Checking in at 8am (Bangkok)
 

Hi all,

I will be traveling to Bangkok in December and I will be landing at 6.30 am. I have not yet decided where to stay but I was thinking to book a suite at the Marriott Sukhumvit. Initially I was thinking of booking the room since the previous night but reading the forum I noted that: 1) sometimes there are issues when checking in well after midnight (being counted as a no-show) and 2) in general, at least in Bangkok, hotels are very good at honoring early check-in requests. Were it not for potential no-show issues I would rather not risk it. What would you advise? just contact the hotel and explain the situation?

By the way, the largest bookable room in the period I am interested in is a one-bedroom suite. We are 3 adults, so maybe that is enough. But I would not mind a 2 bedroom suite (perhaps as an upgrade :-) ). I am Bonvoy Platinum, and I might get to Titanium by the end of the year. Thoughts?

Yes, now and also the day before to confirm things.

if you message the hotel through the app or otherwise you are arriving at 8 a.m. and not to mark you as a no-show ... that should be o.k., I have done it many times. Would not count on getting a room at 8 a.m. for a reservation starting the same day

The Bangkok properties will give you a room if they have an open one. But you can't be sure they'll have one for you unless you book the night before. Being marked no-show is not an issue if you've contacted the property in advance. That's only at properties that provide poor service. It's not gonna happen in Bangkok.

Message the hotel through the APP? That is funny.......you have about a 50/50 chance of receiving any communication whatsoever! Unless I have just been unlucky!

Cal the hotel, period.

I've found hotels in Bangkok very lenient about early check ins and have never been refused unles the hotel is full. December is high season though so the hotel might indeed be full, especially towards the end of the month as the weeks around christmas and new years are generally among some of the busiest in Bangkok for tourism.

I do find that regardless of location booking an airport transfer from the hotel helps you get bumped up into the earliest available room.

That is funny........I have about 100/0 chance of receiving communication, so I guess you have been unlucky. ;) I always message the property with my flight details and expected time of arrival and then update them when I am enroute so it is fresh on their minds when I arrive. For the odd time I am not upgraded before check-in I have been through the chat by saying "any upgrades would be appreciated."

It has also been lifesaving for assistance with last minute IRROPS. As mentioned before, my QF F flight to SYD was delayed 24 hours. I was already checked-in at the Marriott at Circular Quay but still in DFW. When I advised them I would be delayed, they shortened my reservation by one day without penalty. When I arrived the day after, I was upgraded to a Junior suite and checked into my room at 7:30 am and had lounge access for breakfast on the day of arrival.

James

Add-on.. I find hotels in APAC very very good at responding to messaging either via FB, Twitter or App maybe due to language or timezones of international guest. In recent years has become my default method of communication. If you have status, the hotels typically will send you a welcome email/letter offering airport transit which gives you multiple e-mail contacts directly to hotel front desk team to coordinate your needs.

I've had no problem booking the night before and then arriving in the early morning to claim the room. However, the day before arrival, I ALWAYS call the front desk of the property directly (NOT the 800-reservations number) to make sure that I am not marked a no-show. By booking the night before, breakfast should be available to you, as well as having immediate access to your room.

Your 24
 

Isn't this why Your 24 exists?

Your24™

Stay When You Want

Have the flexibility to choose the 24 hours of your stay. So when your flight arrives really early or extra late, you can check in at 8 a.m. and check out at 8 a.m. — or stay from midnight to midnight. It’s up to you.

Only if you are Ambassador Elite. However, Ambassador Elites have had little success in enjoying the benefit.

James