For the first time I ran into a hotel in Madison
that requred a key card to access the elevator.
Hope that this is not a  trend.

Many studies conducted by the travel industry have revealed that most business and vacation travelers prefer elevator key cards that restrict the use of the elevator to a specific floor when traveling. Travelers like the fact that this safety feature prevents nefarious individuals from lurking in hallways and accosting guests. The insurance policy provisions of some hotels will require the hotel to ensure that only guests and personnel who are required to access the floor can do so. In some hotels, guests must present a key card to access lobby restrooms. There is a growing expectation that elevator key cards will be as prevalent in downtown city hotels by 2027 as free Wi-Fi is today.

Hello! These posts are always helpful, but please include the hotel in question. Without knowing the specific hotel or the chain it is going to be hard to tell if this is a trend or just something a specific chain is upgrading to now. Thank you!

I agree. I'm currently in a newly remolded and updated hotel that does not require a key card to get to the rooms.  I've visited hotels that do require a key, there are always ways to get around it.  Meeting the the lobby or even better the hotel's bar or restaurant or one nearby then walking up together.  

Many years ago I went to visit someone in the Phister Hotel in Milwaukee, they require a key to get to the higher rooms, from what I remember.  The gentleman told me to wait by the elevator until someone else was coming up to get to his floor.  He thought this was a good replacement for him meeting me in the bar.  Needless to say, I left.  I'm not doing that.  He later contacted me and understood why I left after I explained it to him.  

There is always a way around things.

Every time the room key is used, there is a record of it.  I've never worried about this however, it is something to keep in mind.  

As providers we need to know which hotels do what.  Their not all the same.

Make it a beautiful day!

Becca

It was the Hilton. Downtown Madison

If I remember correctly, the Doubletree by Hilton on East Washington, near the freeway, also requires a key card to access the elevators. At least that’s what the situation was about a year ago when I was there.

I avoid the Hilton chain. They are not sex worker friendly at all. They train their employees to spot "sex trafficking" if a gal asks for more towels, counting guests that may be going to a certain room, and also if they spot a gal sitting at the bar by herself. The employees are encouraged to call the police if they see any of these signs so they can "save" us. I actually just saw a video on you tube where a business lady who missed her flight tried to get a room later at night at a Hilton and they grilled her because they thought she was "working". She was not a sex worker and is suing. I would not be surprised at all if they are putting the key cards in all of their hotels for the elevators for this reason.  

Most newer or remodel Marriott brands have key cards.    Come to Wausau where you don't need them or airbnb.  LOL

I actually just installed a key card to my bedroom door. It is to keep out the riff raff.  

I've had key cards left for me...in his car, I was asked to lock the car after getting the key.  I like this as it does not look suspicious on camera.

I've had them left in flower pots, on seats, motorcycle bags, even in a hotel's grill...good thing no one used it!  I've even had one gentleman that was in a hotel long term mail one to me.  I was a bit nervous about it still working but it worked!

It's always good to know what hotels are up to.  The good thing is there is always a way around things...sometimes we just need to get creative!

Those are really good ideas I would have never thought of!!! Thanks for the info Becca!!!

I'd had one provider request two cards when she checked in.  

 
She then texted me to meet her on the street.  On the street, she handed me the extra card and asked that I give her a few minutes to get to the room.

 
I walked to the end of the street and back and then into the key card protected elevator.  No muss, no fuss.