Priceline, Hotwire, etc., and a daytime hobbyist's schedule

[Sir Lancehernot]

Last time I did any significant amount of traveling, check-in time was usually 3, and check-out time between 10 and noon.

How can you can get a room at one of the discount sites with the intent of using it during daytime hobbying hours, i.e., say, 10 a.m. and 4 p..m.?

[Guest062114-5]

Originally Posted by Sir Lancehernot

Last time I did any significant amount of traveling, check-in time was usually 3, and check-out time between 10 and noon.

How can you can get a room at one of the discount sites with the intent of using it during daytime hobbying hours, i.e., say, 10 a.m. and 4 p..m.?

I Use Priceline a ton. I've never had a problem checking in by about 1, except in New Orleans or Miami occasionally. Except for a recent trip to a Miami Beach resort, checkout has been noon and I've been able to ask for 1pm checkout.

[Grace Preston]

When I still had to rely on hotels, I'd just book for 2 days.. it was pretty much the only way that worked for me 100% of the time.

[Guest062114-5]

Originally Posted by GracePreston

When I still had to rely on hotels, I'd just book for 2 days.. it was pretty much the only way that worked for me 100% of the time.

That's the best way to ensure you have the lunch hour covered. Usually you can get two days for the price of one if booking direct.

[pmdelites]

just ask the hotel what's the earliest you can check in and what's the latest you can check out.

on a lot of my business trips, i was able to check in around 11am and checkout at 1pm [not the same day, i'm not that "quick" :^) ]

sometimes, hotels have "day rates". when i went to the south pacific recently, one flite arrived at 7am and my ongoing flite departed at 7pm. so, i booked a hotel in australia w/ check in at 9am and checkout at 3pm. i even got a reduced rate.

so, just ask the hotel directly.
might not be applicable if you're using priceline or a similar pre-paid website.

[Sir Lancehernot]

Originally Posted by pmdelites

so, just ask the hotel directly.
might not be applicable if you're using priceline or a similar pre-paid website.

Thanks, but that was entirely the point of the question.

[Eva Damita]

+1 on priceline hun

[pmdelites]

Originally Posted by Sir Lancehernot

Thanks, but that was entirely the point of the question.

so ask them AFTER you've booked it on priceline, etc.

[Guest062114-5]

And get shot down and kicked out at 11am....or told you can't access room until 4?

[Alyssa Marie]

There is a site www.between9to5.com but I just checked Dallas and it didn't give me any results.
The answer to your q is, there is no guaranteed way. You either do what Grace suggested or you book the room for the night before and in the am go to the housekeeping lady on your floor. Find out if your room is one of hers, give her $20. Say, "can you please do my room last. I have a 6pm flight and I would love to catch up on sleep."

[Guest070714-2]

This is my main problem with hotels.

[guest012815-1]

Check in after 3 am as an early check in.
Billing cycle had been closed and now it must be posted on that days rev
So you will now have room from 3 am-11am the next day
This will not work on high occupancy days but if hotel is low on that said day it will
In high occupancy days the hotel is waiting on check outs to let other ppl in but on low occu days they have waiting rooms.

[Say What]

pmd has the best answer to your question. Yes, I get that you want to use Priceline or Hotwire, but those aren't the solution that you're looking for.

I'm a daytime hobbyist like you. I have two hotels that I use regularly. I can check in as early as 8 a.m. if I need to. I just have a story that I stick to. I work nights and my family is in town. I'll never get any sleep with them there. I have NEVER been denied and I go a lot.

Go directly to the hotel. No need to use the web to book the room. On multiple occasions the front desk lady has even given me a discount on the lowest rate because I told her I was only going to sleep for a while and would be gone before five.

Priceline and Hotwire haven't given me the service that I need to get the rooms for the day.

[Sir Lancehernot]

Best answer so far. Thanks, Say What. I think I might check out a few places, tell them I'm about to embark on an unusual work schedule that is causing me to seek daytime solitude, and see what, if any, arrangements I might be able to make in advance of anticipated need.

[Guest062114-5]

It might be fun to think up some cover stories.

I know I've have job interviews for RW jobs at Embassy Suites before. I've checked into hotels because of construction at my house.

Missed outgoing flight. Long layover. Annoying children.