Best strategy for early morning arrival at a hotel

[Joolz1000000]

We arrived in Barcelona 8am after an overnight train trip from Granada. We were hot and very tired, and had been travelling at that stage for over two months, so as a mini luxury break I had booked a junior suite for three nights, which usually means a small lounge/sitting area in a slightly more comfortable room. I dragged myself to the desk to ask if we could leave luggage until the 3.30 pm check-in which reviews assured us was strictly adhered to. I was gruffly asked for passports and handed them over. Next "The room wasn't occupied last night. Would you like to go up now?". That check in man was seriously in danger of me leaping the counter to give him a hug. Sometimes, you're just lucky As a bonus, the suite was stunning, way above expectations!

 

[Mr H]

I seldom use large chain hotels so status is not part of my equation. I work on the basis that if I rock up and ask for an early check in, the desk will usually make helpful noises but I won't get a room until maybe 20 minutes before regular check in time (except in Japan where 15:00 means 15:00). I now tend to e-mail in advance to see what the options are - and get better success rate this way. I have offered to pay, but this tends to be met with a request to pay for an entire night or nothing granted. I have never been able to pay less than a full night and get in early.

I have a forthcoming stay at a cheap hotel in TAS and am paying three full nights even though I need the room for less than 48 hours. Flight arrives at 00:15 and flight leaves the next day at 22:20. Experience has taught me that TAS is a difficult place to kill time without a hotel room.

 

[mel-world]

Early Check In and late Check Out is one of my constant concerns.
With so many airports now operating 24 hours and most long-haul flights being overnight for maximum aircraft utilisation, a frequent traveller is always arriving first thing or departing around mid-night. I have tried to use the options mentioned above and have had some success with a number of the strategies However, I do think there should be other published options, especially in regions where the availability and cost of having 24-hour housekeeping staff available makes this a realistic possibility.
While appreciating the need for hotels to maximise revenues from high occupancy, I believe there should be the option available to help the traveller who only wants to drop bags, have a shower, answer emails and maybe get some breakfast before heading out. Similarly, I have often had to 'beg' and pay a late check-out even with loyalty at the Hotel. How often have you heard: 'We can give you a 1800 checkout for only 50% of the daily rate'? As if that is much help when you have a flight departing after mid-night.
I vividly remember arriving at a hotel in Mumbai around 0300 a few years ago with a confirmed booking for that night and having to wait an hour while they cleaned the room vacated by a guest who told me he had also paid a full night's rate and was checking out just at I arrived. A classic case of double dipping.
Some hotels are better than others, realising that many guests will arrive early but others leave before 0600 so having early housekeeping available is real service delivery they can offer. I'd be more than happy to have a published half-day (12 hour) rate for early arrival or late check out and I am always happy (within reason) to accept any room if I need a sleep urgently (as I do not sleep well on planes). I would be happy to accept access to the health club for a shower and breakfast as well if I have early appointments.
I also believe more hotels should look at the 24-hour option - like rent-a-cars - even with a premium.

 

[daft009]

I came across this a while ago (book hotel rooms during the day), but still haven't had a chance to give it a road test..

Between9and5.com : hotel rooms for dayuse - 75%

perhaps useful for someone here

 

[Danger]

My method is to approach the reception desk and say "I've obviously arrived well before check-in so I would appreciate being able to store my bags and perhaps have access to your pool area to freshen up". My feeling is that staff respond positively to someone who acknowledges up front that they are well early and that they are not expecting a room. I think that goes a lot further than outright asking if the room is available.

 

[Flashback]

I have a few notable experiences that still stick in my mind.

One was many, many years ago at the Holiday Inn in MEL - they couldn't offer us the room straight away but said feel free to tuck into a free breakfast buffet and then gave us the room for around 9am I think it was. IHG Gold at the time.

Other one was the JW Marriott in Bangalore, pre-arrival e-mail I mentioned it and was told I could pay for the full night. No thanks. Arrived at the hotel at 5.30am and again was asked to pay, so I said that's fine I'll just head straight to the office and come check in later.. All of a sudden the room was magically OK to give to me at no cost.... "We can't have you going straight into work sir! No, it's OK - you can have it". Marriott Gold at the time, matched from SPG Gold - so was in the days of EL access as a Gold card holder.

 

[Pushka]

In Tokyo, the front desk made us all wait till official check in. Was particularly difficult for a mother alone with 2 small tired unhappy children. I think they could made an exception for her to save her and us the angst. I thought is was a bit cruel actually.

Not reallly. If I desperately needed to have the room I’d book the previous night. I’ve done this a few times. Or if leaving later the next day then I book that night as well.

As IHG Gold. Our best experience was in Dubai at the IC. 6am we were at the hotel. It was Ramadan. Hot. Not only were we allowed into the room but we were given an upgrade to a suite which was half the width of the hotel floor. We kept discovering extra rooms. I’ve found if you’ve booked a club room you have more success and at least they provide you with immediate breakfast.

Agree with rooflyer with the previous notice to concierge about an early arrival.

 

[serfty]

As a World of Hyatt Globalist, I can get early access confirmed on a complimentary basis (not all properties and subject to availability):

 

[Danger]

As a World of Hyatt Globalist, I can get early access confirmed on a complimentary basis (not all properties and subject to availability)

Where does one find this option?

 

[serfty]

Where does one find this option?

Email received today before Saturday night stay.

Had similar last month as well at the same property.