Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe Hotel

The 5-Star Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe hotel sought to upgrade hotel security and to provide continuous, around the clock access control to all of its 1,600 main guest room doors, as well as to a variety of back-of-house doors throughout the property. Among the most important stipulations in the selection of an access control provider for the hotel security team was that the system itself offered the latest in technology and maximized the use of wireless connectivity throughout the property.

The convenience and security benefits that the newly installed SALTO XS4 system makes available to guests and staff of the Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe hotel is twofold. 

First, many traditional hotel locks have continued to rely on the use of magnetic strip cards, whereas the SALTO hospitality access control solution exclusively uses RFID proximity technology. Magnetic strip cards are now commonly regarded as not being secure enough for today’s access needs, which is why bank and credit cards have switched from using magnetic strips to cards with chips. Magnetic strips also tend to suffer from instability of the data contained on the strip. For instance, if the access card is placed next to a cell phone it can demagnetize the magnetic strip and make it unreadable. Guests that accidently demagnetize their room card can no longer access their room which results in an inconvenient trip to reception to rectify the problem. SALTO ‘contactless’ locks operate differently from other solutions. Instead of swiping the key card, the guest simply holds the card up to the lock which then reads the information stored on the card - by means of its encrypted, state-of-the-art RFID chip - and grants or denies access to the room. 

Secondly, in addition to using advanced RFID technology on access cards, SALTO maximizes wireless networking in its electronic lock and access control solution for the Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe hotel. SALTO electronic locks are network connected through wall readers, or online “updaters.” These updating points utilize what is called the SALTO Virtual Network (SVN) to gather information that is “written” to and from the card each time it is used and download it into the Property Management Systems (PMS) computer. This technology enables the hotel to cancel users, change access privileges, and gather access audit trail information from every door in the property via one computer - without having to visit each door individually.

“Guests expect perfection when they come to the Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe and their expectations of security are just as high,” says Armando Ríos, of local SALTO distributor BASICORP. “The hotel can only live up to that demand by having the correct systems and its electronic locks and access control must all be absolutely top-of-the-range. That’s what we have provided them with in the shape of their state-of-the-art, stand alone XS4 smart locks using the latest contactless RFID technology from SALTO Systems to handle their electronic security and access control requirements.”

BASICORP is already following up the project with another phase to equip the Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe hotel spa with SALTO locker locks. 

“Guests will then use a waterproof RFID plastic bracelet that uses the same technology as their room key to store all their personal items in a secure locker while they enjoy all facilities and amenities of the Spa,” says Rios.

Fitting the SALTO XS4 system at the Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe hotel was simple, straightforward, and efficient. The whole process from installation right through to final commissioning was achieved on schedule thanks to coordination between BASICORP, various other contractors, and the customer, says Rios.

“What we value most about SALTO is a combination of factors, including quality, service, and operation,” says Carmen Caminero, Accommodation Manager of the Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe hotel. “On the operative level it is a friendly system, easy to use, and delivers a problem-free solution for our customers. The training in how to operate the system, as well as the service that BASICORP has given us, both reaffirm the excellent choice that we have made.”

Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe hotel Project Manager Vicente Soler says installing the SALTO access control system has meant eliminating potential security problems which has resulted in more time to address other issues. 

“The XS4 lock is strong, well protected, and it opens and closes perfectly. It provides us with absolute control over access rights throughout the property and it also handles the sometimes extremely wet weather we get here in the Caribbean,” says Soler. “For me, it’s been the right choice."