How To Get In Hotel Room Without Key Card

19 Secret Deals You Didn't Know Your Hotel Room Key Could Unlock

Your hotel room key may unlock more than just your next guest room. Here are 19 of our favorite perks for flashing your hotel room key.

Courtesy Le Méridien

Le Méridien Hotels: Various locations worldwide

Every Le Méridien hotel worldwide has a partnership with a leading cultural institution. In fact, take a look at your own room key; it's a piece of art designed by several artists that have led many guests to start collecting them. Another reason to keep it handy is that you enjoy free access to various art museums at many hotel destinations including the Yerba Buena Centre for the Arts in San Francisco, Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Shanghai, Secession in Vienna, and Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM). Plan your trip around visiting one of the 20 most popular museums in the world.

Courtesy Stefano Delia for Palazzo Dama

Palazzo Dama and D.O.M. Hotel Roma: Rome, Italy

Palazzo Dama and D.O.M Hotel Roma can arrange a private visit to the Chopard boutique for a one-on-one consultation with the boutique's manager. Similarly, guests can visit Maison Halaby, where Gilbert Halaby, the Lebanese bag designer known for his brightly colored leather handbags, invites guests for tea, coffee or an aperitivo.

Courtesy Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando hotels: Orlando, Florida

As one of the benefits at staying at a Universal Orlando on-site hotel, guests enjoy early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal's Volcano Bay, one hour before the theme parks open. Guests of Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort, also get free Universal Express Unlimited access, allowing visitors with theme park admission to skip the regular lines at most popular attractions in Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure. Find out the 12 most outrageous hotel amenities in the world.

Courtesy Autograph Collection Hotels

Autograph Collection Hotels: Various locations, United States

Autograph Collection Hotels' key cards in the United States give guests access to the brand's dedicated digital film channel, which streams a curated selection of critically-acclaimed independent films, as part of the brand's multi-faceted program, the Indie Film Project. The streaming service currently features seven films, including Exit Through the Gift Shop about acclaimed street artist Banksy; Soul, featuring Michelin stars chefs Eneko Atxa and Jiro Ono; Floyd Norman: An Animated Life, starring Scarlett Johansson; and The People Garden, starring Dree Hemingway and Francois Arnaud. Special instructions on how to access it are on the key card holder when guests check in to a hotel.

Courtesy Le Méridien

Le Méridien Etoile Paris: France

Guests in the city of light can use their room key from the Le Méridien Etoile to visit the Picasso Museum for free. Museums these days can be quite pricey—these comped tickets can be quite valuable.

titanic Kimpton Courtesy Titanic-The Untold Story, National Geographic Museum

Kimpton Hotels: Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia

Guests staying at one of 11 hotels in the Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia region receive a discount to the National Geographic Museum, which is currently showing the Titanic Exhibition. Don't miss these other amazing hotel perks.

Chelsea Courtesy Chelsea Hotel

Chelsea Hotel Toronto, Canada

Visitors to Toronto can shave the cost of many things to do in the area including the Ontario Science Centre, the Steam Whistle brewery tour, Elmwood Spa, Royal Ontario Museum, or the Toronto Zoo with their room key. The hotel's "Show Your Key and Save" program has a revolving list of savings for guests each year. Toronto happens to be one of the top destinations in Canada.

Courtesy W Austin

W Austin: Austin, Texas

Room keys from the trendy W Austin can lead to some substantial tippling in town. Perks include a behind-the-scenes taproom tour at Infinite Monkey Theorem, a free wine tasting at the Messina Hof Hill Country Winery, and a free curator's pour at the newly launched wine bar, APT 115.

Fairmont sonoma Courtesy Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa: Sonoma, California

The hotel's concierge team is constantly adding local wineries and tasting rooms to its list of area spots where guests can show their room key to score discounts or free access.

Courtesy Shelborne South Beach

Shelborne South Beach: Miami, Florida

This South Beach art deco hotel is located along Collins Avenue and comes with its own #MHPerks program. Room keys unlock discounts like a $5 food credit at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila and half off of anything behind the bar at Ricky's.

Hyatt Courtesy Park Hyatt Aviara

Park Hyatt Aviara: Carlsbad, California

Hop the free shuttle from the Park Hyatt Aviara to the Carlsbad Premium Outlets where guests can receive discounts at various stores by showing their room key. You're also near San Diego, which happens to be one of the 10 best walking cities in America.

Courtesy The Dominick

The Dominick: New York, New York

If you're looking to make some big purchases this holiday season, you might as well book a room at The Dominick since a room key there can provide discounts at over 40 SoHo shops including 10 percent off at Bruno Magli, 10 percent off at Diane von Furstenberg, and $50 off a $250 purchase at La Perla or Vilebrequin. Find out 16 tips for saving money when booking your hotel room.

Arts Courtesy Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts

Kimpton Seattle

Kimpton's Seattle properties help guests hit the road thanks to a partnership with Car2Go. Free vehicle registration and a $10 driving credit for one of the company's Mercedes-Benz GLA or CLA models. Guests can grab any car available throughout the city, pay per minute, per hour or per day, and leave it almost anywhere in Seattle.

Wyndham Courtesy Wyndham Destinations

Wyndham Vacation Rentals: The Smokies, Tennessee

If you book one of the spacious cabins or condos through Wyndham Vacation Rentals, The Smokies, there's a full roster of privileges available when exploring Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. These include discounts to the Titanic Museum Attraction, Ripley's Believe It or Not Odditorium, and the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster among others.

Oahu Courtesy Oahu Visitors Bureau

Queen Kapiolani Hotel: Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

Guests at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel, Waikiki Beach can score discounts at the Waikiki Aquarium and the historic Iolani Palace, which was once the state capital. This popular spot represents a time in Hawaiian history when King Kalakaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani, walked the halls and ruled the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Le Meridien Courtesy Le Méridien Denver Downtown

Le Méridien Downtown Denver

The artsy room keys at Le Méridien Downtown Denver can unlock access to nearly a dozen local activities. These include free daily tours at the Clyfford Still Museum, complimentary tastings at Laws Whiskey House, a free glass of wine at Infinite Monkey Theorem Urban Winery, and comped tastings at Renegade Beer Company. Find out how you can get a bigger hotel room for free.

Originally Published: December 24, 2018

Sign up for articles sent right to your inbox

Enjoy the best stories, advice & jokes delivered right to your inbox!

cover

Subscribe & SAVE Save Up To 84%!