How hotels with early check-in and late checkout are breaking ‘tired’ 3pm-12pm standard in wake of Covid-19 pandemic – and hotel chains that have gone the other way

We've all experienced the inconvenience of early morning arrivals or late-night departures that don't align with standard hotel check-in and check-out times. Traditionally, the benchmark has been a 3pm check-in and a 12pm check-out. However, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, some hotels are reevaluating these standards. Some are shortening stays to a 4pm check-in and 11am check-out, while others are extending or even eliminating set times altogether, without the need for top-tier loyalty status or a preferential credit card.

Among the hotels adopting a more generous policy is The Peninsula, a luxury hotel group headquartered in Hong Kong. They have introduced 'Peninsula Time', which allows guests to check in from 6am and check out up until 10pm without incurring extra charges. This policy is available at all of its 12 hotels across Asia, Europe, and the United States. Carson Glover, the Vice-President of Brand Marketing and Communications, stated that the pandemic provided an opportunity to enhance the guest experience by eliminating rigid check-in and check-out times.

Another hotel chain that has introduced flexible check-in and check-out times is The Hoxton, which operates 11 boutique hotels across Europe and the United States. They have introduced 'Flexy Time', which allows guests to choose their own check-in and check-out times around the clock, at no extra cost. Rob Andrews, the Chief Operating Officer, stated that this approach was introduced to maximise the value of a hotel stay and provide guests with full flexibility during a time when travel faced many challenges.