Quiet hours
Roughly 10 PM to 7 AM. Corridors carry sound much further than the room suggests, so late calls belong down in the lobby.
01
Getting in
Arrival
Reception is staffed all day; the rooms are not ready all day. The 2:00 to 3:00 PM window simply marks the point at which housekeeping has finished turning over the last room in your type. Bring a photo ID matching the reservation, the confirmation, and a card the desk can take an incidental hold against.
Arriving early carries no penalty at all. If nothing is free yet, leave the bags at reception and come back later — storage costs nothing and is offered as standard almost everywhere.
Have ready at the desk
- Government photo identification
- Booking reference or its email
- A card that accepts a hold
- Any request you made, in writing
02
Getting out
Departure
Rooms are normally due back at 11:00 AM or noon. An extra hour or two is often given free when the hotel is not full, and the timing of the request decides the answer: ask the evening before, once tomorrow's occupancy is already known, rather than in the middle of the morning.
Handing the key back does not mean carrying luggage around all day. Storage restarts immediately, so an evening flight and a midday deadline are not in conflict.
Before you hand the key back
- Check the safe and the bathroom hook
- Read the bill line by line
- Return every key card issued
- Ask when the card hold is released
03
What it costs to ignore
House policies
No smoking
The most expensive rule to break. Smoking or vaping in a non-smoking room triggers a flat deep-cleaning charge, applied without discussion.
Occupancy
Every room states a maximum. One extra guest is usually fine for a supplement, provided it is declared at booking rather than at the desk.
Pets
Allowed only where the property says so, normally on set floors and for a nightly fee. Confirm the position before you travel.
Safety
Read the evacuation card on the door once, keep corridors clear of luggage, and never hang anything from a smoke detector.
Extras
Minibar, parking, dining and laundry post to the room and settle at departure instead of at the moment of use.
04
Reading the listing
Room types
Single
One bed · one guestOne single bed and the smallest footprint on the floor. Efficient for one traveller and one night.
Double
One bed · two guestsOne larger shared bed. The most heavily stocked type, so the easiest to secure at short notice.
Twin
Two beds · two guestsTwo separate single beds, often listed under the same heading as a double. Confirm which you hold.
Deluxe
Upgraded · two guestsMore space, a higher floor or a better view. The label covers all three, so ask which one applies.
Suite
Two rooms · two guestsA bedroom plus a separate living area, worth the premium when the room has to work as an office.
Family
Flexible · three to fiveConfigured for three to five guests. Establish whether the extra sleeper is a real bed or a fold-out.
05
Before you pay
Reserving well
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Compare the total, not the rate Taxes, city levies, resort fees and parking can lift a final figure by a fifth.
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Record the cancellation cut-off Note the exact date, hour and time zone at which free cancellation ends.
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Confirm the bed configuration Twin and double often share a listing, so get the answer in an email.
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Price the hotel's own site Direct rates frequently come out lower and are far easier to amend later.
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Attach requests to the booking High floor, quiet side, a cot, an accessible bathroom, a very late arrival.
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Keep the confirmation offline One screenshot of the reference and address survives a dead signal.
06
Answers
Asked at the desk daily
Can I get in ahead of the stated time?
Only if a cleaned room in your type is already standing empty, which makes it a courtesy rather than a guarantee. Flag it when booking and check again on the morning of arrival.
Will reception ask for identification?
In almost every case. A government photo ID is matched against the name on the reservation before a key is issued.
What is the held amount on my card?
An authorisation, not a payment. It covers possible extras such as parking or room service and is released after departure, though banks can take a few days.
Does staying later cost extra?
An hour or two is often free, especially midweek. Beyond that a fee usually applies, though luggage storage after departure stays free regardless.