7 Tips For Checking Into A Hotel After Midnight

By Alice Ross | ACCOMMODATIONS

Mar 25
checking into a hotel after midnight

Maybe you’ve been in this situation before. Or maybe you are planning a trip abroad and are worried about checking into a hotel after midnight. To make this easier for you, I’ve put together these tips to help you in case you need to check into your hotel after midnight on an upcoming trip. 

Hopefully, the advice we share below will convince you that checking into your hotel during the night is not as big a deal as it seems! In fact, it can even save you money. Read on to discover how to do it easily and without messing up your bookings, and follow our recommendations to have a smoother and easier check-in experience.

More...

Tip 1: Communication

In this situation, the first thing you need to do is call ahead. Let the front desk of the hotel know that you are going to be arriving quite late. This will ensure that they won’t give your room to someone else.

Unless you are staying at an extremely old-fashioned establishment, you should have no trouble arriving and checking in at night. Generally speaking, most hotels have staff working 24 hours a day, so there will always be someone to welcome you. While the standard check-in time is between 2-3 pm, don’t let that time window mislead you. You can still check in hassle-free after that time.

calling

Tip 2: Ask For A Discount

I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” In this case, asking for a discount could potentially save you a hefty chunk of change. Your hard-earned vacation money should be spent wisely, so there is no harm in asking the hotel to give you a special rate.

Technically, you will be using the room for a shorter time, so checking into a hotel after midnight could entitle you to a discount of some sort. Larger hotel chains might not always be sympathetic, but smaller, boutique hotels have been known to do this from time to time. It certainly won’t hurt to ask. Just try to do it when other guests are out of earshot.

Tip 3: Make Sure You Have All Your Documents Ready

passport

I’ve made this mistake before. I showed up at a hotel without my passport. Luckily, the sympathetic concierge let it slide and I was able to check in, but don’t count on the same treatment everywhere. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a strange city, unable to check into any hotel in the middle of the night. 

If you don’t have a passport, your driver’s license will often suffice. Be sure to also have your credit card on hand. Another great thing to do is to take pictures of your passport/ID and to save them on your phone. This alone has gotten me out of a few sticky situations.  

Tip 4: Be Polite

I know you’re tired, I know it’s late, but chances are the people manning the front desk when you're checking into a hotel after midnight are tired too. Not only that, but they have the power to upgrade your stay, or to make it even worse.

If there is a problem with your reservation, don’t lose your head. Instead, ask questions like “Do I need to speak to a manager about this?” or “Do I need to speak to housekeeping about this?”. The front desk usually has the power to solve your problems, but if you rub them the wrong way, they may be less inclined to make your stay pleasant.

Tip 5: Tipping Can Work Wonders

checking into a hotel after midnight tipping can help

Experts assure me that tipping at check-in will not only make the process go smoother, but could also earn you a nice upgrade. This is especially true when you check into your hotel at night, when you might want to thank the staff on duty for attending you so late. 

Maybe it will get you a bigger room, extra services, a free minibar, or a late checkout. Whatever it is, greasing the wheels with a little cash could just make the difference between a good stay and an excellent one.

How much should you tip? Anywhere from $5-20 should do the trick, depending on your budget. If you feel awkward about it, remember that tipping is an act of kindness, so don’t feel bad about your generosity.

Tip 6: Greet Employees By Name

Greeting the employees by name when checking into a hotel after midnight can work in your favor for two main reasons. It shows that not only do you respect the staff enough to use their names, but that you are also worthy of respect.

Using someone’s name means they are more likely to listen to you, especially if you have a complaint. The old adage “Give respect to get respect” very much holds true here.

Tip 7: Ask For A Corner Room

ask for a corner room when checking into a hotel after midnight

Corner rooms are usually a bit larger, and you may be able to get one if you are checking in late. Handicapped rooms are also an option. I’m not advocating fraud, but if there is one available, it won’t be used and you will benefit from the extra space.


As you can see, checking into a hotel after midnight is quite easily done, especially if you follow these tips. As I mentioned before, they could save you money and make your stay more enjoyable.

I really hope that you find this information useful in your travels. I know I have! It’s amazing what you can do with a smile and a few questions.

Be sure to share and leave a comment about your experiences. As always, be safe and happy travels!  

Rating: 4.1 (30 votes)

Follow

About the Author

Hi, I’m Alice Ross, a long-term traveler who left the corporate world to travel the world. I chose to live life on my own phase and live day by day while immersing myself in new experiences, new knowledge, and new people in a different walk of life I met along the way.

Leave a Comment:

Leave a Comment: