpenWays provided SWISSCOM with the end- to-end Mobile Key technologies and solutions, and supported SWISSCOM in its integration work for OKKO HOTELS. With Mobile Key, OpenWays has added a new strategic offering within the SWISSCOM Hospitality portfolio of solutions offered to the hospitality industry.

About OKKO HOTELS
OKKO HOTELS is a break from tradition. Conceptualized by hoteliers Paul Dubrule and Olivier Devys, and designed by Patrick Norguet, OKKO HOTELS is perfectly suited to guests' modern way of travelling. With a central location, the four-star hotel concept is structured to give guests their freedom while keeping hospitality at the forefront. OKKO HOTELS combines the advantages of hotel chains (competitive rates and a range of services) and independent hotels (authenticity and quality services). The OKKO Club and hotel rooms are modern, yet functional, and offer luxury at an accessible price. For more information, visit www.okkohotels.com.

About OpenWays
OpenWays is a global solutions provider of mobile-based access-management and security solutions. With offices in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seoul and in Europe, OpenWays provides technology solutions allowing for the secure issuance and delivery of access rights and keys processed via any cell phone operating on any network. The OpenWays solution is truly unique as it is built on the concept of credential dematerialization. The OpenWays mobile room key solution works on ALL the 6.5 billion cell phones in service in the world today. For more information, please contact Barb Worcester at +1 440 930-5770 or email[email protected]. More information can be found by visiting www.OpenWays.com.

Barb Worcester (for OpenWays)
(440) 930-5770