Strawberry Hotels: Multiple firsts in mobile access control with Vingcard

In the heart of Gothenburg, Sweden, where heritage and innovation come together in the Clarion Hotel Post, Strawberry is shaping the future of hospitality. Find out how one of Scandinavia's leading hotel brands is revolutionising guest experience and operational efficiency with the help of Vingcard.

A legacy of firsts in mobile access

With more than 200 hotels in Scandinavia - ranging from affordable stays to luxury resorts - Strawberry is not your average hotel brand. "We are rebels, but with a warm beating heart," says Christian Lunden, Vice President Strategic Growth at Strawberry. "We always try to be at the forefront of innovation and the guest experience."

The collaboration with Vingcard began in 2010, when Strawberry became the first hotel group in the world to implement Mobile Access via NFC technology. Fast forward to 2024 and the partnership made history again: Clarion Hotel Post was the first hotel worldwide to introduce Wallet Keys, compatible with digital wallets, thanks to Vingcard's cutting-edge technology.

"These days, guests are very digitally savvy," Lunden explains. "They keep everything - from boarding passes to tickets and even car keys - on their phones. We wanted to bring that same convenience to the hotel experience."

A streamlined journey

We live in a mobile-driven world and hotel guests expect services that match their need for convenience. With solutions like Mobile Access and Wallet Keys, guests can skip the front desk, check in via app or email, and go straight to their room.

Mobile Access is a seamless and secure solution that sends digital key data via Seos. "We have implemented it in almost 100 hotels - that's almost half of our portfolio," says Lunden. "We have even introduced a feature in our Strawberry app called Floating Key, which allows guests to simply hold their phone close to the lock to open doors."

Unlike Mobile Access, which requires an app to be downloaded, Wallet Keys allow room keys to be stored in a digital wallet - alongside credit cards and travel documents. After checking in, guests can open doors with just a tap of their smartphone or smartwatch - even when the phone battery is dead. "So it's basically the same as the plastic key, but with a modern twist," says Lunden. "In Scandinavia, we 30-50% see more use of Wallet Keys compared to Mobile Access. I think this is because it is incredibly convenient." The big advantage for guests is that they don't need to install or use a new app - as long as the key is in the digital wallet, they only need to hold their smartphone towards the lock and the door opens. Wallet Keys thus provide a seamless and secure experience that guests love and hotels benefit from.

Efficiency behind the scenes

For Strawberry the impact of Wallet Keys extends beyond convenience. "It's not just the guests who benefit, it also delivers a lot operationally," says Lunden. While guests enjoy a smoother experience, the hotel team reaps the benefits of a big efficiency gain. Wallet Keys streamline check-in and check-out processes, reduce waiting times and keycard production costs, and give staff space to focus more on personal service. At the same time, Wallet Keys increase security and reduce the risk of lost keycards or unauthorised access to rooms and facilities such as lifts, meeting rooms and swimming pools. It is cost-effective, secure and convenient.

The early success of Wallet Keys in Clarion Hotel Post and Clarion Hotel Karlatornet - Strawberry's newest hotel in Scandinavia's tallest building - paved the way for a wider rollout. "Working with our trusted partner Vingcard has been great," says Lunden. "Since 2010, when we were the first hotel in the world with Mobile Access, to 2024 with Wallet Keys. We want to continue that journey and provide many more hotels with Wallet Keys."

About Vingcard

With more than four decades of expertise, Vingcard continues to redefine solutions for the hotel industry. From access management to cloud integrations, Vingcard supports more than 42,000 properties and 6.5 million hotel rooms worldwide. Together with Strawberry, unlock new levels of efficiency and guest satisfaction with Vingcard. Discover the possibilities via vingcard.com.