Zitlin connects to TTLock and Akiles smart locks and ties access codes to the reservation itself. Code generated on booking, revoked at checkout — no separate lock app, no manual handoff.
Manually creating an access code for every guest — then remembering to revoke it at checkout — doesn't scale once a property is running more than a handful of rooms a night. It gets worse with hourly or day-use bookings, where the same room might turn over three or four times in a day and a forgotten code means a stranger can walk into an occupied room.
Zitlin connects directly to the smart locks already installed on your doors and ties access codes to the reservation itself. The code is generated when the booking is confirmed and revoked the moment the guest checks out. No one at the front desk opens a separate lock app, writes anything down, or has to remember to clean up after a guest leaves.
How Smart Lock Integration Works in Zitlin
The access code lifecycle is driven entirely by the reservation — not by a separate manual step.
| Reservation event | What Zitlin does automatically |
|---|---|
| Booking confirmed (front desk, OTA, or direct booking engine) | Requests an access code from your connected TTLock or Akiles account for the assigned room |
| Code generated | Sent to the guest by SMS, WhatsApp, or email with check-in instructions |
| Check-in / check-out time adjusted in the folio | Code validity window updates to match — covers early arrivals and late checkouts |
| Guest checks out | Code is revoked automatically — no manual cleanup in the lock app |
If a room assignment changes mid-stay, the code for the new room is issued and the old one revoked in the same step — there's no window where two rooms are simultaneously accessible to the same guest, or where the previous code remains live after a room swap.
Currently Supported Lock Brands
| Brand | Common among | Unlock methods |
|---|---|---|
| TTLock | Independent hotels and guesthouses across India and Southeast Asia | App, PIN code, RFID card, fingerprint — same device |
| Akiles | Boutique hotels and STR operators in Europe | Smart cylinders, PIN pads, remote access via Akiles Cloud |
If you already have TTLock or Akiles hardware installed, there's no extra setup on the lock side — connect your existing account to Zitlin and your rooms are covered. More lock brands are added based on customer demand; if yours isn't listed, let us know which one you're running.
Manage Access Codes from Any Device
Where This Matters Most
Hourly and day-use bookings. A code that's valid for exactly the booked window and disappears the moment the stay ends is the difference between a manual process you can run at 5 bookings a day and one you can run at 50. This is the single biggest reason properties running hourly bookings adopt smart lock integration first.
Late or unattended check-in. Guests arriving after the front desk closes can let themselves in with a code they already have, instead of waiting for staff or fumbling with a lockbox and a spare key.
Multi-property operators. Instead of switching between a TTLock app for one property and an Akiles app for another, access codes for every room across every property are issued and tracked from the same Zitlin dashboard — alongside the reservation, the folio, and the OTA calendar for that unit.
Zitlin vs Other Approaches to Key Handling
| Zitlin (TTLock / Akiles integration) | Manual key / lockbox | Enterprise hotel lock systems | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code tied to reservation automatically | Yes | No — manual creation | Yes, but requires vendor integration |
| Revoked automatically at checkout | Yes | No — manual revocation or physical key return | Yes |
| Works for hourly / day-use turnover | Yes | Operationally difficult at volume | Rarely designed for this |
| Hardware cost | Existing TTLock/Akiles hardware, no proprietary install | Minimal (physical keys, basic lockbox) | High — on-premise encoders, certified installers |
| Setup for a 10–20 room property | Connect existing account | None needed, but doesn't scale | Usually out of reach — vendor certification process |
| Brands in this category | TTLock, Akiles | — | VingCard, Salto, Saflok, Onity |
Most PMS platforms built for independent hotels don't touch smart locks at all — key handling stays a fully manual front-desk task regardless of what hardware is on the door. At the other end, legacy hotel lock brands built for large chains generally require formal vendor certification and on-premise encoding hardware, putting them out of reach for a 10- or 20-room independent property.
Zitlin sits between the two: it connects to the cloud-native, affordable locks independent hotels and STR operators are already buying, without requiring proprietary front-desk hardware or an enterprise integration that goes mostly unused.
Who This Is For
Smart lock integration is most useful for properties where manual key handling has become an operational bottleneck:
- Hourly and day-use properties turning rooms over multiple times a day, where manual code creation and revocation doesn't scale past a handful of bookings
- Unattended or late check-in properties in India and Southeast Asia where front desk coverage doesn't extend to late-night arrivals
- Multi-property STR operators managing TTLock or Akiles locks across several units who want one dashboard instead of switching between lock apps
- Boutique hotels in Europe already running Akiles hardware who want access codes generated from the reservation rather than a separate cloud portal
Frequently Asked Questions
What smart locks does Zitlin currently support? TTLock and Akiles, with more brands added based on customer requests. If your property runs a different brand, contact us — integration priority is based on how many properties are asking for a specific lock.
Does smart lock integration work with hourly or day-use bookings? Yes. Access codes are tied to the actual reservation window, so a four-hour day-use booking gets a code valid for exactly those four hours — not the full day.
Do I need to buy locks from Zitlin? No. Zitlin doesn't manufacture or sell lock hardware. It connects to TTLock or Akiles locks and accounts you already own or can purchase directly from those brands.
Is smart lock integration available on the free plan? No. It's part of the Pro plan, alongside OTA sync and multi-user access.
What happens if I move a guest to a different room mid-stay? The access code for the new room is issued and the old code revoked in the same step — there's no period where the guest has access to both rooms or retains access to a room they've left.
Does this require any special hardware install at the front desk? No. There's no proprietary front-desk hardware or encoding station. You connect your existing TTLock or Akiles account to Zitlin from a browser.
Can guests unlock the door without the Zitlin app? Yes. Depending on the lock brand, guests can unlock using a PIN code, RFID card, or fingerprint — they don't need to install anything. The code is delivered by SMS, WhatsApp, or email.
What if my property uses a different lock brand? Let us know which brand you're running. New lock integrations are prioritized based on how many properties are requesting them.
TTLock, Akiles, VingCard, Salto, Saflok, and Onity are trademarks of their respective owners. Zitlin is not affiliated with any of the lock manufacturers named on this page.
