Originally Posted by Koru Flyer

I have found this much easier if you contact the hotel beforehand, and simply ask to have your wife's name on the reservation - usually I say something like as she will be arriving before me, or something like that - not that I need to, just that people are more helpful when you have a reason. Then at checkin you can simply say that you want the bill in her name, as it is listed is just easier, as she is listed in the booking.