One of the changes that has most simplified the management of my accommodation has been to install a smart lock🔑.

Before, I depended on key handovers, lockboxes, or coordinating arrival times with guests. Today, I can create remote access codes in seconds and manage all apartment access from my phone.

With this system, I achieve:

• avoiding in-person key handovers
• generating unique codes for each reservation
• controlling exactly when each guest enters
• maintaining a much more convenient and professional check-in process
• Additionally, combined with online check-in, the guest arrival process becomes completely autonomous.

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The lock I use

There are several smart lock options on the market. After trying different solutions, the one that has worked best for me in terms of price, reliability, and ease of use is Nuki.

👉 https://nuki.io

I have been using it for several years in my apartment and, in my experience, it has been a very reliable solution.

The model I use is the lock pack with a keypad, which allows guests to enter by simply entering a code at the door.

The approximate cost is around €200, and for me, it has been one of the best investments I've made in the accommodation.

The Nuki app works very well and allows you to:

• create access codes from your phone
• activate or deactivate access whenever you want
• manage all apartment access remotely 📱

Furthermore, it allows something very useful when managing a tourist apartment: controlling access for the team working in the accommodation.

With the app, you can create access for:

• the cleaning team
• maintenance
• apartment management

And define exactly when they can enter.

You can also see in the app when the door opens, which allows you to know when the cleaning team enters or if the guest has already arrived at the apartment.

Another very useful feature is that you can open the door remotely if there is any problem with guest access.

In practice, this gives you complete control over the security and access to the apartment.

Maintenance is also minimal. In my case, I only change the batteries approximately once a year.

For guests, it's a very convenient solution: they can enter the apartment whenever they want, without worrying about picking up keys or coordinating arrival times.

And for the host, it completely eliminates one of the most common problems in tourist apartments: key management.

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The process I follow

Once I have the lock installed, guest access is always managed in the same way.

1. I create a unique code for each reservation

Before the guest's arrival, I generate an exclusive access code for that reservation.

This code has an activation date and time, usually coinciding with the check-in time.

This way:

• the guest can only enter during their stay
• the code automatically stops working at the end of the reservation

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2. I send the code after online check-in 📲

Once the guest has completed the online check-in, I send a second message with:

• the access code
• entry instructions
• a photo of the building or the access keypad

This helps the guest arrive with all the information clear and greatly reduces doubts upon arrival.

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3. The guest accesses the apartment directly

When they arrive at the building, the guest simply enters the code on the keypad.

They don't need to pick up keys, wait for the host, or use additional apps.

Access is quick, autonomous, and very convenient.

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Why it works well for me

What I value most about this system is that it completely eliminates key management.

Additionally:

• it avoids travel
• it reduces problems with late arrivals
• it allows you to manage the accommodation even if you're not in the city

For the guest, arrival is also much simpler: they arrive, enter their code, and go directly into the apartment.

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To see how I automate the entire guest arrival process, including mandatory registration and identity validation, you can read the following article:

👉 How I automate guest check-in without meeting them in person