Guests to The Waldorf Hilton will be able to turn their phone into a room key later this month.

The Digital Key will provide Hilton Honors members with more choice and control over their travel experience.

After having their Digital Key enabled at front desk, guests will then be able to access their room, as well as any other area of the hotel that requires guest access, directly via the Hilton Honors app on their smartphone.

The mobile-enabled room key technology follows the rollout of digital check-in and room selection - still the industry’s first-and-only tool that lets guests select the exact room based on the hotel layout and its outside surroundings.

Digital Key enables Hilton Honors members to simply and securely open the door of their room at the touch of a button available through the award-winning Hilton Honors app.

“We previously invested $550 million in global technology infrastructure to lay the foundations which have enabled us to bring to market, at scale, the digital tools we have today,” said Geraldine Calpin, chief marketing officer, Hilton.

“We know that our guests are looking for more choice and control over their entire travel journey and through digital tools such as Digital Key and digital check-in with room selection, we are giving guests the ability to personalise their stay at every stage, wherever they are in the world.”

Activated the day before arrival, Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can select their desired room on their smartphone using digital check-in and will be asked if they’d like a Digital Key during their stay.

On the day of arrival and once their room is ready, they will receive a notification via the app and will need to pass by the front desk to get their Digital Key enabled before heading to their room.

When the guest approaches their hotel room, they can simply press the virtual “unlock” button on the app to unlock the door.

Guy Hilton, general manager, The Waldorf Hilton, added: “Hilton’s strategic direction is about providing a better experience for guests.

“The Digital Key is designed to complement our team members’ ability to provide unforgettable service and hospitality; whether that’s in person or now digitally.

“Every guest will have their own preference and it’s certainly not a case of moving away from face-to-face interaction, which is still very important.

“It’s about evolving and bringing a physical experience to the digital world. We’re creating a more seamless process for our guests; one that is convenient and secure.”

The UK launch follows a successful rollout of Digital Key in the US and Canada, enabling guests to unlock doors at 1,700 hotels across the world.

Since this technology launched, guests have opened more than 11 million doors and the Hilton Honors App has been downloaded once every eight seconds.