The traffic was hideous. We got lost on the way to the hotel. There was a mix-up with the reservation. Then, the magic words: “Can we offer you a complimentary margarita?”
It was like the clouds parted and a little ray of sunshine and tequila smiled down on me.
The check-in margarita is a hallmark of a stay at the Hotel Valencia Riverwalk in San Antonio, and it’s thankfully not the only hotel known to do so.
Whether it's served immediately at check-in or comes as a drink ticket to redeem later, many hospitality brands are incorporating a complimentary welcome beverage as a tangible way to say, "We're happy you're here.”
It’s a small touch that can make a big difference in elevating the overall guest experience, even serving as a deciding factor for savvy travelers who want the most value for their money and extra perks where they can find them.
Here are five places where you can toast to your trip starting right at check-in.
In this article
Moxy Hotels
Moxy Hotels, which fall under the Marriott Bonvoy umbrella, are colorful, upper midscale lifestyle hotels that are known for exuding a modern vibe with a playful energy, socially driven spaces, and compact yet thoughtful rooms.
There are more than 165 Moxy locations worldwide, and instead of checking in at a traditional desk, guests typically register at the bar where a welcome cocktail or mocktail is offered along with the room key.
The Moxy’s check-in drink varies by location, however the Hotel Moxy Tulum leans into Mexican ingredients like tequila, vanilla, and hibiscus, with its welcome cocktail, the Moxy Lowball.
Drury Hotels
Drury is a midscale American brand with 150+ locations in the United States. A nice touch of staying here is receiving access to their so-called “5:30 Kickback,” which gives each adult guest up to three free drinks per night at most locations. State liquor laws change the policy in a few places, so check the specific property ahead of time.
That includes beer, wine, and mixed drinks, plus coffee, tea, and soft drinks for anyone skipping the alcohol. There’s also food provided that’s often substantial enough to replace dinner, such as soups, salads, hot dogs, nachos, and a rotating selection of heartier hot dishes like sliders and pasta.
I stayed at the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview Wichita, a stately brick landmark overlooking the Arkansas River in the heart of downtown. I found Wichita to be an unexpectedly walkable city, and after a full day of exploring museums, restaurants, and the riverfront, it was nice to return to the hotel for a cocktail and a casual meal instead of heading back out. That's where Drury's 5:30 Kickback really shines: it turns the hotel lobby into a place to unwind rather than just pass through.
The 5:30 Kickback usually lasts for two hours but this varies by location.
Kimpton Hotels
Kimpton Hotels is IHG’s design-forward luxury boutique brand, operating 65 locations worldwide. The brand offers many signature perks, from amenities for pets and in-room yoga mats to the Kimpton Social Hour, which takes place each evening from 5 to 6 p.m. for all overnight guests.
Social Hour is rooted in founder Bill Kimpton’s belief that “strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet.” Specifics vary from property to property but many locations lean into the vibe and personality of the city.
At Kimpton Santo San Antonio-Riverwalk, for example, Social Hour takes place in the Living Room near the main lobby. Guests can enjoy complimentary pours of wine and beer along with a rotating house-made agua fresca that brings a little local flavor to the experience.
Embassy Suites by Hilton
This all-suite Hilton brand operates 270 locations, mostly in the United States and Canada, and while you won’t be handed a drink at check-in, you will be offered a voucher to enjoy later.
These vouchers can be redeemed for refreshments at a nightly reception with beer, wine, and mixed drinks, plus small bites.
A ticket offers each adult guest two alcoholic drinks, and food offerings include snacks like pretzels or chips and dip. The evening reception generally starts at 5:30 and runs for 90 minutes, although this can vary by property.
I once booked an Embassy Suites in Fort Lauderdale specifically because of this benefit. My family needed a hotel room the night before a cruise and I didn’t have a large budget. I wanted to use my Hilton points near the port and took a hard look at amenities. The reception, combined with free breakfast, made my choice easy.
Soft Brands With Boutique Personality
Some welcome drink programs are unique to a property, and are not part of a chain-wide program. So, if you’re considering staying somewhere, especially with a boutique feel where this small touch is most common, it’s worth checking whether they offer this perk.
Hotel Distil in Louisville, for example, gives each adult checking in a “prescription card” for a free celebratory bourbon drink at their nightly 7:33 p.m. Prohibition-repeal toast in the lobby.
The connection: Prohibition was repealed in 1933 and 7:33 = 19:33 on the 24-hour clock. The prescription card is a nod to when alcohol was served during Prohibition for medicinal purposes. Hotel Distil is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, though not every Autograph hotel has this kind of promotion.
The Shortcut
Drury's 5:30 Kickback is the most generous program here with up to three drinks per adult at most locations, plus a food spread substantial enough to skip dinner.
Moxy has no traditional front desk, so you check in at the bar and the cocktail arrives with the room key.
Kimpton and Embassy Suites run fixed evening receptions instead of check-in pours. Time your arrival to take advantage.
Not a drinker? Moxy, Drury, and Embassy Suites all pour non-alcoholic options too.
