Really Rapid Check-in

[Boomer]

I wish I had a stop watch going tonight when I checked in at the Sheraton Westport Plaza.

I'm sure it took less than 25 seconds.

I walked up to the front desk, said I'd like to check-in, gave my name, was asked "Do you wan't to keep this on your XXXX credit card?"

I replied "yes"

Then the desk clerk says "your preferred guest number is already in", and hands me a room key.

I ask "Do you have any Gold Preferred upgrades available"

Desk Clerk replies "I already upgraded you to club level"

[KenHamer]

I don't want to sound like I'm saying "mine is bigger than yours" but I had a similar situation in the Dallas Sheraton Park Central on Friday night. The hotel was not very full, and I checked in very late, about 2 am. As I was walking towards the counter, the clerk said "Mr. Hamer?" Noticing my surprise, he said "Your the last one tonight." He continued, "Here's your key, we've upgraded you to a suite. We already have your credit card and Preferred Gold number." I was very impressed.

But I was even more impressed that there were no phone charges for local calls, whatsoever. I probably keep staying here, even if I decide to drop Starwood due to the usurious phone charges.

P.S. (Quotes are not verbatim, to close enough.)

[blackfur]

This past weekend, my partner and I stayed at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco for the very first time. Our check-in took a few minutes, but I'm not complaining.

We'd booked a very inexpensive weekend rate ($139) for a no-frills room with no view and a double bed (via Expedia to start collecting bonus Starpoints). The desk clerk mentioned that we'd been upgraded to a room with a queen-sized bed, and asked if we preferred a room in the old wing or the towers. We asked what the difference was, and he brought out a brochure showing some of the rooms, and spent some time with us discussing the options. We asked which he'd prefer. He said that he liked the feel of the "classic" rooms, and we agreed that it would be nice to get the "original" St. Francis experience.

He then asked us to wait a moment while he checked what was available. After about a minute, he said that he was able to give us yet another upgrade to a larger room with a king-sized bed and a partial view of Union Square. It turned out to be a very nice room with loads of space. It would have cost easily 2-3 times what we paid had we booked it originally.

So, we didn't mind at all waiting a few extra minutes in the lobby. (And "Alan" got a good mention in our guest survey. Though I still complained about the phone charges.)

[This message has been edited by blackfur (edited 11-04-1999).]

[Eastbay1K]

Well, Boomer, my check in there was just about as fast. If only it wasn't the most horrendous hotel stay I had this year. In fact, I wrote them in late September and have not even had the courtesy of a reply. Most of my Starwood stays this year (about 25 paid ones) have had extremely rapid checkin.

[Boomer]

Eastbay:

I'm surprised that you had a horrible experience there. I stay at the Sheraton's in Westport quite often and have never had a bad experience.

[PHX1K]

I also experienced an extremely fast checkin this week at the Westin SFO Airport. No waiting, and within what seemed like a few seconds I was on my way with an upgrade and amenity gift box (usually they are in the room, but I'd rather carry it myself than not get one). Great stay overall.

Now if only I could say that for the Westin in Denver (where I stay several times a month and have been for years). They used to be great, but now I wait in line forever, they usually have only 1 person working the whole counter (evenings) and if I check in after 10 I'm lucky if I can find anyone - I usually have to call back to the office or have a service express person go find someone. This particular hotel wasn't this bad before Starwood, but that's another story (don't get me started...)

[pkfloyd7]

Same GREAT experience this week at Westin Cincinnati. Less than a minute to check in, late at night and had already been pre-assigned a very nice room on the 15th floor.
Very positive experience, Hope they keep it up. May be in response to the Hyatt early check in process.

[IsleTraveller]

North of the 49th parallel, we have some hotels that guarantee that you check-in in less than 1 minute, or the room is free.

[TransWorldOne]

I prefer Hilton's automated kiosks. I enjoy hotel stays where I don't need to visit the desk, can make sure my FF# is entered, and pick my desired room type.