Digital check-in explained: How to arrive without a reception

"A property without a reception - does that really work?" This is a question we often hear from guests looking to book for the first time. Most of them find they never want to wait in line at a reception desk again. To help you know what to expect, here is the step-by-step process.

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Key information at a glance

• Apartment available from 4:00 PM
• Online check-in is only possible on the first day of your booking, until 9:00 PM
• After that, you can arrive at any time, including late at night
• Have your ID card or passport ready
• No app required; everything is handled in your browser

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Step 1: Complete the registration form

Before you arrive, you will receive an email with your personal link. It opens directly in your browser, so there is no need to download an app. Simply have your ID card or passport ready and fill out the registration form. It takes less than two minutes, and your mandatory legal registration is complete before you even set off on your journey.

Important for business trips: Enter your company address here. Otherwise, the invoice will be issued to your private address and can only be changed during check-out.

Another point that occasionally causes issues: we need the email address of the guest who is actually staying. If you are booking for colleagues, family, or friends, please forward our emails to the travelers.

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Step 2: Complete check-in

Check-in is only possible on the first day of your booking, no later than 9:00 PM. After that, you are free to arrive whenever you like. You can complete your check-in on the train in the afternoon and still arrive at half past midnight.

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Step 3: Receive door codes

After checking in, you will receive a welcome email containing your apartment number, all necessary instructions, and your personal door codes. These codes will be active from 4:00 PM.

You will receive two codes, and it is important to distinguish between them:

The initial code is for your first entry into the apartment. Each digit will be confirmed with a beep. The lock will then activate and switch to comfort mode.

The comfort code is for the remainder of your stay, also with a beep for each digit. The comfort code will work on the main entrance door from the very beginning.

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Step 4: Arrive whenever it suits you

That is the whole point. Your arrival is based on your schedule, not ours. Is your train delayed, is your meeting running late, or are you arriving late in the evening? Your codes will work regardless. Guests who have arrived at eleven at night regularly tell us how straightforward the process was.

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If something does not work

Did not receive a check-in email? You can start the check-in process yourself. Either via the button on our check-in page, where you enter your last name and the reservation number from your booking confirmation. Alternatively, you can do it on-site: there is a QR code in the entrance area that you can scan with your phone's camera.

Last name not recognized? The most common causes are: first and last names swapped, umlauts spelled differently than in the booking confirmation (e.g., Ä vs. Ae), or double-barreled names with or without a hyphen. If someone else made the booking, such as your employer or a colleague, the reservation is often under their name or the company name.

Reservation number not recognized? For bookings made via Booking.com, Expedia, or a travel agency, the portal number differs from our internal number. Please look for the hotel's reference number on your confirmation. Also, check if an invisible space was accidentally included when copying the number; this happens more often than you might think.

Still not working? Please give us a quick call during check-in hours; we will check your details directly in our system and resend the email if necessary: +49 841 93897250 or info@21rooms.de.

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Why we do it this way

Our digital check-in is not a cost-cutting measure. It is a choice made for your flexibility and our quality. The time saved by not staffing a front desk is invested in what you use every day: designer apartments, premium beds, fully equipped kitchens, and weekly cleaning.

Digital does not mean anonymous. If you have any questions, you can reach us quickly and personally—something many guests explicitly highlight in their reviews.

All the details, an explanatory video, and how to get started: Check-in at 21rooms. You can find further answers in our 21questions . For arrival by car, our parking guide for Donaustraße will help.

Book directly, with no booking fees and a discount for stays of 4 nights or more.

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