..... *sighs* whenever in the unfortunate situation of being in a hotel where I need a key for the elevator the only choice is to meet them in the elevator or find if there's a way for them to take the stairs up to my room. Huge headache I know.

Yup, just ask the staff or call them before you book the hotel.

Its simple enough. Its actually an inconvenience for some hotel guest to always use their keycards to use the elevator, and the staff members knows about this. It doesn't signal any red flags if you ask them before booking a room. I do it all the time. Simply ask them, if they ask why, tell them you often lose keycards and its a big hassle since you walk in and out of the hotel regularly. They should understand, and don't worry too much about it. Just ask them, you be surprise as to their response--they say yes or no. They won't even ask why, if they do, again, tell them its an inconvenience for you.

.....When I check into my hotel suite, I always let the desk know that I will be meeting a few people for my private sector position, which I check in under.  I tell my gentlemen to carry a briefcase of sorts, etc, and I always dress professionally; suit or dress.  We do not hug in public; but shake hands.

  If it is a gentleman I have seen before, he will have my real name, and I leave a key with concierge.  Rule number one:  tip well, and tip again.  

  Now, if you are a gentleman, and booking a hotel room, just call ahead and ask.

  Hugs and Kisses

I call in advance most times. It isn't worth saving a few dollars on Priceline. Last week I didn't call and the hotel was keycard! Stick to bigger hotels, but even some bigger hotels do the keycard thing. Ahem..W...

...showing this info for many hotels in the DC area that was posted on this board.  Haven't seen it in a while & don't know where it came from or if anyone was maintaining it.  They change over time, too; I once saw a lady and went up to the room no problem, came back to see another lady a few months later and they had converted to key-card elevators.  And there are some hotels where some follrs are restricted access and others are not.  If it's a big hotel with a spacious lobby it's not a big deal, just wait casually in the lobby or lounge and hope they come down in jeans or something conservative (NOT the sexy nurse outfit LOL!). If it's a smaller hotel with tiny lobby it can be a problem.

Meet at a near by restaurant and come back together

Meet at a near by coffee shop, give her a key, and return seperately

Have her call from the loby, call back when you are entering the elevator so she can walk in (you obviously don't leave) when the elevator gets to the loby

Wait for her in the loby

If the provider knows her hotel is one of those keycard ones then she should let you know and meet you in the lobby.

Same goes for hobbyist, let her know beforehand and meet her in the lobby.

Handle it discreetly and you'll be fine.

Met a provider in Philly a few months back.  Called from the lobby on arrival, then had to take elaborate directions from her scheduler.  Shoulda brought a pen and paper!  Go to the 5th floor, take two lefts, look under the potted plant for the keycard, take the keycard up to the correct floor and room.  Made me a little nervous but fortunately the "treasure" at the end of the journey was worth it!  Certainly worth thinking about though if you are a provider.  I did almost bail out as it just seemed out of the ordinary.  Little J was in control though, so I went through with the hunt...