Hotel Check-In & Check-Out: Everything Hotel Owners Need To Know

It’s a hectic Friday afternoon, and your lobby is full of visitors waiting to check in while others wait in line to check out. The phones are constantly ringing with guests asking for early check-in time or late check-out. 

At the same time, the housekeeping team is rushing to get the rooms ready, and your front desk staff is handling multiple tasks at once. Sounds familiar?

For hotel owners, sticking to rigid time slots can sometimes feel like a challenge. Guests arrive at all times, and the pressure to accommodate their specific needs can lead to operational challenges. But when managed correctly, flexibility can drive revenue, increase guest satisfaction, and streamline operations.

In this article, we’ll see how vital hotel check-in and hotel check-out are to the overall guest experience. We’ll also learn how to handle guest requests effectively and how technology can optimize these processes.

 

Why do hotels have standard check-in & check-out times?

Hotels have standard check-in and check-out times, mainly for operational reasons. Check-in usually falls between 2 and 3 PM, while check-out is typically between 11 AM and 12 PM. But why?

Housekeeping depends on set check-in and check-out times to clean and prepare rooms for new guests. These times also help staff plan their shifts and manage their tasks. Without clear times, overlapping guest stays can cause delays and make hotel operations less efficient. But guest expectations are changing. A 2024 study by Booking.com found that 23% of travelers worldwide prefer the option to check out later and are willing to pay more for it, which helps improve guest experience and satisfaction.

Guests today often expect more flexibility, so some hotels are adjusting their policies to meet these needs while balancing operational efficiency.

 

How early check-ins and late check-outs affect your hotel

Guests love flexibility, and one of the most common requests is for early check-ins and late check-outs. But how should hotel owners manage these requests? How do they affect operational efficiency and revenue?

 

1. Early check-in (Before standard time)

Guests often arrive earlier than the usual check-in time, especially if they’re traveling from other cities or countries. This can be tricky for hotel owners to manage. Should you allow early check-ins, and if so, how do you handle it?

• Charge a fee for early check-in: One way to manage this is by charging guests who want to check in earlier than usual. This provides extra income and ensures your rooms are ready. Many hotels offer this service for guests willing to pay a bit more for convenience
• Prioritize VIPs or loyalty members: You can offer early check-ins for free or at a discount to VIPs or loyal customers. Since these guests are important to your business, meeting their needs can boost their satisfaction and loyalty
• Offer day-use rooms: If available, consider offering day-use rooms for guests who need to rest or freshen up before the regular check-in time without paying for a full night’s stay

2. Late check-out (After standard time)

Guests often request late check-out for reasons like having a late flight or wanting more time before leaving. Here’s how you can manage it:

• Offer free late check-out for one hour: A simple way to accommodate guests is by offering a one-hour extension on their check-out time. This gives them a little extra time without affecting room availability
• Charge a fee for late check-out beyond the hour: After the first free hour, hotels can charge a fee for late check-out. The fee could depend on how much longer the guest stays, with a higher fee for late check-outs after 2 or 4 PM
• Bundle late check-out with other services: Some hotels use late check-out as a bonus in bundled packages. For instance, you can offer a late check-out as part of a spa, dining, or room upgrade package, increasing revenue while still satisfying your guests
• Adjust housekeeping schedules: Smart scheduling is essential for handling late check-outs without compromising cleanliness. By using technology, you can adjust housekeeping schedules in real-time to ensure the rooms are ready as soon as guests check out

Self-check-in & contactless check-out: A game-changer for hotels

 

 

As guests become more tech-savvy, hotels are integrating more self-service options to meet demand. Self-check-in and contactless check-out options are becoming increasingly popular. Using a roomMaster Property Management System (PMS) and the roomMaster Guest App can make all these processes even easier. 

Here’s how:

1. Mobile check-in

Mobile check-in allows guests to skip the front desk and go straight to their rooms. Through the roomMaster Guest App, guests can check in remotely, receive a digital room key, and access their room using their smartphones. This speeds up the check-in process, making it more efficient for both guests and hotel staff. 

By customizing the app to match your hotel’s brand, you can deliver a seamless experience from booking to check-in, providing a convenient, personalized touch for every guest.

2. Keyless entry

With mobile apps offering digital access, keyless entry eliminates the need for traditional room keys. This reduces the risk of lost or stolen keys and enhances guest convenience. 

Guests can head directly to their rooms without stopping at the front desk. You can still personalize their stays by meeting guests’ demand for convenience and speed through contactless services. The secure app ensures that only validated guests can unlock their doors, all with just their smartphones.

3. Express check-out

Express check-out is an easy way to simplify the departure process. Automated billing and payment processing allow guests to check out quickly, without the need to visit the front desk. This feature is especially valuable for guests with early flights or tight schedules.

This way, you can increase guest loyalty and return rates, improve operational efficiency, and free up more time for personalized guest service. Additionally, upselling contactless experiences can boost your revenue per available room (RevPAR) and help your hotel stand out with smooth, frictionless processes.

 

How to handle overstays and no-shows without losing revenue

 

Overstays and no-shows can cause problems for hotel owners, affecting bookings and revenue. But there are ways to handle them smoothly:

• For overstays, you can charge a late fee or offer to extend the guest’s stay at a higher rate, ensuring you’re compensated for the extra time
• Having a clear cancellation policy helps with no-shows. Charging a fee or penalty for no-shows can help recover lost income and encourage guests to follow through with their reservations
• To handle walk-ins and reservations, keep some buffer rooms available for last-minute guests without disrupting other bookings

With the roomMaster PMS, you can quickly check room availability and adjust as needed. It helps you manage overstays, no-shows, and last-minute bookings efficiently. Plus, automated pre-arrival messages and updates during the stay help keep guests informed and satisfied, boosting your revenue.

 

Optimizing check-in & check-out for revenue growth

If you optimize your hotel check-in and check-out times, it can drive revenue growth for your hotel in several ways. 

To begin with, you can offer early check-ins and late check-outs for a premium, making guests feel valued while increasing your income. These flexible options also work well as part of VIP packages, allowing you to upsell additional services. Real-time tracking lets you adjust availability and optimize occupancy so you never miss an opportunity to fill a room.

If you can do it all with one platform, or at least make sure your systems integrate seamlessly, it makes operations at your property run much more smoothly. roomMaster by innQuest is an all-in-one hotel management solution that helps property managers streamline the hotel check-in and hotel check-out process.

roomMaster allows you to send pre-stay emails, giving guests all the necessary information before arrival. When guests check-in, the system pulls up their details, allowing them to complete the process quickly, improving efficiency and guest satisfaction.

Ready to optimize your hotel operations? Learn how roomMaster can boost your revenue today.

 

FAQs

What time is check-in at hotels?

The typical check-in time for hotels is between 2 PM and 3 PM. However, some hotels may allow earlier check-ins depending on availability or the guest’s preferences.

What are check-in times for hotels, and do they vary by location?

Check-in times can vary slightly depending on the location, hotel brand, and type of guest. While most hotels follow the 2- to 3 PM time frame, certain hotels may offer flexibility for VIPs or loyalty members.

How early can you check in for a hotel without extra charges?

If you arrive before the standard check-in time, most hotels may charge an additional fee unless the room is already available. Some hotels may offer free early check-in for loyalty members or higher-tier guests.

What time is check-out at hotels, and can guests request a late check-out?

Check-out time is typically 11 AM to 12 PM. Guests can request a late check-out, but this is often subject to availability. Many hotels offer late check-outs for an additional fee or as part of a package.

What is hotel check-in and check-out time, and why does it matter for operations?

Hotel check-in typically happens between 2 PM and 3 PM, while check-out is between 11 AM and 12 PM. These times ensure room turnover, housekeeping efficiency, and proper staff scheduling.

What time are hotel check-ins typically, and can they be flexible?

Hotel check-ins are typically between 2 PM and 3 PM. Some flexibility is offered for early check-ins, usually for a fee or for VIP guests, depending on room availability.

What time is hotel check-out, and how can hotels streamline the process?

Hotel check-out is generally between 11 AM and 12 PM. Hotels can streamline it with express check-out options, mobile check-ins, and pre-departure notifications to minimize guest wait times.

What happens if a guest misses their hotel check-in time?

If a guest misses check-in time, hotels may allow late arrivals with notice. A no-show could incur a fee if the guest hasn’t informed the hotel of the delay.

How can hotels use a PMS to manage check-in and check-out efficiently?

A Property Management System (PMS) allows hotels to automate and optimize the check-in/check-out process. It enhances operational efficiency by tracking room availability in real time, automating billing, and streamlining communication with guests.

What is the best way to handle early arrivals and late departures?

Offering flexibility through premium services like early check-in and late check-out can boost guest satisfaction and revenue. Charging a fee for early arrivals and late departures is a good strategy to manage these requests.