JHMH: Automating Remote Access and Key Traceability for Luxury Apart-Hotels

JHMH operates Quartier Libre Collection, a luxury apart-hotel group featuring four- and five-star accommodations ranging from standard studios to large multi-bedroom apartments. At their 19-unit Quartier Libre Saint-Georges property, management handles operations relying on traditional mechanical key lockboxes protected by manual combination codes to manage entry.

This traditional setup created extensive operational friction. Staff members spent considerable time manually changing lockbox codes whenever they needed to prevent past guests or external contractors from accessing keys. Furthermore, the reliance on basic lockboxes meant there was zero operational traceability, leaving management with no records of who possessed specific keys or when they were taken.

To eliminate these vulnerabilities, JHMH integrated Keycafe's automated smart lockbox system directly into the lobby of the Quartier Libre Saint-Georges property. The system houses all critical property keys, including those for guest apartments, common areas, and technical or maintenance rooms.

The daily workflow has transitioned into a highly efficient, hybrid operation. While 90% of Keycafe's functionality is managed remotely by administration, on-site personnel seamlessly interact with the SmartBox using the Keycafe mobile application and physical key badges. Management can assign unique one-time codes to external contractors or trigger locker openings remotely from their smartphones. For late-arriving guests who face access issues after reception hours, staff can simply instruct the guest over the phone to stand in front of the SmartBox, tap the screen, and instantly retrieve their room key.

Since deploying Keycafe, JHMH has achieved complete operational oversight across its luxury apart-hotel operations. The integration has delivered definitive peace of mind to management, replacing manual administrative overhead with real-time tracking data. Key management has become intuitive, requiring virtually no specialized staff training, while technical support availability ensures that any rare hardware questions are resolved promptly. Following their initial success, JHMH expanded its Keycafe deployment to cover five properties across Paris, standardizing high-end operations across their growing portfolio.