Originally Posted by
craigthemif
I believe it's a general rule of thumb that you have to show up before the hotel's regular check-out time the next morning. But of course you can call the hotel or have HGP put a note on your reservation as well and there shouldn't be any problem.
Ummm, no. There is no such rule.
If you do nothing then the hotel will mark you as a no show and cancel the rest of your reservation. The time at which a hotel does this varies. The closer you get to midnight the more likely it is to be cancelled.
If you do contact the hotel, they may change your reservation accordingly, or at worst simply 'prebook' the first night. The benefit to the latter is that your room will be ready whatever time you arrive at the hotel, prior to the original check in time on day two.
We prebook hotel nights to guarantee check in prior to check in time, especially after a long flight. We also contact the hotel via phone to confirm. Front desk may overlook notes left by Hyatt or a Private Line agent, so we aim to avoid this.