The Buswell Hotel

Last April, we did exactly what you are planning, arrived 2 days early. Worked fine. We emailed Buswells, and they said they could very likely be able to do that. And they did. We paid for our two days on our own at initial checkin. We did have to wait a couple of hours until 3:00 check in time, but that was ok. Very nice hotel. Don't know room categories, but we were two people in a double room.

Contact the hotel and ask them what room category has been reserved for the tour.

Then reserve a room in that category. About a week or two prior to your arrival, send them an email, or call, so they will block the rooms for you.

What they will do with the RS reservation is make a note that you are "already in house." when the room is assigned.

I've done this with two reservations. Quite often, I just tell them when I check in for the first reservation. Actual rooms are not assigned in most hotels more than a couple of days ahead of time.

What has already been suggested is correct. Communication with the hotel before making your reservation is key. Tell them of your plan, and are wondering how you can reserve the room type that would allow you to remain in that room as you transition to the tour.

Our arrival at Buswell's years ago after a very early morning arrival from the west coast, changed how we do things. We were so exhausted/jetlagged and had a long way to go until check in. We wandered around a bit until we were delirious, then we sat in the lobby on their sofa feeling so tired and pathetic, that they did their best to get us a room earlier than check in time. From then on we always reserve a hotel room for the night prior and then notify the hotel that we will actually be arriving in the early hours of the following morning. (Unfortunately, we can't always fly internationally with late afternoon flight arrivals!)

It's a great tour! Enjoy!

KD, I know the sofa you sat on. It's still quite comfortable.

We're going on that tour soon. The info from RS was to mention "The Group Company" when you make your reservation so that they will know that you're on an RS tour. When I booked the reservation they didn't yet have the names from RS, but told me to contact them closer to the trip and they'd connect the two reservations so I wouldn't have to change rooms. And that's what I did. I should be in the same room for the entire stay now.

Kathleen, when you check in, make sure they have actually noted the two stays are connected.

travelerguy, was there a sign on the sofa with a time limit and note that sleeping on it is clearly overstepping guest boundaries! (:

Yeah, it had your photo and said "Don't be like KD"