5 Pro Tips for Scoring a Late Hotel Checkout (For Less Stress and More Rest!)

Sleeping in a hotel room offers relaxation like no other. From the comfy sheets and blackout shades to the ambiance of the decor, it’s always sad when I have to pack up and say goodbye. I love having a lazy morning in my own space, enjoying the view, or catching up on z’s — sometimes sleeping so well that I miss my alarm and have to exit in a hurry, wishing that I had scheduled a late checkout at my hotel.

If you, too, have found yourself wanting to linger, you may have tried to score a late checkout at a hotel. While getting permission to stay an extra 15 or 20 minutes is pretty simple, sticking around for a few hours is less likely. Or is it? With a few expert tips, you might be able to secure that late checkout and catch some extra time in your hotel room after all.

While it’s usually possible to stay in your room a little longer — say, a half hour — you should arrange a significantly late checkout ahead of time. Each situation depends on the hotel and what’s happening on any given day. So there is no universal answer to whether or not you can check out late.

Gerardo Ku, the marketing manager for Ana y José Hotel & Spa in Tulum, Mexico, says there are several appropriate times to ask for a late checkout at a hotel. “The best ways to ask for a late checkout are to request it during the booking process, mention it at check-in, or call the front desk the night before or the morning of your departure,” he says. 

According to Dan Ludin, the hotel manager at Radisson Blu Mall of America in Minnesota, the earlier you ask for a late checkout, the better your chances will be. “Ask about it at check-in,” he says. Ludin also suggests letting the hotel know an approximate checkout time so they know the full scope of your request. 

Hotels set checkout and check-in times to allow enough time to flip the room, says Allegra Becerril, the guest experience manager at Lula Tulum in Mexico. Staff may want to accommodate your request but still have to say no due to circumstances beyond their control. Becerril explains, “It is important to understand that late checkouts are rare and subject to availability.” 

As the owner of The Pacific Motel, a boutique hotel in Cayucos, California, Ryan Fortini ensures that housekeepers clean the room between stays and that a guest representative conducts a detailed inspection. “In the audit, we examine the room’s cleanliness and set the room for consistency with our room brand guidelines,” he says, which is why they need enough time between your checkout and the next guest’s check-in.

Another factor that comes into play is the hotel’s occupancy rate. A fully booked hotel may be unable to juggle late checkout with evening arrivals, especially if it’s understaffed. “If several guests are asking for late checkouts and the hotel has a limited time to clean the room, it’s hard to extend too many late checkouts,” says Tracy Uphold, the sales director at Quirk Richmond in Virginia. You’re more likely to have time to remain in your room if the hotel isn’t full of guests.

There is no industry standard, as each hotel sets its own rules, but most hotel experts agree they could only extend checkout up to two hours before the next guests are scheduled to check in. So, if the rooms are set to be ready at 4 p.m., 2 p.m. is the latest checkout time. Ask your hotel to brief you on their specific policies.

If you have to extend beyond that, it’s best to book another night so you don’t feel rushed out the door. “For the most part, hotel room attendants leave for the day around 4 or 5 p.m.,” Ku says. “If you plan to leave after that, there may not be a room attendant available to clean the room for the next guest.” With all of the factors that come into play — occupancy, staffing, room availability, and how early you asked for an extension — late checkouts can be hard to come by.

On the morning of checkout, there may be a queue of folks asking for late checkouts, many of which the hotel can’t grant, so asking early is key. “Early communication helps us plan to make your request as stress-free for you as possible,” Ludin says. 

Let the hotel staff know if you have a good reason to stay in your room a bit later. Ku says, “Explaining why you need a late checkout, like a late flight or specific circumstances, can make your request more compelling.”

Some hotel brands are starting to charge a small amount to accommodate a late checkout at a hotel. “Sometimes, a nominal fee might be charged for the late checkout so the hotel can compensate staff for staying late to clean the room,” says Uphold.

Ludin also points out that some hotel brands offer perks for membership. “Loyalty members also often get guaranteed late checkout,” he says. It’s a perfect reason to earn status with your favorite hotel brands.

A little kindness can go a long way, but even then, a hotel may not be able to give you more time to enjoy your room. “Asking politely and being understanding if the request cannot be accommodated is crucial,” Ku says.