Kimpton has a pretty cool “social password” concept, whereby you can receive extra perks for sharing a phrase at check-in. Kimpton generally has this promotion a couple of times per year — we last saw this in winter, and there’s now a new password for summer, launching shortly.
I wanted to talk about what the new password is, share my experience using it, and also pose a question to Kimpton regulars about the least cringeworthy way to go about saying it.
In this post:
What is the current Kimpton password?
Kimpton is one of the cooler IHG hotel groups, and there are a variety of things that set Kimpton apart from other IHG brands. One of those things is the social password. The idea is that seasonally Kimpton provides a phrase through social media that you’re supposed to say when you check-in, and if you do that, you’ll receive something extra.
The new Kimpton password is “Good for the Sol,” and it’s valid for stays between May 24 and September 2, 2024. So just say that when you check-in at a Kimpton property during the promotion period, and you’ll receive a surprise.
My experience using the Kimpton password
For those curious about what happens when you say the Kimpton password, I stayed at the Kimpton EPIC Miami some time back, which was my first Kimpton stay in quite a while (and I haven’t stayed at once since either). It was a good value as well, as I was able to use a free night award earned with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (review).
I was curious what the benefit would be for using the password. So I shared the password with the front desk agent. At the conclusion of the check-in experience, he brought out a game show-style wheel. I might have spun too hard, it must have gone around for about 30 seconds. Go figure I landed on the tile that just had me spin again.
Then I spun again, and the prize was free parking. I had a car and was staying for two nights, and parking costs $44 per night. So using the Kimpton password saved me nearly $100 — score!!
Based on looking at the wheel, it seems that some of the other prizes include a free welcome drink, free breakfast, free snacks, and a free movie. There were also a few empty squares, where I guess you don’t win anything. And I’m not sure what the alarm clock, car tipping over, or postcard of Miami get you. Regardless, I’d say those are some awesome prizes, and I got a great reward.
It’s cute how the Kimpton EPIC Miami makes a game of this. I know there’s a lot of inconsistency when it comes to this benefit across Kimpton properties. Some hotels provide meaningful perks (an upgrade, free, parking, etc.), like I got here, while other hotels provide a 19 cent branded koozie.
It’s great that this has stuck around, given that it has presumably become increasingly popular. Years ago not everyone was on social media, so it was a good way to encourage people to follow Kimpton on Twitter, Instagram, etc. With the way the internet has evolved, times have changed a bit.
How do you non-awkwardly say the Kimpton password?
I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds the concept of saying a password at check-in to be kind of weird. So I think it’s fun to compare notes about how people share the password at the front desk. I find it awkward to just blurt out the password out of nowhere.
So when I used this for my stay, I said “I guess I’m supposed to say [social password] as the social password?” That did the trick, but I’d be curious to hear how other Kimpton regulars go about this!
Bottom line
Between May 24 and September 2, 2024, Kimpton’s social password is “Good for the Sol.” Just state that phrase when you check-in at a Kimpton, and you should get some sort of a surprise. The surprise will vary by property, so there’s no reason not to take advantage of this if staying at a Kimpton.
The last time I used the password I got to spin a wheel at check-in, and then I ended up getting free parking, which was a value of $44 per night.
If you’ve used the Kimpton password, what was your experience like?
Eventi in DC gave me an eye mask, bath salts, and Pellegrino.
I stayed at the one in Baltimore and won a free upgrade with the password. And then I stayed at one of the DC Kimptons and...got a free mug and cocoa mix.
I received a marshmallow in San Francisco but free breakfast every day during my stay in West Hollywood
YMMV
I stayed at the Kimpton Maa-Lai in Bangkok, an amazing hotel, but when I said the password they brought my wife & I a useless trinket...
No no - don’t guess. Guessing is beta male before. So is asking a question, unsure of yourself. Assert confidence and dominance. You’re the freaking guest!
“I have a social password for you. It’s (password).”
I didn’t make partner by being a beta.
LOL solid trolling 10/10