Why is hotel check-out always at 12 o’clock? Not for cleaning, the reason surprises many people…
Currently, most hotels have a check-in time of 2:00 PM or later. However, the check-out time is usually set before 12:00 PM. In spite of not being a full 24 hours, hotels still use this time frame to calculate a full day of stay for guests.
This policy is applied across the hotel industry worldwide, from budget inns to luxury hotels.
Why Choose Check-In at 2:00 PM and Check-Out at 12:00 PM the Next Day?
A lot of people book hotel rooms for rest. Midnight is often used as the midpoint. Therefore, a stay from 2:00 PM the previous day to 12:00 PM the next day is considered acceptable. Especially, when advertising, hotels state the rate per night rather than per day.
For example, if a guest checks in at 5:00 AM, the hotel cannot ask them to leave at 3:00 AM the following day, as that would be in the middle of the night. Even if the guest agrees to check out at night, the hotel would likely not find new bookings at that time. Therefore, standardizing check-in and check-out times helps hotels optimize their operations and create convenience for guests.
When checking out, the hotel will send staff to inspect the room for any damage, loss, or consumption of chargeable items like food or drinks. Moreover, the hotel will complete the payment process, return any documents, and refund any deposits to the guest (if applicable).
Why the Two-Hour Gap Between Check-Out and Check-In?
The two-hour period between the previous guest’s check-out time and the next guest’s check-in time allows hotel workers to clean the rooms. This assignment must be completed fast but to professional standards. The fastest time to clean a room is roughly 15 minutes, depending on its state.
The crew will vacuum the entire room, inspect the drapes, replace the bed linens, clean the tables and chairs, and replenish the cups and glasses. The bathroom, the dirtiest area, is cleaned last. They will also examine the functionality of in-room appliances such as the television, air conditioning, and water heater.