Weeks/points-owners and checkout times

[mommaO3]

Once my flight was 6pm departure and one of the Marriott hotel allowed me to stay until 2pm.
Maybe my platinum elite helped this.
And I booked this reservation from Marriott.com

 

[DB-Wis]

Once my flight was 6pm departure and one of the Marriott hotel allowed me to stay until 2pm.
Maybe my platinum elite helped this.
And I booked this reservation from Marriott.com

Getting a late check-out at a Marriott hotel even as late as 2 pm is pretty routine if you have gold or platinmum status.

Late check-out at a Marriott time-share property is a completely different kettle of fish, and rightly so. As an arriving guest, I want my unit to be ready as early as possible, and if that means complying with a policy of vacating my unit by 10 am on the day of my departure, I'm happy to do it. A strict 10 am check-out time quickly becomes pretty meaningless if exceptions are routinely made. It's so easy to continue using the facilities after check-out (and to use the changing rooms when you're ready to leave the property). At a time-share property (as opposed to a Marriott hotel), I think it's an abuse to ask for special treatment as to check-out time.

 

[SueDonJ]

Getting a late check-out at a Marriott hotel even as late as 2 pm is pretty routine if you have gold or platinmum status.

Late check-out at a Marriott time-share property is a completely different kettle of fish, and rightly so. As an arriving guest, I want my unit to be ready as early as possible, and if that means complying with a policy of vacating my unit by 10 am on the day of my departure, I'm happy to do it. A strict 10 am check-out time quickly becomes pretty meaningless if exceptions are routinely made. It's so easy to continue using the facilities after check-out (and to use the changing rooms when you're ready to leave the property). At a time-share property (as opposed to a Marriott hotel), I think it's an abuse to ask for special treatment as to check-out time.

I disagree if you're saying that the stated policy at the Hilton Head resorts (and others with the same policy) is an abuse. It appears Marriott doesn't agree either, because they routinely advise guests about it prior to check-in via phone call as well as at check-in and then the day before check-out. The last time I was at Barony and SurfWatch I noticed that there's also now a notice prominently featured at the check-in areas. It's not something I've ever had to request and they seem to have the logistics figured out because we've never heard of it causing long check-in delays of the type this OP has questioned.

When it was first introduced several years ago a rep explained to me that they do it to free up Bell Services staff and cold storage facilities for guests who arrive to the area early or depart late that day. Whether that's the reason or not it's a nice offer that goes a long way toward customer satisfaction, and shouldn't cause problems as long as the few folks who can take advantage of it follow the rules.

 

[SCSTWG]

I am usually one of the first ones to leave (5 A.M.) because of having a 15 hour drive to get home. For me, the last day at the resort usually offer no value. That said, I can see where people who are staying that may only live a few hours away may try to maximize their value and use the last day well beyond check-out time. Some may play dumb or realize that Marriott probably isn't going to throw your things out on the street or charge you for another night. That isn't my style and I think the courteous thing to do is call the front desk or housekeeping when you leave (regardless of time). For those people that want to use the resort past the check-out time, the resort can accomodate you via locker rooms in the fitness center. Of course we are dealing with people, and as they used to say when I was in the Marines....."there's always that 10%".

 

[DB-Wis]

I disagree if you're saying that the stated policy at the Hilton Head resorts (and others with the same policy) is an abuse. It appears Marriott doesn't agree either, because they routinely advise guests about it prior to check-in via phone call as well as at check-in and then the day before check-out. The last time I was at Barony and SurfWatch I noticed that there's also now a notice prominently featured at the check-in areas. It's not something I've ever had to request and they seem to have the logistics figured out because we've never heard of it causing long check-in delays of the type this OP has questioned.

When it was first introduced several years ago a rep explained to me that they do it to free up Bell Services staff and cold storage facilities for guests who arrive to the area early or depart late that day. Whether that's the reason or not it's a nice offer that goes a long way toward customer satisfaction, and shouldn't cause problems as long as the few folks who can take advantage of it follow the rules.

Susan,

I was not referring to the practice of allowing late check-outs when moving from one Hilton Head property to another (and, frankly, I'm a little surprised that you thought I was since I made no reference to that at all.) That practice makes perfect sense to me. But that is not the typical situation.

 

[SueDonJ]

Susan,

I was not referring to the practice of allowing late check-outs when moving from one Hilton Head property to another (and, frankly, I'm a little surprised that you thought I was since I made no reference to that at all.) That practice makes perfect sense to me. But that is not the typical situation.

I wasn't sure but thought, "hmmmm, maybe," because I mentioned leaving a change of clothes handy and you mentioned using changing rooms. But that's why I said, "if" and hoped you wouldn't read an accusation into what I wrote.

It'd be great if the OP would come back and explain why he thinks late check-outs are lately more commonplace. Going only by the scarcity of reports to TUG it just doesn't appear that late check-outs are becoming a significant problem system-side.

 

[dioxide45]

At a time-share property (as opposed to a Marriott hotel), I think it's an abuse to ask for special treatment as to check-out time.

I agree, they really shouldn't be permitting case by case decisions to allow late checkouts. If there is a stated policy that permits it and is available to all guests, that is one thing. But if they are making case by case exceptions that it an issue. I can see some cases when there is low occupancy in low season, but in most cases even in low season occupancy is high.

 

[NboroGirl]

We sometimes get to check in an hour early at our home resort but usually it's right around 4:00. We always check out before 10:00 because I book morning flights

Having said that, last month our flight got moved to 2:30 in the afternoon. I asked the front desk if we could stay until 11 and they said no. They would be happy to store our luggage for us and we could hang out at the resort, but we had to be out of our room by 10. So we loaded up the rental car with our stuff and stayed in the room until the maid came, which was a few minutes after 10. We told her "we're just leaving" and she said "No, no - take your time!" and she moved on. We didn't feel right so we left anyway and sat by the pool for an hour before we left.

I felt slightly miffed that they wouldn't even accommodate us for an extra hour, but I certainly do understand it. Since it was March (Orlando) the resort was probably full, and it really wasn't a big deal.

 

[Superchief]

I wish that MVC would offer two tiers for check-in and check-out times. This would provide more flexibility for our travel, while still providing sufficient time to prepare the villas. My suggestions would be:
1. Check in after 3pm, check out by 9am
2. Check in after 6pm, check out by noon

 

[Superchief]

I think that people using DC points or renting through Marriott have different expectations for short stays. If you are only staying 1-2 nights, you expect check-ins and check-out times to be similar to hotels: 2pm check-in, noon check-out. These create additional challenges for the resorts like Oceana Palms who have higher proportions of short stays.

 

[suenmike32]

Sue,
In reality...I saw it almost 3-4 times (out of 6 days that we were there).
We waited until 5:45 to get into our room. Then again, I understand how busy it is at G/V, especially this year.
I just don't understand people checking out....(an trust me....they were just leaving their rooms) at 2-3PM.... when people are sitting around the pool (with their luggage), waiting to check in.
We actually left today....a day early, to try and get out of central Florida (between storms), however, we called after we left to advise that we vacated early, (in hopes that it would help someone else be able to get in at 4).
I'll take it one step further....time-shareing as I used to know it has changed dramatically. After this past week...I've found that, when it comes to consideration, politeness, pool etiquette ...and just plan manners...the first rule is...."there are no rules".
Glad to be on the way home...(en-route to NY), but it's freezing in here in NC.
Mike

It'd be great if the OP would come back and explain why he thinks late check-outs are lately more commonplace. Going only by the scarcity of reports to TUG it just doesn't appear that late check-outs are becoming a significant problem system-side.

 

[autumn]

Check in lateness

My daughter just checked into Breckinridge marriott timeshare,didn't get her room until after 6 for two nights on points. They apologized and comped her dinner. That at least was a nice touch

 

[SueDonJ]

Sue,
In reality...I saw it almost 3-4 times (out of 6 days that we were there).
We waited until 5:45 to get into our room. Then again, I understand how busy it is at G/V, especially this year.
I just don't understand people checking out....(an trust me....they were just leaving their rooms) at 2-3PM.... when people are sitting around the pool (with their luggage), waiting to check in.
We actually left today....a day early, to try and get out of central Florida (between storms), however, we called after we left to advise that we vacated early, (in hopes that it would help someone else be able to get in at 4).
I'll take it one step further....time-shareing as I used to know it has changed dramatically. After this past week...I've found that, when it comes to consideration, politeness, pool etiquette ...and just plan manners...the first rule is...."there are no rules".
Glad to be on the way home...(en-route to NY), but it's freezing in here in NC.
Mike

I'm sorry to hear about all the late check-outs and the "no-rules" that you came across, Mike. Those don't sound like good trends at all! Hopefully at least with the late check-outs the resort GM's are applying the penalty fees that are at their disposal.

Safe travels to you - this has been such an odd spring so far with cold weather and storms much later in the season. I've been home a week but spent the two previous weeks at Anna Maria Island in Florida and it was pretty chilly. It was still warmer and brighter sunshine than what we're "enjoying" up here in the Boston area but only three afternoons were warm enough to sit on the beach. My friends there were putting the heat on a few days!

 

[aka Julie]

I think as more and more people are staying for only a few nights, there are going to be problems like this. They are thinking it's like a hotel and treat their stay that way. No sense of ownership like us longtime weeks owners.

We've owned for more than 10 years and are "trained" to empty all trash cans before we leave, start the dishwasher, etc.

We just left Barony yesterday. There was no reminder of 10:00 checkout. There is no longer a binder in the villa with info regarding the villa and property. I can remember when there used to be an inventory sheet in the kitchen and also reminder about what to do before checking out.

I saw more a sense of people not caring because they don't "own." In my opinion it's only going to get worse and add to the cost of operations and thus our MF.