What to ask at hotel check-in

I've worked a lot of front desks, from a hostel I helped open in Patagonia to a historic inn where I was head innkeeper. The guests who had the best stays usually asked a few good questions in the first ten minutes.

Check-in is the easiest moment to change something. Your bags are still packed, the desk has the room plan open, and nothing has been set in motion yet.

Where is the room?

Ask which floor it's on and what it's near. The elevator, the ice machine, a service door or a rooftop bar can make a lovely room a noisy one. If something sounds wrong for you, say so now. Moving a guest before they've unpacked is a small job. Moving them at midnight is a big one.

It's also fine to look at the room and come back down. A good desk would rather fix it in the first hour than hear about it at check-out.

What's included, and how does it show up?

If your booking includes breakfast, a resort credit or other perks, ask how they'll appear. Is breakfast in the restaurant or through room service? Does the credit post to your bill automatically, and what can it be used for? Asking at the start saves a confusing conversation over the bill on your last morning.

Ask about the hold on your card for incidentals too, and when it's released. Hotels set their own amounts, and it's better to know before you're surprised by your bank.

What books up?

Every hotel has something that fills before guests realize it: the chef's tasting menu, the morning spa slots, the cabanas, the sunset table. The front desk and the concierge know what it is. Ask once, early, and book what you want for the whole stay.

Tell them why you're here

If you're celebrating, say it again even if it's on the reservation. Notes get passed along, but a mention at the desk reaches the person who can act on it that day. And if you'll want a later check-out, this is the moment to ask, not the morning you leave.

Where I come in

When I book your hotel, a lot of this is settled before you arrive. Your occasion, your arrival time, your room preferences and any partner perks are on the reservation, and I've asked the questions that matter for that particular property. You still get the fun part at the desk. If you'd like a hand with your next stay, I'd be glad to help.