This Simple Hack Will Let You Override Your Hotel's Thermostat Temperature

You can now make it as warm or frosty as you'd like.

Taking a vacation means you should be able to do everything your way. From choosing where to stay and eat to picking what to do, it's all up to you. So, you’d think you get to decide the temperature in your hotel room, too, but that's not always the case.

Many properties now use automated temperature controls to keep guests from setting their air conditioning too low. But if you like to keep your room frosty, the internet has a solution.

Hotels like to make you think you’re in control of every aspect of your stay, when, in fact, you may not be, especially when it comes to temperature control in your room. Want to see it in action? Just head over to your room’s thermostat and try to lower the temperature past 70 degrees. Odds are, you can’t. Or, at least you think you can’t. All you need to do is get to VIP mode.

Your Mileage Your Way broke down the many ways to access this feature across an array of thermostats found in hotels, including the Alerton, Amana, Carrier, Ecosmart, GE, Honeywell, HotelTech, and Inncom systems.

For example, for the Inncom system, the website shared in a video, you must hold down the “display” button, press the “on/off” option, release, then hit “up.” It should then display either “DON” or “VIP,” giving you full control over the temperature system.

The same steps work for many other systems, but when in doubt, Google the name of the system with “VIP Mode” to find a solution.

While it's nice to have control over your own air, hotel managers believe setting some parameters may be in your best interest. 

"When it comes to thermostats, the world has evolved," Randy Gaines, Hilton's senior vice president of operations, told The Wall Street Journal in 2017 on the company's decision to rig its thermostats. "We're getting far fewer complaints than we used to years ago."

It's also a choice that's in the hotel's best interest, as it can lower the property's risk of burst pipes or leaks by controlling the temperature and environment, helping to keep hotels just a bit more energy efficient. That's because, as Technology 4 Hotels reported, "Guest rooms account for 90% of wasted electricity usage," quickly racking up a larger carbon footprint. 

However, it's also a room you're paying for, so if you're uncomfortable, try the quick trick above. And if you still can't find the sweet temperature spot, call the front desk and ask for some assistance.