Originally Posted by
mecabq
Why is it a waste of money? Having a hotel room for a few hours to freshen up or take a nap is a nice idea after a long flight.
Just tell the hotel your arrival time -- no need to lie. Some hotels, especially at the airport, have day rates, hourly rates, late check-ins, etc., so it might be worth asking about these options, as well as a late check-out so your friend gets the room for more than a couple of hours. Otherwise, this is a perfectly normal procedure.
+1 - It's only a waste if you don't really care about the outcome. If you want to be assured of a room, it's a way of being assured.
But, it's worth calling the property (not some toll-free #), to determine if they have a day rate / early check-in rate or somesuch, which might be lower than the full night.
No reason to engage in silly juvenile stuff such as having a relative call to say you've been delayed. The property could care less. You are paying and they will hold the room. Just let them know what you're doing so they don'tthink you aren't showing, cancel the reservation and sell the room.
This is pretty routine stuff and many people do it.