Premier Inn creates Father Christmas master key VIP

For the first-time ever Premier Inn has created a master key to every single one of its hotels across the UK for the exclusive use of Father Christmas delivering presents on December 24. The VIP keycard has been created in response to questions from guests who are keen to understand if Father Christmas can deliver presents to its rooms – which do not have fireplaces to allow for traditional chimney access. In fact, following the news that Santa is exempt from travel restrictions thanks to magical powers which keep him safe, the hotel company has been snowed under with the question from guests up and down the country. In response, Premier Inn has created a VIP master keycard for the exclusive use of Santa Claus on December 24, ensuring not only can he visit rooms, he can do so more easily than ever before. In previous years Santa has of course still been able to visit every hotel but has traditionally relied on individual hotel managers to let him in – a process which can take a little while if they are busy helping other guests. Now, he will be able to complete his rounds in record time , while young guests enjoy a comfy sleep in Premier Inn’s luxury beds, as he doesn’t need to wait for anyone to let him in. The news was welcomed by mum Lucy Birch, who is staying at Premier Inn's Bognor Regis hotel on December 24 with husband Stewart and six year-old daughter Imogen. They are staying at the hotel ahead of visiting Imogen’s grandma Nonnie, who lives nearby. NHS worker Lucy said: "This is the first time we've stayed at a Premier Inn on Christmas Eve and we were curious as to how Santa was going to visit our room, given it won't have a fireplace. Imogen is brimming with excitement about Christmas and so we’re really happy to hear Premier Inn has created Santa his own key card and that it is on its way to the North Pole ready for Christmas". Managing Director Simon Ewins said: “All our guests are special but perhaps none more so than Santa, who many of our long-serving team members have known for years now through his annual visit to our hotels up and down the country. This year, we’re making it easier than ever for him to complete his rounds by presenting him with his own special key which is on its way to the North Pole as we speak. This Christmas is like no other, but we wanted to reassure our guests that some things never change, including the warm welcome you can expect at Premier Inn”. The Premier Inn CleanProtect enhanced hygiene regime will ensure Santa’s safety between hotel drop-offs. He will sanitise his hands between every visit and drop his keycard off in one of Premier Inn’s new contactless key drop-off boxes at the end of his shift, where it will be automatically deactivated until he needs it again next Christmas. A downloadable ‘Santa Stop Here’ poster is available at www.premierinn.com/santa which can be printed off ahead of December 24 to pin in room windows. Optional donations to Premier Inn’s chosen charity, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity are welcomed in return for anyone who wishes to print the poster by scanning the QR code. Give a gift to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity this Christmas and together, we can help children feel at home, wherever they may be.