When booking a hotel room, there will be an expected check-in and checkout time listed on your booking confirmation or on its website.
If you anticipate arriving late, notifying the hotel in advance is key in informing their staff and avoiding cancellation charges.
Check-in time
Making reservations in a hotel can be an unpleasant experience for travellers just arriving at their destination and eager to settle down quickly. No one likes having to wait around hours at the front desk before their room becomes available; but there are ways of making this process more efficient and convenient.
Step one in determining when you can check into a hotel is to identify its check-in time. Some properties will have set check-in hours while others offer 24-hour front desk access so guests can register anytime they choose.
Most hotels begin allowing their guests to check into rooms around 3 pm. If you arrive before this time, be sure to notify the front desk so they can prepare your room in time – failing to do so could cause delays and lead to frustrations on arrival day.
If you’re uncertain of the check-in time at your hotel, it is always a good idea to reach out and inquire directly for their exact policy regarding checking in – this way you won’t end up incurring late fees!
Before your arrival, you may also request an earlier check-in at the front desk so as not to wait as long for your room – however this cannot be guaranteed and depends upon availability.
Due to the size and busy nature of your property, staff may not be available early to check you in; in such an instance, your room could be given away instead.
Hotels with high booking volumes often face this problem, leading to guests finding themselves out of their rooms when expected.
Most hotels will accommodate requests for early check-in. This is particularly true if you contact them ahead of time to explain why an early arrival would be advantageous for you.
Check-out time
Check-out time at hotels is essential to maintaining its smooth operations and giving guests plenty of notice before their departure. Housekeeping staff need time to clean rooms before new guests arrive, while guests need time to plan for departure.
Hotels often advertise checkout times online or via confirmation emails; if unsure, however, always ask at the front desk to determine their policy on this matter.
Check-out time typically occurs between 10 am and noon due to housekeeping staff needing time to prepare each room for its next guest.
Many hotels now provide late check-out times; making a request in advance may enable you to secure one and avoid selling off your room to another guest during the day, and is an ideal solution for people staying only temporarily but wanting to leave early.
If you are arriving late and require your room quickly, an early check-in might also be an ideal solution for people needing extra time to pack or catch an early flight.
Whenever staying at a larger hotel, make sure to inquire at the front desk regarding early check-in policy. They may be able to accommodate you but an extra fee may apply in this instance.
Most hotels can’t accommodate you with a late checkout time and won’t bend over backwards to accommodate multiple night bookings as they can’t predict how many rooms will become available during your stay.
Even if they can accommodate you, hoteliers might not make the effort to find you a late check-out room; therefore, it is advisable to request one as early as possible and provide as much notice as possible.
Requesting a late checkout free of charge may also be possible, though the hotel might decline, since they don’t want to make you unhappy by agreeing.
Late check-in policy
Things can quickly go awry when traveling, and your plans can easily get derailed. Your flight may get delayed or you might discover an amazing opportunity at the last minute that cannot be missed; either way, arriving late to a hotel without being able to check-in can be very disappointing.
Most hotels have late check-in policies designed to accommodate your needs, although each policy differs. Most require you to contact the hotel in advance if you wish to check-in later than their standard check-in times.
Small inns or motels with less than seven rooms generally consider any arrival after 7 pm as late, while mid-sized hotels can often be more accommodating and allow customers to use an app instead of visiting the front desk to check in.
However, this option may not always be available and some hotels may charge extra fees – to avoid incurring such costs, it is a good idea to inquire ahead of time with your chosen hotel as to its late check-in policy.
Larger hotels often provide more accommodating policies when it comes to late check-in. This may be because their staff can more readily assist latecomers.
Some hotels also provide early or late check-in/check-out options at no cost, making their stays more accommodating for late arrivals with some time before their room is ready. This feature can come in especially handy if you need access to facilities like swimming pools or fitness centers prior to receiving their room key.
Emailing the hotel and asking if they can accommodate your request can also help ensure they understand it and can work to accommodate it. While no guarantee can be given, doing this ensures staff members know about it and can work together towards fulfilling it.
When making a request for late checkout at a hotel, be polite and considerate of its staff. Since obtaining this type of service can be complex and take some time, be patient while watching for their email response.
No-show policy
Booking a hotel room represents an agreement between guests and hotels for them to reserve space at their hotel in exchange for paying their eventual bill for services rendered. When guests who made reservations don’t show up as planned, this means lost revenue to cover full room cost recovery or make a profit – something the hotel cannot recoup through another booking or cancellation.
No-shows can be especially annoying for guests. As a hotel manager, however, you can minimize them by following some best practices and implementing technology designed to minimize cancellations.
1. Collect Deposits
For both rooms and dining reservations, collecting deposits helps protect reservations by guaranteeing they don’t change without prior notification. A deposit is simply an advance payment that guests give directly to the hotel in advance, and online reservation software makes this simple process possible.
2. Define Cancellations and No-Shows
A key to avoiding no-shows is making your cancellation policy transparent for guests when reserving rooms or tables; ensure they understand what their reservations entail when making reservations, and that cancellation may incur fees.
3. Allow Your Guest an Opportunity to Reschedule
After booking their stay, take every possible measure to contact them should they need to change the date of their reservation. This can improve both their booking experience and protect your hotel from negative reviews, keeping the guest experience positive for all parties involved.
4. Remind Guests About Their Stay
Finally, if you can’t reach a guest through phone calls or emails directly, remind them they have made reservations in your customer relationship management database (CRM) system or send out pre-arrival emails that remind them they made reservations and provide an option to reschedule if necessary.
No-shows and cancellations may be inevitable, but they can be minimized with a solid cancellation policy in place. By creating consistent processes across your hotel and using technology to collect deposits, enforce no-show fees and remind guests of their reservations, you can save your hotel money while offering customers an enhanced experience.
