Is check in time a SECRET???

[HotelMinion]

Do people really not know about check in time?

See, I thought that people knowing about check in time is common sense, like knowing how to tie your shoes or tell time. But lately, people have NOT known about check in time and have been seriously thinking that they can check in whenever. For example, a person makes a booking for the 24th. Once the clock hits midnight they think that's check in time. Midnight. Completely ignoring the sign that says check in time's at 3. Soooo what're they thinking? That just because a hotel is open 24/7 they can check in whenever? Or they know be they don't gave a damn? Check in time's been a thing for decades and people still are in the dark about it? Even long term regulars do this. So when do you check in?? I won't judge...maybe.

[ParkingWitch]

It's been a good fifteen years since I've last traveled, but it was always find an open room once we've gotten to where we were going. The only time I've stayed in a pre-booked room a crazy friend wanted to spend a night in the new hotel in town.

[Sulhythal]

Honestly, I think it's less a secret and more "common knowledge" that didn't get passed down to the next generation as thoroughly as it should have been. I also didn't travel much and the only reason I knew there was a hard check-in time was because of here, despite my grandparents traveling all the time. I mean, I never see it mentioned in the commercials for anywhere or if it is, it's easy to miss, So I can kinda see how someone who's never traveled...or never ended up at a hotel prior to the check-in time can miss it.

[dalesys]

But if our ads don't imply they can get away with *anything*, we won't get to fondle their moo-la-lahs!

[wolfie]

Of course, some rewards programs give their Super Elite Asshole status members guaranteed free early checkin and late checkout - with the guaranteed late checkout being AFTER the guaranteed early checkin time the next day. Wonder what happens when the place is booked solid with SEA members on 2 consecutive days.

Then there are wedding parties which expect to have their rooms available early to get ready (ceremony is before checkin time) but are too cheap to guarantee their rooms by booking for the day before (and previous guest is still in the room, so no early checkin possible).

[RealUnimportant]

Any time I've booked a room, the terms have been available & highlighted through repetition so there's no excuse for not knowing.

[gremcint]

I tend to show up early as I want to check my bags and go do stuff in town. So it's "is my room ready? it's cool if not just checking" if yes, sweet drop my stuff of relax for a minute and go get food. if not check my bag(s) and go get lunch. I expect it to be ready at checkin time.

[taxguykarl]

We check in when we arrive....knowing that we're rolling the dice if we arrive before check in time. The last time we did that we completed the paperwork and waited at the hotel bar.

[Pixelated]

I've very rarely used pre-booking either. Used to go visit my grandfather and stayed in a local motel, and I would just show up and (lucky for me) they always had a room.

As for check-in time, if I were to get there a few hours too early I'd be inclined to take a page from gremcint's book: check my bags (if I can) and then go toodle around the area until I can officially check in.

[Becks]

On the off chance that rooms have been reserved for the semi annual trek to NJ and back, we either get there right at check in time, or midnight. (Of course, we try to let them know that we'll be a late check in.)

[April]

we usually get there early. We just ask if the room is ready yet, if not, we go about our business and come back later.

[raw1989]

The last time I stayed somewhere we went in did the paper work asked if the room was ready it was not okay cool they let us check our things and we went into the park for the day they called my cell phone once the room was ready and we went back and checked in when we were ready.

[icmedia]

Just a curious question (because I travel a lot for work and I've always wondered):

What if a guest was traveling all night long and ends up needing a room at, say, 10am or 11am? Do they have to pay for two nights, or else sleep in the lobby/their car until check in time?

[dalesys]

... pay for two nights, or else sleep in the lobby/their car until check in time?

I would expect it to depend...
Sold out previous night?
Housekeeping short-staffed?
How decently you behave.

I'd also try calling in an hour or two before my expected arrival to give them a heads up and ask if there are any weather/traffic delays betwixt me and thee(m).

If I'm cool and accepting of their realities I feel it likely that they will do everything they are able to, to slip me under the wire. If not, well, that's reality.

[HotelMinion]

Just a curious question (because I travel a lot for work and I've always wondered):

What if a guest was traveling all night long and ends up needing a room at, say, 10am or 11am? Do they have to pay for two nights, or else sleep in the lobby/their car until check in time?

It's up to you whether you want to pay extra or wait. Of course if we have none available you'll have to wait. Call ahead, every hotel has different rules. Even if they're the same kind they may have different rules. And ask to speak with a manager, they're supposed to come when called >:/