Hotel check in/check out times. Patience is a virtue.

I've been in the hospitality business for almost 5 years now and it never ceases to amaze me that guest's don't seem to understand that hotel's have guaranteed check in and check out times for a reason. So many times I've had people come in several hours before check in time and I have to tell them that I can't check them in until later on (which in most cases is still 2 to 3 hours before the guaranteed check in time). I can't tell you how many times I've been on the receiving end of someone else's frustration because they show up 5 or 6 hours early and aren't able to check in right away. The same goes for check outs. Many times the guest tells me that they thought the check out time was later and when they ask for an additional 2 or 3 hours they get upset when I tell them what the absolute latest time that I can allow is.

Many hotels require that guest's check out by 11am or 12 noon. Any later and the guest could end up having to pay an additional fee since they are delaying the housekeeping staff from inspecting and cleaning the room. This means that the housekeeping staff has to wait until later on in the day to service the room therefore the hotel will charge a late check out fee which could be any where from 1/2 a day charge to an additional night's charge. This also means that the hotel can't rent that room until later on in the day which could mean a loss of revenue for them.

Many hotels also don't guarantee check in's before 2 or 3pm. This is so that the housekeeping staff has enough time to ensure that all rooms have been cleaned and inspected properly. Even if you request an early check in, chances are that you'll be charged an early check in fee. Hotels do this because you are using their services longer than expected and therefore means that you are creating more work for the hotel staff and possibly even costing them more money.

Here's what I suggest that everyone does when making a hotel reservation. Find out what their check in and check out times are by going to their direct website or by calling the hotel directly. If you want to check in early, call the hotel ahead of time and ask what their early check in fee is. If you would like to check out after the required check out time, call down to the front desk no later then the night before you check out and ask what their late check out fee is. This way you won't be taken by surprise when you arrive at the hotel and when you go to pay the final bill.

Until the next line......