Update 10/24/24: New code is It’s Giving
Update 5/17/24: New code is Good For The Sol
Update 12/1/23: New code is Chalet All Day. Valid through February 29, 2024. Hat tip to The Gate
Update 5/23/23: New code is No Shade. May 26 – September 3, 2023
Kimpton Hotels has something called the ‘secret password’, you basically say the password when checking in for some free goodies. The freebie varies hotel to hotel and you might need to repeat the phrase to a manager if the front desk staff give you a weird look. Often you’ll pick your freebie out of a bowl or they will have a wheel to spin as well. The current secret password is “No Shade” and valid on stays until unknown. Here are some of the freebies readers have reported receiving in the past:
- Daily free breakfast
- $30 food and beverage credit
- Free bottle of wine
- Two free drink vouchers
Previous passwords:
- Update 11/6/22: New code is The Snuggle is Real. Starts from 11/25/22.
View Comments (85)
I was diamond/ ambassador last year, used password at kimpton San Francisco, got only a tiny wine bottle.
Last time I whispered one of these at the hotel.. i was arrested and taken to jail for a week
I got four letters for ya: BYODs
Ooo. So their prize was a "Hertz hospitality package"? Must've been a joint marketing venture!
got a stay at a Kimpton on December 7,first time trying this so hopefully it’ll be around by then
Stayed at Kimpton Banneker in DC. Got a wine plus chocolates for being Platinum. Used the secret password and got to spin the wheel. Won 5000 points. Other options were, two free drinks, snacks, free parking etc.
Tried this at a Kimpton in New York City on Sunday and was told it was "too early"
New code "Good for the Sol" wasn't active yet, so I scrolled down and tried "This is a hold up" from below. Got upgraded to a new room at an all-inclusive off-property, thick concrete walls so pretty good soundproofing, and lots of security. I felt really safe there.
Kimpton Monaco Seattle, spin the wheel~ Diamond Ambassador. tried to hit the free parking but unfortunately got 2 free drinks at the bar but we don't drink and grabbed some coffees.
At the Kimpton in Charlotte a few months ago, after giving the secret password, they let me pick an Easter egg with the prize listed inside. The egg I chose offered a $100 onsite credit, which I used at the restaurant. Last year, when staying at the same hotel, I spun a wheel that listed all the prizes; my spin landed on "Choose Any Prize." The 2 best prizes at that time were a $50 onsite credit and 25k IHG points. The points, however, required standing in the lobby and singing a song. I was rain-soaked and surrounded by onlookers with video devices. I had no desire for my performance to end up on the internet, so I opted for the simple $50.
What's nice is that both stays were redemptions of the Free Night Certificate from the old $49 Chase card, so $98 in annual fees translated to 2 free nights at $150 in onsite credits.
Should be valid from June 1 and September 2, 2024 so may not be valid at time of posting.
It definitely sounds fun to give a secret password but I just imagine you trying to be sly with saying it, and then the front desk staff just stares at you blankly while you awkwardly explain why you said that "Good for the Sol" with that tone of voice and eyebrow movements you did.
We went to Kimpton palomar in Philly last Saturday for Mother’s Day. AFTER I was already checked in, I went to the front desk and asked if they participated in the secret phrase. The young lady said that they were waiting to receive the new password but they were still honoring the one that had already expired. I gave her CHALET ALL DAY. She came back out with a 12 inch long Christmas sleigh with tiny Hershey kiss sized, gift boxes. She had me pick one (I let my lady choose) under it, it had the prize. We got 1,000 IHG Points. I appreciated that they did that. And Even though I don’t value the gift very much, my lady thought it was cool that I knew about that. Priceless. Haha