European Hotel check-in times

[rprasad]

United has some relatively decent deals for an open jaw flight to Munich, returning via London for the dates I'm traveling. The only problem is that the arrival time is 5:50 am. Clearly, since check-in time is usually around 3 pm, I'd have to reserve the room for the previous day. The question is, would they allow a check-in in the wee hours of the morning? I will of course call around to see, but with some hotels being booked on Priceline, etc, I don't know what the usual practice is.

A slightly improved alternative has me arriving at around 11:00 am. I'd probably get out of the airport and to the hotel by 1pm. I wonder if any hotels would allow a two hour earlier check in. That does not seem unreasonable.

[CarSwami]

The only way to absolutely guarantee that you can check in as soon as you arrive at the hotel is to book an extra night (and inform the hotel that you will be coming in the next morning). But my experience is that hotels are generally quite flexible about allowing early check in, provided that a room is available. Your chances of getting into the room early increases if you belong to the hotel's frequent guest program. On two separate occasions since the beginning of this year, I have been able to check into a room early in the morning, once in Brussels and once in London.

When I did ED last year, my family and I got to the Munich North Marriott around 10:00 AM and we were able to check into the hotel immediately. I had made the reservation using Priceline.

[am_ver]

depends on the hotel. The chain (marriott/hilton/sheraton) are usually accomodating if they have a room available (remember to smile during checkin) early.

[slubu]

Worst case scenario leave your luggage there and go get a 6am weisbeir to hold you over? ;)

[Mace14]

Worst case scenario leave your luggage there and go get a 6am weisbeir to hold you over? ;)

Remember, 6am DE time is Midnight EST so you're not reallllyyy drinking beer for breakfast.

[rprasad]

Worst case scenario leave your luggage there and go get a 6am weisbeir to hold you over? ;)

I actually considered that :) I suppose they would be more accommodating with storing the luggage somewhere for a few hours than a whole entire room :)