Originally Posted by
Visconti
RE: Late checkout
Abroad, it's a little more nuanced. Unlike in the States, I'd actually give the hotel the courtesy (or, face in the case of SE Asia) of requesting it. Almost every time, their reply is "of course," since it's a well-known Globalist benefit. However, on one occasion, a property very politely asked that though I'm entitled to the late checkout, if I'd consider checking out a little earlier where they'll hold my bags and offer me some comped food/drinks. I agreed and all was well. The next time I returned, I think I had gotten better treatment and the best room upgrade I have ever had in all my years of travel.
Since I don't expect whatsoever any sort of gesture or goodwill with American Hyatts, I would insist on the 4 pm, if I needed it. Heck, I'd even stand in the FD and call my Concierge in front of them, if I had to. As I said earlier on this thread, in the States after the pandemic, I'm going full New Yorker on domestic Hyatts.
Originally Posted by
Bretmd
If the HR Cape Town had worded it this way I would have readily agreed.
Instead, they responded in a rude and unprofessional manner to my request, so I decided to respond to them accordingly.
I actually encountered a situation where I was not technically “entitled” to the 4pm checkout, however we requested and it was promised and marked as guaranteed on our reservation at check in. It was low/slow season so we also got a good suite upgrade at check in.
This was at Hyatt Centric Park City where I believe all of the suites are owned by people and those people allow the hotel to rent them out.
Well on the morning of checkout we were contacted by the front desk around 8am. We were told that they needed the suite by noon as a realtor was coming to do a showing at 1pm. That was just horrible luck, and we hadn’t eaten and had things everywhere being we had stayed 5 days. Given that the staff had always been very nice and we’d always received a good upgrade if available we said we’d accommodate their request and there was no need to put us in another room we would check out at noon to help them out.
Their continued niceness and hospitality on every visit and throughout every visit is what helped us to accommodate their request, despite being promised the suite until 4pm. I’m sure it probably gave us a positive note in their internal file too for us.