"Sorry sir, check-in is from 3pm"

[Mattg]

I'm currently sitting in a hotel lobby and it's 10am here. This guy just arrived to check in, and got really angry when the staff told him that he couldn't check in yet because it's too early. The check-in time here is 3pm.

He's arguing that they should find a clean room for him right now and when the receptionist told him that all the rooms still need to be cleaned, he demanded to speak to the owner. It's not a fancy hotel and he has no status or anything here. The receptionist was still polite the whole time and offered to store his luggage etc. but he still wasn't happy.

I've never seen anything quite like this. Have you?

 

[Anna]

No, but I don't see why he has to wait until 100% of the rooms are clean at 3pm.

 

[drron]

Oh yes in LOTFAP. USA for those new members. Though the fellow thought he had won when he was told the GM would speak to him. Unfortunately the GM told him that he had canceled his reservation and he was no longer welcome at the hotel.

 

[Hvr]

I've never seen anything quite like this. Have you?

Yes, just last week at the Pattaya HIX. A man was checking in and I heard him being politely welcomed. He was asked if he was an IHG member, no, nor did he want to join. He then proceeded to demand the very best room, high floor, away from the elevator etc. He was expecting someone to carry his bags etc.

He was quietly advised that the hotel was full and that the room location he wanted was already full, he was also advised that other people who were members of the IHG program were given preference for these rooms. His final demand was for a room on the 9th floor. I did see a smile on the face of the check in person when he advised the man that there were no rooms on that floor, it was where the pool was located.

He was then told his room wasn't going to be changed and he begrudgingly accepted this, and checked in.

I was next and being a Gold IHG member was thanked and welcomed, I had been allocated a very quiet room on the 5th floor. Check in took maybe 90 seconds.

The HIX hotels all have the same room style in each location and are cheap and clean. All I want. I got a room on the quiet side, so perfect for me. All done quietly and politely without a fuss.

 

[Mattg]

No, but I don't see why he has to wait until 100% of the rooms are clean at 3pm.

If he had've asked nicely, I suspect the receptionist may have tried to see if a room might be available sooner. But this guy was borderline abusive towards him.

(At 10am the cleaners hadn't even arrived yet as the checkout time here is 11am. It's just a small hotel and was fully booked last night, so definitely no possibility to check in at 10am anyway.)

Oh yes in LOTFAP. USA for those new members. Though the fellow thought he had won when he was told the GM would speak to him. Unfortunately the GM told him that he had canceled his reservation and he was no longer welcome at the hotel.

I had a quiet word with the receptionist and mentioned that I'd vouch for him if the guy complained and tried to get him into trouble. The receptionist was very polite and kept his cool.

I did suggest though that they might consider doing the same thing if he keeps this up...

 

[burmans]

I've never seen anything quite like this. Have you?

Unfortunately yes, and while I generally hate generalisations a couple of nationalities stand out, probably no one would be surprised to hear which they are.

 

[Quickstatus]

People being difficult to say the least.
Easy enough to leave luggage with the hotel then come back later. Lots to do in the meantime.

 

[JohnK]

Person was being a tosser.

I've had lots of success arriving early and being allowed to check-in early. I don't demand it but if it's offered I take it.

There have also been times where I've asked to check-in early if there's availability and they quote me some rip-off early check-in fee. No thanks, I shall wait.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I've never seen anything quite like this. Have you?

Many times!

 

[oz_mark]

Did he have a giraffe?

 

[levelnine]

Did he have a giraffe?

Was just about to post the exact same video. It's a meme for a reason.

 

[Anna]

At 10am the cleaners hadn't even arrived yet as the checkout time here is 11am

OT and not having a go at you Matt but that doesn't make any sense to me either! None of the rooms get cleaned until 100% of the guests have checked out? That's just bonkers! Especially for a hotel that was full the previous night.

I totally get that being abusive is not on, or even borderline abusive. I just suspect that someone who desperately wants to get into a room at 10am is likely someone who just got off a redeye, maybe even long haul, and is tired and just wants to lie down to recharge for a couple of hours. I can empathise with that feeling. 4-5 hours feels like an eternity when you're wandering around in clothes you've had on for a day or more, which might not even be seasonally appropriate for the place you've arrived at, and all you want is a shower and a nap.

 

[burmans]

OT and not having a go at you Matt but that doesn't make any sense to me either! None of the rooms get cleaned until 100% of the guests have checked out? That's just bonkers! Especially for a hotel that was full the previous night.

I totally get that being abusive is not on, or even borderline abusive. I just suspect that someone who desperately wants to get into a room at 10am is likely someone who just got off a redeye, maybe even long haul, and is tired and just wants to lie down to recharge for a couple of hours. I can empathise with that feeling. 4-5 hours feels like an eternity when you're wandering around in clothes you've had on for a day or more, which might not even be seasonally appropriate for the place you've arrived at, and all you want is a shower and a nap.

Agree that hotels should be able to stagger cleaning and for me it's a bit ridiculous for no-one to be able to check-in until 3pm. There are plenty of example of hotels which manage to turnaround cleaning way faster than this.

But on the getting off an early flight with a late check-in and not being able to check-in until later, well we've all been there and most have the intelligence to pack a change of clothes because we know this will be a problem. Shower and nap more difficult but the OP is not special in this regards and shouldn't be expected to be treated as such.

 

[Denali]

Im sure check-ins use to be 1pm, now 3. Which is annoying because you want to rest, shower and head out again or youve just flown long haul and need to rest. But Ive never chucked a hissy if my polite request for an early checkin isnt possible. Sometimes I park myself in the lobby and rest (jet lagged) or go for a small walk to find a park to get some sunlight and air. Once, knowing we were arriving at 6am, I had day spa's booked for massages/rest/showers before checkins - hubby fell asleep on the table.

 

[Pushka]

Unfortunately yes, and while I generally hate generalisations a couple of nationalities stand out, probably no one would be surprised to hear which they are.

I’ve been on a cruise ship that was marketed in Russia. There were punch ups about pool chairs and dining tables. The Brits Aussies and NZers v’s Russia. Hmmm

 

[drron]

Of course none of us know the full story behind this particular incident. Most hotels do try and get you an early check in though a few want to charge extra for it. Though in those cases it is usually shown in the booking process.

Then with the chain hotels they have their loyalty program which can allow early check in and late check out. I have benefited from those policies. I have been told though when checking in even after 1500 that the suite allocated to me was not available due to another elite using a late check out. Usually offered a standard room immediately or wait for the suite.

But if you have booked through a cheap online agency you basically can’t expect early check in.

 

[mrsterryn]

Have to say one early check in we received in Tokyo was amazing.
Our flight from Sydney arrived at 5am and we were at the hotel by about 7
My daughter in law was about five months pregnant for this trip
Husband and I went up to ask if the hotel would store our bags and we were going to see what was available to go visit.
Receptionist advised both rooms had been upgraded to suites and we were welcome to check in then !!!
No extra charge .
It was quite an expensive hotel from memory however being upgraded to a one bedroom suite was lovely in itself. However both husband and my room and our son's and daughter-in-law room as well was incredible.
Mind you that was the trip son and daughter in law somehow had a upgrade from economy to business on the flight.
It was a great trip all round

 

[Quickstatus]

Obviously this thread calls for best early checkin experience as well.

My best early check in was a 0530 am checkin in KL after coming in on the 140.

I was only staying one night as well.

Room was available. No status.
And I didn’t book for night before
One World Hotel
Always. Book. Direct. With. Hotel.
Book. The. Night. Before. To. Guarantee. Early. Checkin

 

[bam71]

We always prebook/pay the night prior if we are arriving in the morning. Nothing worse than just wanting a shower when you disembark and needing to wait until the afternoon to check in.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Im sure check-ins use to be 1pm, now 3.

And check out is getting earlier! I saw an ad for a luxury hotel package in Australia offering a ‘super late checkout of 11am so you can enjoy the morning’.

Like checkout always used to be midday! WTH?