Eat Your Colors - June / July 2024

Checking-Out?

Check Out these Tips for a Better Check-out Experience

Checking-in or out of hotels & resorts can be stressful. Maybe you got up late, skipped breakfast and the gym and are now trying to pack before your driver pick up time. You rush downstairs only to find a line longer that that new Star Wars movie.

You wait your turn but your stress levels start building up. There’s that guest or two at the desk, way in front, trying now to figure out their hotel charges. There may be those loud-mouth complainers all around you (why do they do that?) or the ride-share driver may just look at your place in line, throws his or her hands up and just leave. Now you’ve reached level 10 on the stress-meter. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

Hotels and resorts have a few ways to expedite your check-out service- so there’s no need to stress. Plus, I’ll share with you some tips and practices that I do for a smoother check out.

A lot of hotels in the US have a key card drop box, where you can slip your room card-keys. They have your credit card on file that they can charge for your stay. They’ll charge all your little extras (that you probably forgot about) and since they have your email address, they can just electronically send you the final bill. This is a great option for those in a hurry and do not want to wait in lines to check-out.

Most hotels today can display your itemized bill (daily) on the flat-screen TVs provided in your room. You can see your expenses and you can dispute any charges if you need to before you check-out. I like to take screenshots with my phone so that I can contest anything later if needed. You may also check-out right from the screen too, but some hotels may have different rules, so ask about that during your stay. You don’t want to have any surprises or delays before you board a flight home.

Your more technologically advanced hotels, have digital check-in/ out for an expedited and contactless process. The apps that you can download are amazing. You may even use your mobile device as your digital key to the room. Some used QR codes or some other scanning procedure right from your phone. This contactless service became a popular option during the Pandemic. Since it worked so well for hoteliers and guests, they kept it. And they expanded the service to include digital area maps, booking hotel activities, restaurant reservations as well as front desk messaging.

At these digi’tels (that’s what I call them), Guests can skip the check-in line and go straight to their room upon arrival. As soon as your room is available, you’ll get a notification on the app as “READY” or “Available” and you can check right in- most times it’ll be “early.” Guests can also digitally checkout. If you desire a late check-out, just tap a button. Some will grant you a late check-out up to 2 hours with no fee.

The electronic maps are good too, not only for locating the restaurants, bars and gyms your hotel may offer, but good to see what’s available in the neighborhood too. You can make reservations and book day trips and activities. The smart hotel I stayed at allowed me to control the thermostat, order room service, schedule a spa treatment and even tip Housekeepingright on the app!

Other perks may include hotel credits (just for using their app) for discounts on meals or free cocktail(s) and wifi service. The digi’tel (should I patent that? jajaja!) that I was in, did not have a fitness room but there were free day-passes built right in the app for the local gym.

When you are ready to check-out, tap a button or two and just leave your hotel key in the room as you exit. Easy.

My Personal Best Practice(s) Before Checking-Out…

I have checking-out down to a science, well this is what works for me. Maybe it’ll work for you too. I’m sure you can incorporate some, if not all, of these best practices into your next “check-out” routine.

When Henry and I go away together, we like to pack the night before we leave the resort. We come back to the room after an early dinner, make a cocktail, put on some music and start packing. It’s actually a good time, so much so that I do it when I fly solo too. Just be sure to leave out your work-out clothes in case you are hitting the gym before your pick-up time. Remember to empty-out that in-room safe in the morning before you go. This way, you wake up, shower, pack a couple things more and get ready to go check-out.

Henry also likes to order breakfast early from room-service, if we’re not working-out on the day before we leave. Then we’ll start packing right after we finish eating. Again- put on some music and start packing and get ready to go check-out. We give ourselves at least an hour to pack.

Settle your bill the night before if you can. Many hotels offer express checkout options, where you can settle your bill and receive your receipt via email. But be careful- some room keys may not work after you have checked out. Some do not work on the day of check-out as well- don’t lock yourself out of the room before you’re ready.

When you’re sure you’re all packed and all-set, go check out, use mobile checkout if available, use the express checkout desk and/or consider using a digital wallet. Some hotels accept digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, which can streamline the checkout process.