After accidentally destroying a painting, Zack and Cody discover an old newspaper article describing a treasure left in the hotel by mobster Alphonse "Hot Peppers" DeLeo in 1938. Soon, the twins, Maddie, Esteban, London, Muriel, and Arwin are all turning the hotel upside down to find it. The treasure was then revealed to be Muriel, Hot Peppers' true love.
Tropes:
- An Aesop: "A valuable lesson about greed", as Mr. Moseby words it.
- And You Were There: The episode features a flashback with young Muriel being played by Ashley Tisdale, Alphonse "Hot Peppers" DeLeo played by Adrian R'Mante, DeLeo's goons being played by Dylan Sprouse and Cole Sprouse, the detective who arrested DeLeo being played by Phill Lewis, London's great-grandmother who "Hot Peppers" stole money from played by Brenda Song, and the other characters involved in the flashback being played by other members of the main cast.
- Backing Away Slowly: As the Tipton guests and staff fight with each other over a treasure hidden in the hotel, Arwin randomly shouts "DOGS HAVE CLEANER TONGUES THAN PEOPLE!", making everyone pause for a moment and take a step away from him.
- Imagine Spot: The cast has daydreams of what they'll do with the treasure:
- Zack has his own game room, Cody is his personal chef, and is together with Maddie.
- Cody has won a Nobel prize using the money to fund his research.
- Maddie is becomes president with the money funding his campaign.
- Subverted with London, who stops daydreaming when she realizes she's already rich.
- Esteban now runs the hotel and has an hour dedicated to salsa dancing.
- It Was with You All Along: The heart Hot Peppers was referring to in his clue was Muriel's heart shaped necklace.
- Running Gag: Zack and Cody holding conferences to decide if they let others join the treasure hunt only for said person to point out they're standing right there.Zack: This conference thing: not working out.
- People getting too caught in their daydreams of being rich.
- Worthless Treasure Twist: Peppers' greatest treasure was Muriel.
