fully agree with your 2 suggestions. I would add that all benefits like upgrade, early check-in/late checkout should be guaranteed and not upon availability, if the weather is good, if Venus, Neptun and Saturn were aligned the night before, etc
And for early check-in/late checkout, some times should be guaranteed like 8 am for early and 6 pm for late.

8 am means a free room before the cleaning staff starts their day, same for 6 pm which is after housekeeping left. This is effectively asking for a free night. I think this is a bit unrealistic and would propose 10 AM to 4 PM.

4pm guaranteed is certainly not enough for Diamond. That’s what it should be for Platinum. 6 pm is a strict minimum for Diamond IMO. For early check-in, I hear your argument and you have for sure a valid point here.

I know it already happens in Raffles (Jakarta/Siem Reap but not Phnom Penh for me).

I was thinking for other brands.

i only tried one Fairmont (Jakarta). Just three check ins but nothing at night.

Received nice chocolates at one Pullman recently in Phuket at night, but only one night of a 3 night Stay.

Cannot remember anywhere else. Maybe there was somewhere but I can’t remember. Maybe Sofitel in Phnom Penh. Vague memory. Definitely not Sofitel in KL. Certainly not at Banyan Tree KL for 3 check ins and even Welcome fruit was quite poor.

Anyway, when I made the suggestion I was remembering Raffles (and St Regis/MO) but thinking of all other brands. I said nothing fancy but was not thinking at all about a plate of Apples unless maybe economy brand.

Understand your early check in/housekeeping issue.

Just some vague anecdotal memories:

I remember Keraton Jakarta (Luxury Collection) during Starwood days used to advertise on their website that check in was available from 7 am and not on a Your24 basis where the guest must be out 24 hours later. Late check out was also available. It was a very popular hotel.

But this was a standard set by this particular hotel. They blocked rooms. It was not a brand standard for Luxury Collection.

I don’t read the Marriott board much anymore but am pretty sure there were reports about this hotel going down hill over the last 2 years or so. I have no first hand experience.

Dont know how many Diamonds there will be but perhaps blocking rooms could be possible at certain brands depending on occupancy and if Loyalty focussed.

Or at least some sort of priority service to get guests checked in very early when possible.

I definitely remember calling regular Starwood hotels as Ambassador from 7 am in certain circumstances, and waiting in the Club Lounge while rooms were rushed if not already available. Even remember not asking for early check ins and still receiving notifications at 7 am saying rooms/Suites were available after those App notifications began (Marriott time). This included Premium brands (especially where I was regular), and one Aloft that had a cleaning team over night to keep rooms available early after midnight check outs for airport or whatever. Excellent GM at that time.

With Accor, I can remember two small Mercures notifying me at 9 am without any request from me. Other Accor brands in Jakarta and Thailand happy to provide an early check in time the night before once occupancy settled. Priority basis, not guaranteed.

A few Accor hotels have certainly blocked rooms several days ahead without me asking for anything at all and emailed me a time for morning check in .... Luxury brands ... Raffles and something else. One Pullman in KL seems to have a 7 am proactive service where the Lounge staff will call at 7 am based on check ins this year .... not guaranteed but priority service based on availability.

Maybe such service falls under the category of Personalised Service listed on the new ALL Award Chart.

Only my second year with Accor so not a lot of experience but my guess is that well managed, Loyalty focussed hotels would not have a big problem proactively helping with advanced notice of early check in at 7 or 8 am if low occupancy and guest not needing Suite whether Diamond or regular Stay Platinum. Some though seem to always say 11 am no matter what. Seems like particular hotel standard.

Certainly any subject to availability type situation allows hotels to do what they want.

Deleted mistaken double post

Daily welcome drinks for hotels with no lounge + unrestricted welcome drinks menu

8am early check in and 6pm late checkout when available
or alternatively
10 am early check in and 4pm late check out guaranteed

that should be good benefit for diamond and above.

Bonvoy do give guaranteed 4pm checkout for non resort property for their platinum and above (50nights stayer)

We need guaranteed benefits with Diamond IMO. This is plainly justified knowing the spending required. Otherwise, we know enough how a significant number of Accor hotels manage loyalty : if it is “if available”, they will find any excuse to not provide it.