I have solved the early arrival problem. A few months ago I decided I had enough of the early arrivals. Every other guests was arriving early and I had to stop cleaning or doing what I needed to do before normal check in time. When we switched to reskey I decided to make early check in a bookable package. So I allow early check in from 1-4. Regular check in is from 4-5:30. When making a reservation they click on the package and reserve their time. Problem solved! It has worked out great! We started at $20 fee for this. I had so many people like this I upped it to $35. I no longer have people arriving early unless they are willing to pay for it! Our time is worth $. They are also told of they have booked the early check in pkg and they arrive during normal check in times, they are still charged the fee. We made almost $1200 last month just on early check ins! If you place a charge in front of a customer they tend to listen a little more! You should try it!.
Bob- What a brilliant idea. That extra cash can almost pay for extra help if needed to get the rooms done early. And if not extra help it will pay for some spa time to help overcome the tired body parts from working so fast to get things done.
You are right your extra efforts and time spent changing your routine is worth something. If people want it bad enough they will pay for it. Otherwise they will find something to occupy their time.
I will implement this from the get go!
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Try it out and see if it works. There are areas where it is essential to be able to check-in early and others where most of the guests arrive around 7. I know I wouldn't make a dime doing this. And, if, by chance I could make money, I would not have the time to do it anyway. I need that break between 1-3 to relax.
What you need to keep in mind is allowing the early check-in, even for a fee, means you are tied down to the property for those early check-ins. If you promise it, you have to deliver it. Now, if you have staff to take over those responsibilities you're good to go.
I do know a lot (really, a LOT) of innkeepers who have decided early on that they are wedded to this business 24x7x365. If you can do that, go for it. If you can't then don't start allowing something you can't keep up with forever.
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