Receive complimentary breakfast at Luxury Hotels
Late checkout is incredibly useful at the end of a stay at an InterContinental hotel, or any other ihg hotel such as Kimpton, especially when faced with a late flight departure. Usually, checkout is around 12:00 or 1:00 pm, and check-in is around 3:00 pm. Therefore, Late checkout is likely anytime from 1:00 pm to 8:00 or 9:00 pm.
While evening checkouts are rare, our luxury travel concierge agents have occasionally secured crazily late checkouts for our clients, so it’s always worth asking as our agents are delighted to help.
Our luxury travel concierge agents specialize in prioritized late checkout, prioritized room upgrades, free breakfast for two, and more at all luxury hotels around the world for all our clients, so get in touch if you could use any of these perks. You also get all your usual loyalty points and perks when you book with us.
We have previously shared the best InterContinental Beach resorts in the world and the best InterContinental hotels in Europe. The hotels in these listings are very special and all worth booking for a really luxury holiday.
Read on for our brilliant tips to increase your chances of getting a late checkout at an InterContinental hotel.
1. Book Via An Agent That Specializes In Late Checkout
When you book into the best InterContinental hotels, you can book via an agent specializing in late checkout. You can request a late checkout at any time. If you book your next stay via our concierge, you will usually get prioritized late checkout, free breakfast, hotel credit, welcome amenities, and more at all the best luxury hotels.
Some InterContinental hotels guarantee late checkout if you book via our luxury travel concierge so feel free to query whether your Intercontinental hotel has offered this guarantee when booking with our agents.
Securing complimentary late checkout grants you extended access to your room and the hotel’s amenities, providing a sanctuary for you to escape to. This perk proves immensely valuable, particularly when facing a late flight departure, so do make use of the services of a specialized agent who can help make this happen.
Our luxury agents have direct contact with management at luxury hotels, and they can request and try to confirm late checkout on your behalf. Additionally, certain luxury hotels they collaborate with proactively confirm late checkout upon booking.
In contrast, bookings made through large, automated online travel agencies usually receive lower priority for such benefits. Opting to book through our agents or directly with the hotel enhances the likelihood of receiving late checkout, as these bookings typically yield higher profits for the hotel, thereby incentivizing them to accommodate requests more readily.
And where should you stay? How about picking up a bargain at one of the cheapest InterContinental hotels in the world?
2. Book Club Lounge Access
We have reviewed the best InterContinental hotel club lounges. Club lounges offer complimentary food and drink in an exclusive and luxurious and exclusive lounge area. You can only access the lounge if you have paid for club access.
If you book the InterContinental in Paris, London, or New York Barclay hotel via our luxury travel concierge, you will get free club lounge access when you book a standard room. We reviewed the club lounge at the InterContinental London, which is insanely good. While we don’t offer free club lounge at all InterContinental hotels, for example Boston, Los Angeles and Sydney, we do offer wonderful free benefits including breakfast and room upgrades at the other InterContinental hotels and resorts.
Club lounge access is a great alternative if you can’t get late checkout. You could book a club room for your entire stay or try to book it for the last night.
We’ve reviewed the best hotel club lounges in the world, which goes beyond just InterContinental club lounges. Access to these executive club lounges provides a tranquil space to unwind and enjoy complimentary refreshments. These lounges are exceptional, offering a comparable experience to having your own private room while waiting for your flight at the hotel. Lounge access is available late into the evening, proving invaluable for extended stays. Many lounges even provide shower facilities for a quick refresh.
Club lounge access is the break-glass solution if faced with a late flight. If the hotel cannot accommodate an extended checkout, there’s no better option than relaxing in these executive areas for as long as necessary.
3. Ask Immediately
Asking for a late checkout at a hotel is best done promptly after booking. Some hotels may be more flexible if they know your preferences in advance. Whether through your agent or by contacting the hotel directly, it’s advisable to request late checkout as soon as possible, allowing the hotel ample time to adjust room allocations and accommodate your request.
4. Join the IHG loyalty scheme
Members of hotel loyalty programs often receive perks and prioritized benefits such as late checkout privileges. Joining these programs can increase your chances of getting a late checkout.
With InterContinental, the loyalty scheme is IHG, and the higher your membership tier, the more priority the hotel will likely give to your late checkout. You also get to collect points that you can use towards future stays.
The InterContinental also has a separate InterContinental® Ambassador program. Join this too to get absolute priority for late checkout on your bookings.
Some specific InteCintinental hotels offer late checkout packages. At InterContinental O2, standard hotel check-out time is 12:00 (noon), thereafter a fee of £20 an hour applies until 6:00 pm. IHG Rewards Club members can enjoy complimentary late check-out (2:00 pm) and InterContinental Ambassadors 4:00 pm, all subject to availability.
5. Stay Regularly
Returning guests at a hotel often receive prioritized benefits. This may include an upgraded room a welcome amenity, and crucially, the hotel will endeavor to accommodate late checkout by rearranging room assignments for your convenience.
6. Give Reception Details On Why You Need Late Checkout
If you require late checkout due to a late flight departure, or for a special occasion, or if you simply want to enjoy the pool for the remainder of your stay, sharing these details with the staff may assist them in prioritizing and justifying your late checkout to the management. This communication can increase the likelihood of your request being granted.
7. Offer to Pay
Some hotels charge an additional fee for a late checkout or an extra half-day. Ask about this. You may feel it’s worthwhile paying a little more to stay until the end of the day on the last day of your stay.
We recently secured an incredibly early check-in for one of our clients at the Four Seasons Abu Dhabi for half the price of a full night’s stay. The client was thrilled. This can happen across any hotel brand. The first step is to ask!
8. Stay In Low Season
Negotiating late checkout becomes nearly impossible if the hotel is fully booked the night following your checkout. Conversely, if occupancy levels are low, your chances significantly improve. Consider scheduling your stay outside of peak seasons to increase the likelihood of the hotel being able to offer you the late checkout perk.
9. Book A Hotel Where You Can Use The Hotel Facilities After Checkout
If you cannot secure a late checkout, most luxury hotels allow you to continue using all their facilities until your departure. They typically provide a communal room or changing area for guests to use and shower.
This enables you to enjoy the hotel’s amenities like the pool, lounges, gym, and beach, even without a booked room. Afterward, you can freshen up in the hotel’s communal changing rooms before heading to the airport. Our booking agents can verify if the InterContinental you’re interested in offers this option.
10. Follow Up With Staff On The Day Of Checkout
If you’re unable to secure a late checkout in advance, it’s worth following up with the front desk staff on the day of checkout. Sometimes, last-minute accommodations can be arranged or adjustments made to free up a room for you to use until the early evening.
We took the photo above during our stay at InterContinental London.
Copyright Luxury Travel Diary 2014 - 2024. Duplication outside of luxurytraveldiary.com is forbidden.
Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing but may be amended at discretion of the vendor. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.