Contact Us

Modernizing Access Control at Choice Hotels with Dwarpaal Inc.

Project Overview

Dwarpaal was selected by Choice Hotels International, one of the world’s largest hotel chains, to modernize access control across its portfolio. The initiative aimed to retrofit legacy RFID locks with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) capabilities, support mobile credentialing, and enable future-ready digital guest access experiences. Dwarpaal’s approval followed a rigorous evaluation of security, PMS compatibility, and brand alignment with modern guest expectations.

Scope:

System Design, Bluetooth Hardware Retrofit, Software Enablement, Credential Management, Training, and Brand Documentation

Project Size

400+ hotels in the initial rollout phase (Part of 7,600-property global network)

Industry

Hospitality

Population Served

100M+ users across economy and midscale brands (Potential)

Delivery Period

Multi-phase rollout over 24 months

Challenges Addressed

  • Legacy Lock Upgrades: Add BLE functionality to millions of existing RFID locks without full hardware replacement.
  • Mobile Enablement at Scale: Deliver a frictionless mobile key experience across brands with varied infrastructure.
  • Brand Compliance: Align with Choice Hotels’ security, branding, and PMS integration standards.
  • Guest Experience Modernization: Replace keycards with mobile credentials in a user-friendly, brand- consistent interface.
  • Global Standardization: Create a scalable, repeatable model for international deployment.

Solutions Delivered

Dwarpaal Inc. was selected to provide a comprehensive access control solution that met MKL Properties’ specific needs.

The implementation included:

Bluetooth Retrofit Kits

Dwarpaal deployed hardware upgrade kits enabling BLE on existing RFID locks from multiple OEMs, minimizing cost and disruption.

Mobile Credentialing

Integrated digital keys with branded hotel apps, allowing guests to unlock rooms using their smartphones via Dwarpaal’s secure mobile SDK.

Dwarpaal Connect Cloud Platform

Delivered a centrally managed cloud backend with OTA credential provisioning, revocation, audit logs, and role-based access.

DwarpaalOnprem Option

Supported for franchise properties preferring on-site control, enabling PMS-sync, credential management, and offline fallback.

Training and Rollout Toolkit

Developed standardized documentation, self-paced video training, and certification modules for hotel GMs and staff.

Additionally, MKL Properties leveraged Dwarpaal’s GuestConnect platform to enhance their services:

Training and Rollout Toolkit

Developed standardized documentation, self-paced video training, and certification modules for hotel GMs and staff.

Guest Loyalty and Personalized Messaging

By delivering personalized messages and offers, GuestConnect helped build guest loyalty and improve overall satisfaction.

Results Achieved

The implementation of Dwarpaal’s solutions resulted in several key benefits for MKL Properties:

Brand-Wide Modernization Path

Established a vetted, scalable solution path for 7,600+ properties worldwide.

Mobile-First Guest Journey

Enabled digital check-in and keyless room entry, enhancing satisfaction and loyalty.

Cost-Efficient Retrofits

Upgraded legacy locks without needing door or lockset replacements, ensuring minimal guest disruption.

Enterprise-Grade Security

Delivered AES-encrypted credentials, OTA updates, and centralized policy control across the chain.

Franchise and Corporate Alignment

Provided both cloud and on-prem deployment models to suit corporate and independently owned properties.