Checking into a hotel usually follows a predictable routine. You walk up to the front desk, hand over your ID, and get your room key.
However, Kimpton Hotels adds an interesting step to this process. They offer a hidden feature known as the “Social Password.”
By simply saying a specific phrase during your check-in, you can receive a variety of unadvertised benefits. This guide explains how the program works and how you can use it to get extra value during your next stay.
What Is the Kimpton Social Password?
The Social Password is a seasonal, secret phrase released by Kimpton. Anyone can use it. You do not need to have top-tier loyalty status or a special booking code to participate.
The goal is to encourage a friendly interaction between guests and the front desk staff. When you mention the phrase, the hotel rewards you with a surprise perk.
Because the password changes every few months, you need to check for the active phrase before your trip.
The Current Password and How to Use It
The active password from May 22, 2026, to August 29, 2026, is “In Bloom and Out of OFFICE“.
Using it is simple. When the staff member is checking you into your room, just include the phrase in your conversation.
If you feel awkward saying it out loud, or if there is a language barrier while traveling abroad, do not worry. You can write the phrase down or take a screenshot on your phone and simply show it to the front desk staff.
What Kind of Perks Can You Expect?
The rewards are entirely up to the individual hotel. There is no standard, company-wide list of benefits for using the password.
Depending on the property and their daily availability, you might receive:
- Free breakfast
- Drink vouchers for the hotel bar or lounge
- A complimentary room upgrade
- Free parking
- Small local gifts or branded souvenirs
Keep in mind that these perks depend heavily on the hotel’s daily capacity. It is best to treat this as a bonus rather than a guaranteed way to secure a room upgrade.
Practical Tip: If you want to know what a specific hotel is currently giving away, search social media platforms for the hotel’s name combined with “Social Password.” Recent guests often post about the items they received.
A Strategy for IHG One Rewards Elite Members
If you are an IHG One Rewards member with elite status, you can combine your regular loyalty benefits with the Social Password. However, you should be careful about overlapping perks.
For example, IHG Diamond Elite members can already choose free breakfast as their standard welcome amenity. It is a waste to receive a second breakfast credit from the Social Password.
If you find yourself in this situation, politely bring it up at the front desk. You can say, “I plan to choose breakfast for my Diamond welcome amenity. Is it possible to receive a different item for the Social Password?”
While they are not required to change it, many hotels will happily swap the password perk for a drink ticket, hotel credit, or a local gift.
Frequent guests should also be aware of Kimpton Inner Circle. This is an invitation-only status for highly active IHG elite members, offering even more personalized service specifically at Kimpton properties.
About Kimpton Hotels and Participating Locations
Bill Kimpton founded the brand in San Francisco, California, in 1981. It eventually grew into the largest boutique hotel brand in the United States.
A defining feature of Kimpton properties is their focus on high-end, trendy restaurants and bars. These dining venues operate independently alongside the hotels. In 2005, the company expanded its portfolio by launching two sub-brands: Hotel Palomar and Hotel Monaco.
In December 2014, IHG Hotels & Resorts acquired the Kimpton brand for $430 million. This acquisition allowed the brand to expand its presence internationally.
As of August 2026, there are more than 85 Kimpton hotels operating globally. You can use the Social Password at any of these locations.
While the majority of Kimpton properties are located in North America, the Caribbean, and Western Europe, the brand has recently expanded into East Asia. If you are planning a trip to the Asia-Pacific region, here are the current Kimpton locations:
- Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo (Japan)
- Kimpton Da An Hotel (Taipei, Taiwan)
- Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui Hong Kong
- Kimpton Qiantan Shanghai (China)
- Kimpton Bamboo Grove Suzhou (China)
- Kimpton Aqeos Hainan (China)
- Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok (Thailand)
- Kimpton Kitalay Samui (Thailand)
- Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
- Kimpton Margot Sydney (Australia)
A Look at Past Social Passwords
Looking at the history of the Social Password reveals a clear schedule. Kimpton typically releases a new phrase twice a year: once for the summer travel season and once for the winter holidays.
Here are the phrases used in recent years:
- Winter 2025–2026: “The Life of a Kimpton Guest” (Nov 24, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026)
- Summer 2025: “Social sent me” (May 19, 2025 – Aug 31, 2025)
- Winter 2024–2025: “It’s Giving” (Nov 1, 2024 – Jan 31, 2025)
- Summer 2024: “Good for the Sol” (May 24, 2024 – Sep 2, 2024)
- Winter 2023–2024: “Chalet All Day” (Dec 1, 2023 – Feb 29, 2024)
- Summer 2023: “No Shade” (May 26, 2023 – Sep 3, 2023)
If your upcoming trip falls outside the current active dates, you can use this pattern to estimate when the next password will be announced.
Conclusion
The Kimpton Social Password is a simple, cost-free way to improve your hotel stay. It takes just a few seconds at the front desk and can result in valuable extras like free drinks or a better room.
Before you head to a Kimpton hotel, make sure to save the current phrase on your phone. It is an easy habit that adds a little bit of unexpected value to your trip.
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