The hospitality industry is witnessing a significant transformation in its approach to check-in and check-out times, moving away from the traditional 3pm check-in and 12pm checkout model. This shift is driven by a desire to enhance guest experiences and adapt to the evolving needs of travelers.
Leading the charge in this new trend are hotels like The Peninsula, which has introduced “Peninsula Time” across its global chain. This policy allows guests to enjoy check-in times as early as 6am and check-out times as late as 10pm without incurring additional charges. This initiative is designed to reduce friction for guests, especially those dealing with early arrivals or late departures, and is available for those who book directly or through preferred travel partners.
Similarly, The Hoxton, with its boutique hotels in Europe and the United States, offers guests the flexibility to choose their own check-in and checkout times, around the clock, at no extra cost, for bookings made on its website. Introduced in 2020, “Flexy Time” was launched with the aim of maximizing the value of hotel stays and providing full flexibility during a period of significant travel challenges. This policy has since allowed thousands of guests to enjoy complimentary early check-ins and late checkouts, catering to their specific travel needs.
Another innovator in this space is Dorsett Hospitality International, headquartered in Hong Kong, which piloted “26 Hours” in its local hotels before expanding the policy to its properties in Asia and Australia. This unique offering permits guests to check out 26 hours after their check-in time, regardless of the duration of the stay, provided the booking is made directly with the hotel.
The Standard, operating nine hotels in various global destinations, offers “Standard Time” at selected properties, allowing guests to check in and out at times that suit them best. However, this is subject to availability and currently offered in their US and Ibiza locations.
While these new policies have been well-received, operational challenges such as room turnaround and housekeeping logistics have to be managed carefully. Dorsett, for instance, assigns dedicated housekeeping attendants for early duties to prepare rooms for early arriving guests. The Peninsula emphasizes the importance of guests sharing their arrival and departure plans to efficiently manage room inventory.
Some hotel chains, like The Pig in the UK, have slightly altered their check-in times, partly due to additional cleaning protocols related to Covid-19. Despite this, they maintain a degree of flexibility to accommodate early arrivals as needed.
In conclusion, the hotel industry is increasingly recognizing the importance of flexibility in check-in and checkout times, tailoring their services to enhance guest convenience and satisfaction. This trend marks a significant shift from traditional practices and is set to redefine the standard norms of hotel stays, offering a more personalized and stress-free experience for travelers around the world.
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