arlflyer

So if I'm going to start a new thread, you had better bet that it will be on a random piece of trivia / curiosity. But I've noticed something in the past months and wonder if others encounter it. When I check out of a room using the mobile application, I'll sometimes get a single, solitary ring of the in-room phone about 30 seconds later. No one there if I pick up the receiver, and only one ring. More curiously, I've only encountered it at Doubletrees, not at any other brand. Personally, I like it as a confirmation that I'm checked out, and frankly it's pretty impressive if the systems are in fact integrated that well. But I'm also curious if this is chainwide, systemwide, or random. So, do others run into this, and if so, at what properties?

smmrfld

People actually still check out of a hotel?

arlflyer

I do it for two reasons!

1) It lets housekeeping know that I'm out so they can reset the room. I figure that's a possible early check-in for someone getting off a long flight or whatever. I know I appreciate it when I can get one.
2) It triggers the auto-release of the folio to my email which is usually really quick and, unless I've incurred charges that AM, complete. I can then push it through to my work expense system before I forget.

lougord99

Seems unlikely that housekeeping checks your room any earlier just because you 'checked out'. Housekeeping goes on their route and knocks on the door regardless of whether you have checked out or put a do not disturb sign in the door.

Points Scrounger

I've noticed it as well.

arlflyer

It depends on the property. For a roadside Hampton, yes, the above is true. At large business hotels and higher-end properties they will generally have a more structured system.

bse118

Off-topic but: Huh?

About a 100 nights a year on the road for the last several years, staying in anything from Hamptons to independent hotels to Conrads, and I could count on one hand the number of times housekeeping has knocked on my door when the do-not-disturb sign was on the door.

If that's happening to you regularly...you are staying at some poorly run hotels.

writerguyfl

As someone that spent over a decade working in hotels, I can assure you that arlflyer is correct. Cleaning check-out rooms first is absolutely the priority in order to have them available for check-ins.

And, that strategy is fairly uniform across all brands at all price points. If you happen to read Trip Advisor reviews, you'll see a lot of people complaining that their room wasn't cleaned until late afternoon. That happens because those hotels were following this practice.

Global Adventurer

Yes, I always physically checkout. I want a physical receipt regardless if they email one or not.

kkong42

How do you check out using the app?

I have never seen this option in the Android app.

smithrh

Plus, expense reports. I have to take a picture of a paper receipt for my company's system.

arlflyer

I generally use my work iPhone but the Hilton website for the app seems to imply that the feature is available across both platforms (https://hiltonhonors3.hilton.com/rs/...rs-mobile-app/). Should just be check-out a button on the screen for the stay (the one with tiles like "my stay", "floor plan", etc.) - analogous to where the check-in button is located.

Ah, good times. Been there plenty; fortunately now I have an employer with a more modern system!

corporate-wage-slave

It's more of a USA thing, and I think you have to do OLCI as well, but it is available on the Android (since that's what I use), and I have successfully used it. It shows up only after midnight on the day of departure, as the second or third tile on the reservation's screen, and grays out after the official check-out time even if you have successfully requested a late check out. But it does work well, the email receipt arrives within seconds. Personally I've only used it as I leave the hotel, so I haven't experienced the phantom telephone calls.

Points Scrounger

I don't think you can check out via the app if you have a late checkout.

arlflyer

That is correct. As noted above, the functionality ceases to exist after standard check out time and the app directs you to the desk.