We are going to begin a December trip to Europe in Vienna. We would like to find an airport hotel with early check-in so we can arrive, sleep and then move on to Budapest. When I try to search for hotels with early check-in, I really don't get any hits, I just get the same list of hotels. Has anyone had luck with checking into an airport hotel early? Kathy, Charleston, SC
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2545 posts
Early check in is based on availability. If you want to guarantee you can check in early, reserve two nights: the night before your arrival and your arrival night. Make sure you communicate your plans with the hotel. Especially if you are arriving in the morning.
Posted by
OP
38 posts
I know how to do the extra night, but I recently read an article that said some airport hotels are now doing 24 hour check-ins. I wish I had saved the article. The article was aimed for international travelers with jet lag.
Posted by
3439 posts
Not with an airport hotel, but with our now favorite hotel in Paris. I emailed the hotel and humbly beseeched them for an early check-in. We got it - and in return they got my eternal loyalty. It never hurts to ask.
Posted by
Indiana
923 posts
I too have contacted hotels directly with that request, and they have been accommodating. If at first you don't find one, keep trying others on your list.
Posted by
San Francisco
14976 posts
The times when I was allowed early check-in were those if the room had not been occupied the night before. Obviously, since the hotel staff did not have clean the room. This was my experience in Vienna, Paris and Berlin. They were, however, not airport hotels.
Posted by
OP
38 posts
Thank you all very much for your assistance. We decided to fly into Budapest instead and we got an AirBnB who agreed to a 1 PM check-in. I'm not crazy about AirBnB's, but we will see how it goes. Thank you!
Posted by
New Zealand
496 posts
1pm is nothing special - plenty of places will let you in that time. The big disadvantage of airbnbs is that you have to arrange a time to arrive in advance. I prefer a small hotel - where you can drop the bags if the room isn't ready yet. We stayed at the Gerloczy Hotel recently and it was delightful - and had a wonderful cafe - where I'm sure they'd be happy for you to hang out until the room is ready
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20186 posts
Better idea is to get a hotel close to the train station.
By the time you get there it will be a regular check-in time.
Posted by
OP
38 posts
We are not fond of AirBnB's. We only use them when hotels don't work out. Our adult children are much more into AirBnB's than we are. We prefer hotels. We stayed in one AirBnB in Amsterdam that wasn't safe--not because of the neighborhood.