TL;DR – How This Works in Practice
Inlet sets up the integration once, based on how your hotel or resort wants access and guest communication to work.
After that:
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Your staff only works in Mews, as usual
- We connect up your locks once, and map them to your rentable objects.
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No extra systems, apps, or steps are required
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Access codes and guest messages are sent automatically by Inlet
As long as reservations, room status, and payments are handled normally in Mews, everything else runs on autopilot.
A detailed run through
This article explains how Inlet works with Mews to automatically manage guest access and guest communication.
Once Mews is connected to Inlet, the hotel only needs to work in Mews — all access handling and messaging is automated by Inlet.
Prerequisites
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A connected Mews ↔ Inlet integration
(See: Mews Integration Setup) -
Reservations created and managed in Mews
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Room status and payment status maintained in Mews
- A lock system connected to us so we can map reservations to locks and rooms.
Overview
Inlet automatically:
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Collects reservations from Mews
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Determines when guest access should be issued
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Sends access details and guest communication via SMS and/or email
Guests receive access through PIN codes or other simplified access methods, without requiring an app or key card.
Reservation Processing
Inlet continuously monitors reservations in Mews and evaluates them based on configured rules.
Arrival Date Check
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The reservation must be planned for today in Mews
Access Activation Rules
Hotels can configure when guest access is activated.
Option 1: Based on Check-in Time
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Access is activated automatically at the configured check-in time
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Room status is not considered
Option 2: Based on Room Status
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The room must be marked as Clean in Mews
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Housekeeping must update room status accordingly
Optional Requirement: Payment Status
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Access can be restricted until the reservation is marked as paid in Mews
Guest Communication
Inlet sends automated messages to guests at different stages of the stay.
Before Arrival
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SMS can be sent before check-in
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Typically includes:
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Hotel directions
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GPS coordinates
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Arrival information
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At Access Activation
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When access is activated:
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PIN code or access details are sent
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Message delivery via SMS and/or email
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After Check-in
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Follow-up messages can be sent XX minutes after check-in
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Can include:
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Wi-Fi details
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Stay instructions
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House rules
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Support or contact information
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For more details, see:
Types of Guest Communications in Inlet
Important Notes
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The hotel only interacts with Mews
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Room cleaning and payment status must be correctly updated in Mews
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Inlet does not require:
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Physical key cards
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Mobile apps
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Manual access handling
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Summary
By integrating Mews with Inlet, hotels can:
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Automate guest access issuance
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Reduce front desk workload
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Communicate clearly with guests before and during their stay
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Operate entirely from Mews