How Aircraft Hotel Simplified Operations and After-Hours Guest Check-Ins

Key Summary

• The Partner: Aircraft Hotel & Event, a unique aviation-themed hotel and premium event grounds accommodating up to 1,500 guests in Germany.
• The Challenge: Managing keys for 20 unique themed rooms and high-value conference spaces across rotating event staff and late-night guest/flight crew arrivals created costly after-hours bottlenecks and zero operational visibility.
• How did Aircraft Hotel use KeyNest?: They deployed a KeyNest Private Locker right at the entryway, entirely automating the key storage, checkout process, and digital tracking.
• Key Results:
  • Automated 24/7 Arrivals - Guests and flight crews securely collect keys independently outside reception hours, removing the need for after-hours staff.
  • Full Key Accountability - Every single key movement is digitally logged via a smart real-time dashboard, completely eliminating lost keys and manual logbooks.
  • Relaxed Guest Experience - Access codes are sent automatically before arrival, creating a smooth, independent, and stress-free check-in process.

Found in the Take-Off business park at Neuhausen ob Eck Airfield, Germany, Aircraft Hotel & Event combines modern hotel comforts with the wonders of aviation - the grounds are perfect for corporate events, private celebrations and gatherings of up to 1,500 guests. 

While the venue boasts runways for guests arriving by plane or helicopters, internal operations were experiencing turbulence. Managing keys for 20 unique, aviation-themed rooms and conference spaces (like Hangar Bravo and the Skylounge), while also juggling a revolving door of event staff created an administrative bottleneck. 

Management turned to KeyNest Lockers, allowing Aircraft Hotel & Event to completely automate the key handover process. This positive change in daily operations removed the need for after-hours staff for check-ins, and also helped conveniently secure high-value event spaces, saving time every day thanks to the complete removal of any kind of manual key coordination. Head of Hospitality and Events at Aircraft Hotel & Event, Nadja Tavarez, said: 

“The new KeyNest key locker has been working really well so far [...] it’s easy and reliable to use.”

The challenges of managing keys for a combined hotel and event venue

Corporate events, private celebrations and constant hotel guests created a headache for key management. As the venue grew more popular and events became more complex, there were four distinct operational issues that became apparent: 

1. The After-Hours Check-In Drain: Guests and flight crews frequently arrived after airfield operating hours. Keeping staff on-site solely to hand over keys was both costly and inefficient.

2. Chaos in Key Coordination: With shift changes, rotating teams, and guests arriving outside of normal desk hours, managing keys and maintaining visibility over access became increasingly difficult and time-consuming. 

3. Zero Visibility: If a key went missing, there was no way to verify who took it, when, or if it had been returned, not even a manual log book.

How a Single KeyNest Locker Helped Management Remain Airborne

To help address all the above operational headaches, Aircraft Hotel & Event turned to KeyNest, specifically their private locker system. Once installed at the entryway of the venue, the aviation-themed hotel gained several key benefits.

“ A particular advantage is that our guests can pick up their keys themselves, flexibly and easily - even outside of reception hours.” - Nadja

Centralised Key Storage

All keys are now stored in a secure, easily accessible locker, enabling quick key retrieval for whoever needed it as soon as they arrived on-site.

24/7 Key Access

Delayed or late-night arriving guests can now securely access keys outside standard working hours, no staff is required to facilitate the handover.

Controlled Staff Access

Only personnel who have been sent a unique, time-sensitive code can collect or return a key.

Key Tracking

Every key movement is digitally logged - showing who took which key, at what time, when it needs to be returned, and when it was returned.

Smart Dashboard

Hotel management can track key movements, view access logs, manage permissions, and see which keys are currently in use, all in real time. Access codes can also be generated automatically and sent to guests and staff before arrival. 

Regaining Control Thanks to a KeyNest Locker

Since switching to the KeyNest Locker for key access, Aircraft Hotel & Event have gained another layer of security and control. The trackability of all key movements helped increase overall staff accountability and reduced the risk of key loss. 

Now that keys were stored in a single, centralised location (the KeyNest Locker), there was no need for complex coordination. Workflows became smoother during events as a member of management no longer needed to be chased down by event staff just to get access to certain spaces. 

“This saves time, reduces inquiries, and makes for a much more relaxed check-in process overall.” - Nadja