Don't like the remote locking/unlocking capablity on a server to begin with and is that really a safe practice?
It is the most practical way, and in environments like hotels probably the safest as well.
If you would have a not connected lock you would have to rely on a security feature inside the lock itself. Similar like your regular house key, where you rely on the pattern on the key. Or better you rely that only you are in possession of this pattern.
Without a connected lock, the guest that was in the room yesterday could easily copy the key and gain access tomorrow. Like it is possible with your regular house key.
If you have a lock that is connected to the network you just remove the access keys from yesterdays guest and he won't be able to get access to the room anymore.
Makes it easier and safer when you lost your key card as well. The hotel staff deletes the access code of the key card you have lost and replaces it with the code of the new card they will give you. The lost key card becomes useless immediately.
Sure, connected locks have their problems as well. They can be hacked (and they were hacked in the passed), and they most likely will violate your privacy by logging each access on the server.
But "regular" keys can be hacked as well. It's called lock-picking. For the standard house-key this is most likely easier than hacking a server or the connected lock.