This hotel had two floors you could get on the elevator I meet her on the second floor which was not that busy. We got on the elevator and a gentlemen got on with us he got all nervous pushing wrong buttons looked like he was going to blow a wad right there wish I could have taken phone and taken a picture it was priceless.
I have had 3 different types of experience: provider met me in lobby and I rode up with her; provider who hid the key near the elevator (which I could not find, probably looking very odd rummaging through the planter in vain); provider saying you need to find a way up on your own (the planter lady finally asked me to do this). Any tips on how to shadow guests, convincing cover story, etc?
The last time the elevator required a key scan for each floor button pressed and while I got on, my floor button would not engage and I had no idea what to do or say. The guest (there was also a staff member) probably saw my discomfort and scanned his key again. Awkward....
...and never had a lady hide one for me to find. That just seems bizarre. I've also never had one tell me to find my own way up. If either of these cases occurred I would have left.
Most of the time they've had me text them from the lobby and wait by the elevator, then when the evelator opens, I just join them and we ride back up. A couple of times they've told me to meet them in the bar and then we head to the room.
The most unique time was when a gal told me she'd leave my name (Mr. Blutarsky) at the front desk with the okay to let me up. That was interesting, when I checked with the front desk, the clerk replied... yes, Mr. Blutarsky, right this way. He led me to the elevators, put in the key card, punched the floor and went back to the front desk. We had a laugh about that one when I got to the room. She apologized for having to do it that way, but had just checked in and needed the time to get ready. She told me that when she checked in, she just told the front desk that an old friend was meeting her and asked if they could let him up when he arrived. They were more than happy to oblige. Now, I'm sure she didn't use the same story for her other callers and probably met them either in the bar or by the elevators, but for this one time it worked fine.
...before the current requirement of having to show ID just to check in.
and took it away.
The way I've always handled this situation is that she told me she would come down to the elevator llobby, and when I saw her, to just get on the next elevator with her and get off the elevator with her.
It's always worked like a charm.
...but if it ever does come up I would ask the lady to meet me in the lobby so that we would ride up the elevator together (like mrfisher noted)
This hotel had two floors you could get on the elevator I meet her on the second floor which was not that busy. We got on the elevator and a gentlemen got on with us he got all nervous pushing wrong buttons looked like he was going to blow a wad right there wish I could have taken phone and taken a picture it was priceless.
I was heading up to see a provider. She provided (hehe) all the instructions on how to get from the building entrance to her room, so I was going through the steps like a trooper. I got the elevator on the first floor, and pushed the right button. I was the only inside, so I started using the elevator mirrors to fix my hair, since it got messed up in the wind. Then, a few floors higher, an elderly couple gets on. The husband looks at me, and says: "Ah-ha! We caught you now!" I smiled back at him without saying anything. They got off one floor before me.
I told the provider what happened in the elevator. She was laughing pretty hard. That said, the hotel was almost 100 years old. So it's quite likely that the husband did some hobbying there back in his younger days.
I sympathize with the OP. I don't know a good way around the key card problem.
I have on several occasions actually called agencies after appointments and told them they shouldn't book in the hotel they just put their girl in because of the key card. In every case, they had no idea that the hotel did that and appreciated the call.
One of the reasons providers don't like to come out to meet folks is that they are already "dressed" for the date. Also if they keep coming out on the hour to escort a new guy into the elevator, people might begin to talk.
The last time the elevator required a key scan for each floor button pressed and while I got on, my floor button would not engage and I had no idea what to do or say. The guest (there was also a staff member) probably saw my discomfort and scanned his key again. Awkward....
I haven't been in a hotel with card access to the elevator, but wouldn't they have the same thing for the stairs -- at least main floor ingress. I'm sure egress must be always allowed for fire code.
the locks have overrides in the event of a fire alarm.
And, if she's on the 33rd floor, you'll be too pooped to pop by the time you do get up to her room
Yikes! Being in the technology field, I don't have a high degree of confidence that it'd function in every case.
And, if she's on the 33rd floor, you'll be too pooped to pop by the time you do get up to her room.
One reason is security, to keep creeps and thieves from entering the staircase from the lobby or elsewhere and then gaining access to an upper floor.
Another reason is SAFETY. In the event of an emergency, they don't want people hitting the stairs and then trying to exit into flames, smoke, or other danger on an upper floor. The only doors that open to get out of the stairwell will be those that open to other proper safety exits: lower floors to the lobby, atrium, upper atrium, swimming pool, parking levels.
As keyed access spreads, please be prepared to come down and get us, maybe even dressed down in civvies to avoid attracting attention.
These days stairwells will have cameras in them of the type that set off an alert to security whenever someone enters them because ordinarily, hotels don't expect people to be in the stairwells and so when someone does enter, they figure they are either up to no good,or are in need of some kind of assistance. Either way, you don't want to have a meeting with hotel security under any circumstances.
By the way, fire alarm systems have to be tested at least once a year and the operation of the lock override is a part of that test. You can be sure that it was installed by a competent licensed mechanic who has had no more than a six pack of beer for lunch that day
for sharing your stories and thoughts. The approach suggested by Mr Fisher sounds discreet and promising.
This issue is overblown. The best way to handle is to have the lady meet you in the lobby, or someplace nearby such as the hotel bar for a drink. With an experienced lady, this won't be an issue. It's only when you act unsure of yourself that you attract undue attention. Playing hide and seek with hotel keys would be a way to do this. Taking the stairs up probably wouldn't, though I would advise against it if it's more than say, four or five floors.
First of all, unless I am going to her home or to a hobby apartment or townhouse, I prefer outcall to avoid one obvious tried & true sting scenario. The condo or apartment complex will either have clear approaches to the individual units or a way to get buzzed in. If I am inviting her to my hotel, I scope out the entries, presence of key cards, etc and will suggest some of the approaches others have offered. Another thing I try to do is to leave by a different entrance that the one I entered. If I enter by the front lobby, I will look for a side exit to the parking lot so I don't go through the lobby again about an hour later. If she visits me, I will suggest a back door for her to leave.