In recent years I have usually tried to choose a hotel floor not too far up, so that elevator rides would be shorter.

Many years ago I have seen elevator panels with a button marked "pass" whose purpose I thought (but did not try) was to bypass intervening floors.

The ability to sweep the elevator car non-stop to your floor is quite desirable for frequent use during off hours when you feel that an unsavory person might board.

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm