Mul-T-Lock SMARTair™ Electronic Handle Set Installed At The Ellan Vannin Hotel In Douglas, Isle Of Man

Mul-T-Lock’s SMARTair™ ensured smooth transition from mechanical locking to full access control management at the hotel

Mul-T-Lock’s innovative SMARTair™ electronic handle set has been installed at the Ellan Vannin Hotel to ensure the smooth transition from mechanical locking to full access control management with enhanced guest services across the hotel.

Located in the heart of Douglas on the Isle of Man, on the sea front with spectacular views of Douglas Bay, the Ellan Vannin is a traditional Victorian building, looking out over the Irish Sea.

Owners made the conscious decision to move from a mechanical system to an access control solution, recognizing the instant ability to update room access as and when guests arrive and leave, alongside managing staff access across the premises.

On seeking the advice of MC Locksmiths Services Limited their local Mul-T-Lock specialist, SMARTair™ was recommended to accommodate these requirements, as an easy to install solution that would cause minimal disruption to the daily running of the hotel.

Says Paul Cain, owner of the hotel: “Hotels are faced with a unique challenge to find a balance between guest comfort, safety and security and a need to integrate energy efficiency, cost management and the smooth running operation of the hotel.

“An important element of this is ensuring we can operate on an efficient check in and out basis for guests but it is here we had started to experience issues with key management, especially if guests had unintentionally not returned keys, or keys were elsewhere with staff or maintenance teams. When we investigated the different upgrade options to access control, we were conscious of the costs involved and disruption of cabling. So when Mark explained how SMARTair™ operates as a standalone solution, it was a simple decision to implement.”

Mark Corrin of MC Locksmiths Services Limited continued: “SMARTair™ instantly holds the advantage of being an all in one solution that is easy to install and maintain for all staff while being just like a normal door handle in operation for guests. To complete the upgrade from mechanical to access control requires minimal modification to the doors, and the result is enhanced security, using card credentials that are easy to program.”

SMARTair™ overcomes many of the obstacles including the disruption to the daily operation of the hotel, due to the extensive cabling and trunking traditionally associated with access control systems and associated effects on the aesthetics of the hotel.

Steve Ross, Managing Director of Mul-T-Lock added: “While security is integral to protect guests and staff from crime, what the Ellan Vannin hotel demonstrates is the secondary function of creating an efficient running hotel; where check in and out procedures must be smooth, cleaners have necessary access to carry out their duties and so on. SMARTair™ is one proven cost effective solution which ensures a comfortable environment for staff and guests while delivering high levels of security and overall access control management.”