Hi,
We are going on a R.S. tour of Italy in about five months, but the first hotel we're going to in Venice wants us to check in now (they've sent an email with a link). In case it matters: A few months ago, we added a couple of extra nights at the first hotel before the tour officially starts. Is it normal for a hotel in Italy to ask you to check in months before your physical arrival?
Thank you
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7638 posts
Natalie, does it happen to be Unahotels Hotel Ala Venezia?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17218 posts
I do not think they mean that you must check in now. Just save it for later.
I had a number of hotels and apartments in Italy, Switzerland, and London this year send a link to check-in well before arrival. I believe they intend it to speed up the check-in process when you actually arrive. Something left over from the 2021 “contactless check-in” days. But there is no need to do it until a day or two before your arrival.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Jean, no, it's Pensione Guerrato.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Lola, thank you, that makes sense.
This is the second time they've sent the link, so I was concerned (the first email they sent was right after we booked the extra nights, which made a little more sense, and I decided at the time to wait until right before we left to use the link... but to receive it a second time, a couple of months later, made it seem like they really wanted us to do it now).
Posted by
Freedonia
16007 posts
When you say check in do you mean they want your information or they want payment?
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7014 posts
I know for the Paradors in Spain, a check in email is sent out a week or so in advance. Its purpose is to speed up the actual check in process upon arrival. I never provide the information since check in only takes a couple minutes.
Posted by
Moncton NB
1097 posts
You'll love Pensione Guerrato. Definitely my "go to" in Venice.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5395 posts
Is there any chance their system was hacked, similar to what has been happening to booking.com? (Fake emails were being sent that looked like official booking.com emails, asking for credit card info.) Try to contact them directly thru their website, and ask if this is legitimate. Or have the RS office contact them.
Is the hotel asking for credit card info?
Good luck!
Posted by
Washington DC
27609 posts
I read a short article yesterday (sorry, I don't have the link) indicating it's the hotels that are being targeted. The hotels have a relationship with booking.com (as well as other third-party sites), so the booking.com information is on the hotel computers.
This is so early for Natalie that I think checking with the hotel would be smart.
Posted by
Atlanta
5138 posts
We've stayed at Pensione Guerrato several times. Based on our experiences with them, we would not hesitate to do their "early check in", if it is Guerrato that is sending the email. Good advice above about the possibility of their system being hacked and the email being from someone else. A quick email from you (or even a phone call should clear up that question. Do let us know the outcome.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6976 posts
Our past 2 trips were Spain and France
Some hotels booked on booking.com, others on hotel website
As I recall we started getting emails from a few of the hotels booked on hotel website asking me to check in online -up to maybe 3 months before arrival
I just ignored them-they were not asking for payment
I think it’s a leftover from COVID days when contactless check in was desired-probably an automated thing
Check in is so quick I see no reason to send info online in advance
Wasn’t a problem anywhere
I would just ignore it.
If you are concerned about your reservation contact the hotel for confirmation