Late arrivals force standby duty: someone has to be there or stay reachable.
The guest receives a personal code automatically before arrival — valid exactly from check-in to check-out. Nobody waits for guests anymore.
Self check-in for hotels — without a 24h front desk
The guest arrives at 10:40 pm, the front desk closed at 6 — and the owner's private phone rings. Self check-in solves this structurally: zimrly creates a time-limited door code for every booking and sends it automatically before arrival via WhatsApp or email. Driven by your booking data, hands-off. One thing up front, because we don't fudge this: the building block is fully built and it works — but it hasn't run on real locks in many properties yet. That's why we label it beta and set it up with you personally, including a test on your own door before the first guest gets a code.
0
key handovers needed
24/7
arrival possible anytime
€99
in the Pro plan — with WhatsApp & Insights (self check-in still beta)
Why key handovers don't scale
Keys get lost, codes get shared, old codes stay valid.
Every booking gets its own time-limited code. After check-out it's worthless — no master code that's been circulating for years.
Smart-lock apps are a hurdle for guests: install app, create account, pair Bluetooth.
No app required: the guest types a numeric code on the keypad. The technology (Nuki smart lock + keypad) stays invisible.
Sending codes is manual work — and error-prone exactly on busy arrival days.
zimrly ties code creation to the PMS booking and dispatch to the check-in reminder — one chain, no sticky notes.
How to introduce self check-in
- 1
Mount the smart lock
Nuki smart lock + keypad on the relevant doors — retrofits onto the existing cylinder, no drilling.
- 2
Connect zimrly
Link your Nuki account in zimrly and assign locks to rooms. PMS bookings are already there.
- 3
Enable the dispatch automation
Choose when the code goes out (e.g. 4 hours before check-in) and via which channel — WhatsApp or email.
Key handover vs. self check-in with zimrly
Key handover
Self check-in
Late arrival
Someone waits or stays reachable
Code valid from check-in — nobody waits
Security
Master code or keys in circulation
Own code per booking, worthless after check-out
Guest experience
Scheduling a handover appointment
Numeric code on the keypad, no app needed
Dispatch
Look up and send the code manually
Automatic via WhatsApp/email before arrival
Frequently asked questions
How mature is self check-in really?
Honest answer: it's fully built and it works — but it hasn't run on many real live locks across many properties yet. That's why we label it beta. For you that means nothing dramatic, but something concrete: we set it up together with you, test it on your own door, and you get us on the phone instead of a ticket system. If you'd rather wait until more properties are running it — completely fine, just tell us.
Which locks are supported?
Currently Nuki smart locks (with keypad) — the most common retrofit solution in the DACH region. Salto is connected but still experimental. TTLock and igloohome are on the roadmap for Q4 2026.
What about guest registration requirements?
Registration duties remain — the registration form can be captured digitally before arrival. zimrly supports you on city-tax and registration topics; municipal rules vary by location.
Does it work for contractors and long-stay guests?
Especially there: arrivals after shift end are the norm. The code is valid for the whole stay and adjusts when the booking is extended.
What does it cost?
Self check-in is included in the zimrly Pro plan (€99/month) — as a beta building block whose setup we handle personally. Plus one-off Nuki hardware per door. 30-day free trial.
Guides on this topic
In-depth articles from the zimrly blog — practical knowledge, no sales pitch.
Related solutions & integrations
Sources & further reading
Self check-in doesn't mean an anonymous hotel — it means your time goes to guests who need it, not to key handovers at 11 pm.
Self-check-in & smart lock
Door code automatically at arrival
zimrly generates the door code from the booking, sends it via WhatsApp at arrival and removes it after departure — connected to Nuki.