The Challenge
The Wyndham Garden Hotel in downtown Christchurch is a dual-purpose development — 96 hotel rooms across the lower four floors, with 29 private apartments occupying the floors above. Although managed as a single entity, the building serves two very different types of occupant with different access needs. Hotel guests require seamless, temporary access tied to their stay. Apartment residents need permanent, flexible access with the convenience of home. A single electronic access control system had to serve both — without compromising the security or experience of either.
The developers needed a system that eliminated the cost and overhead of traditional lock and key management, integrated with their chosen Property Management System (OPERA), and supported both keycard and mobile access. Critically, it also needed to meet the aesthetic expectations of a premium downtown hotel — door hardware that complemented the building’s design rather than detracting from it.
The Solution
Teltrac designed and installed a SALTO electronic access control system across the entire building. SALTO was selected for its reputation for reliability, its wire-free door lock technology, and the significant cost savings it offered over competing wired solutions. The wire-free approach reduced both installation time and ongoing running costs — and SALTO’s range of minimalist door designs gave the architects hardware that complemented the hotel’s aesthetic perfectly.
Key Elements
- Wire-free SALTO locks on all hotel room doors and apartment front doors
- Card readers installed in each of the three lifts for floor-level access control
- 16 wired locks on shared areas including the main entrance, gym, and car park roller shutter door
- Full integration with OPERA Property Management System — keycards automatically generated at check-in
- SALTO JustIn mobile app enabling keycard-free entry via smartphone for residents and guests
“SALTO is unique in offering wire-free door locks, which reduces the time and cost of installation.”
— James Edwards, TeltracWhy This Solution
- Single touch operation — SALTO’s integration with OPERA means keycards are automatically generated as guests check in, saving staff time and getting guests to their rooms faster
- Mobile key option — via the SALTO JustIn app, residents and guests can use their smartphone as a key, eliminating the need to carry a keycard and enabling self-service late arrivals without a staffed reception
- Floor-level security — each keycard or mobile key only grants access to the holder’s own floor, ensuring hotel guests and apartment residents cannot access each other’s areas
- Programmable controlled access — facilities such as the gym can be automatically locked and unlocked on a schedule via the system, eliminating the need for manual door management
- Aesthetic compatibility — SALTO’s minimalist hardware range allowed the architects to select door furniture that suits the hotel’s premium design without compromise
- Wire-free installation — significantly reduces installation time, cost, and ongoing maintenance compared to traditional wired access control systems
Installation
Teltrac installed the full SALTO system across all floors of the building ahead of the hotel’s opening in late 2021 — timed to coincide with New Zealand’s border reopening and the anticipated increase in visitors in 2022. Wire-free locks were fitted to all hotel rooms and apartments, wired locks installed across shared access points, and card readers commissioned in all three lifts. The system was fully integrated with OPERA and configured for both keycard and mobile access before handover. Teltrac’s team also provided hands-on training for management staff to ensure they could get the best from the system from day one.
Outcome
The Wyndham Garden Hotel opened with a seamless, fully integrated access control system that serves both hotel guests and apartment residents from a single platform. The OPERA integration means check-in is faster and keycard management is automated. Residents enjoy the flexibility of mobile access via the JustIn app. And the building’s management team has full control over schedules, permissions, and access logs without needing to call a technician.
“The system is so reliable, there are no issues, and no downtime — which makes my life a lot easier and means I can focus on residents and guests.”
— Alisa Ravelje, Hotel and Building Manager, Wyndham Garden Hotel“The design of the locks is minimalist and fits in with the overall style of the hotel really well, giving a high quality feel. Above all, the installation team at Teltrac have been fantastic. They showed me how to use the system and answered all my questions so that I can ensure we’re getting the absolute best from the SALTO solution. It’s a delight to work with people who are so happy to help and who want to make this development a success.”
— Alisa Ravelje, Hotel and Building Manager, Wyndham Garden Hotel