Why are some hotels such a hassle to get a late check-out? Most hotels have check-in at 3:00 pm with check-out by 12 noon the next day. Some hotels may deviate from this schedule but I find it largely depends on hotel management and the large number of rooms assigned to the housekeeping staff.
Two weeks ago, I was staying with my family at a Courtyard by Marriott. Our 4-night stay was part of a state-wide swim competition for my Teenager. She was in a big meet that required morning preliminary swim events each day with finals in the evening. Most final swimmers use the afternoon for quiet rest time and prepare for the evening events. I found this afternoon perfect time for catching-up on emails and my favorite blogs.
Normally, I do not need extra time at check-out, but this stay was different given our full schedule and demands of competitive swimming. The last night I rang the front desk to arrange for a later check-out. Despite being frequent hotel guests and Marriott gold members, I was met with a quick refusal and told the hotel manager would be available in the morning.
Now, I found this quick refusal a little odd. The previous three days, our room was not cleaned until mid-afternoon with one day being as late as 5:15 pm. Since I was on the computer in the afternoon, I had a computer record of logging off my computer when the housekeeping staff arrived. I quickly pulled-up my computer history and jotted down the time I logged off in the afternoon.
In the morning, I approached the front desk to ask about late check-out again. Here is our conversation:
Me (at the front desk): Hi, is the manager in now?
Manager (appears from an office): Hello, can I help you?
Me: Yes, I was hoping for a little later check-out.
Manager: No, we have a full-house, I can’t do anymore than 1pm.
Me: Oh, I little more time will be nice and I don’t think housekeeping will even get to our room until late afternoon. See here is their schedule for cleaning our room the last few days and our housekeeper said she was working late the next day which is today because she had so many room to clean.
Manager (looks at paper and begins clicking on the computer): Fine, how late do you want? 4pm? (Continues clicking.)
Me: Oh, thank you. Actually 2:30 maybe 3pm is plenty of time. Thank you again!
Perfect! If you need a late check-out, try to Housekeeper Schedule Strategy if indeed your room was not ready until late during your stay.
