Hotel Function Lock Cylinders

Hotel function lock cylinders are unique and specialized locks designed to provide extra privacy in certain situations. These locks are not very common but are fascinating in their design and functionality.

At first glance, a hotel function lock cylinder looks like an ordinary key-in-knob cylinder. However, it features a small round metal dot on its face. When used with a compatible lockset, this dot pops out when the lock is engaged from the inside, and a bump partially blocks the keyway. As a result, a normal key won’t fit in the keyway, preventing unwanted access.

This type of lock is known as a hotel or motel function lock and is designed to prevent accidental intrusions, such as when a hotel maid enters a room while a guest is in the shower. These locks are also suitable for executive washrooms, offering both privacy and a subtle indication of occupancy.

There is a special, narrower emergency key that works with these locks regardless of whether they’re engaged from the inside. This key is designed for emergency situations.

To test whether the hotel function impedes or prevents picking, we used bottom of the keyway tension with a 50,000-stick Turner and a medium hook, both part of the Genesis set from CovertInstruments.com. While the hotel function made the keyway tighter and more challenging to navigate, an experienced picker would not be significantly slowed down.

In conclusion, hotel function lock cylinders are an interesting solution for specialized privacy situations. While they may not be entirely pick-proof, they offer an additional layer of security and privacy where it is most needed.