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On the day of checkout at a Ritz-Carlton hotel or resort, it can be a lifesaver if you can score a late checkout, particularly if you have a late flight departure that evening. 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 – we are delighted to help. We can secure prioritized late checkout, prioritized room upgrades, free breakfast for two, and more at luxury hotels for all our clients, so get in touch if you could make use of any of these perks. You will also get all your usual loyalty points and perks when you book with us.
And where should you stay? We have reviewed the best Ritz-Carlton hotels in the world along with the best Ritz-Carltons in Europe and the best Ritz-Carltons in the US. One of our favourites is the Ritz-Carlton Maui pictured below:
Read on for our superb tips below to increase your chances of securing a late checkout at a Ritz-Carlton hotel.
1. Book Via An Agent That Specializes In Late Checkout
Book via a specialist agent that focuses on prioritizing late checkouts. If you book your next Ritz-Carlton stay via our luxury travel concierge, you will get prioritized late checkout, free breakfast, hotel credit, welcome amenities, and more.
Free late checkout means you can access your room for longer and enjoy the hotel’s facilities and pool for longer, with a place to escape. This benefit can be hugely valuable if you have a late flight, so we highly recommend using a specialized agent (like us—shameless plug!) who can help you with this.
Our luxury agents have direct contacts at every Ritz-Carlton hotel and can request and may be able to confirm late checkout in advance.
3. Become a Titanium Loyalty Member
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 Marriott, the loyalty scheme is Marriott Bonvoy, and if you are a Titanium Member, which is the top tier member, you are apparently guaranteed late checkout. On the Bonvoy website, it currently says (at the time of writing):
Late 4:00 pm Checkout guaranteed at all Participating Properties, except Resorts, Convention Hotels, and Design Hotels™, where it is based upon availability. Marriott Vacation Club®, Marriott Grand Residence Club®, and Vistana properties are also excluded from this benefit.
At Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy™, Platinum Elite Members and above are guaranteed a late checkout up until 2:00 pm local time and may request to check-out as late as 4:00 pm local time based upon availability.
This is a benefit reserved exclusively for members with Marriott Bonvoy® Titanium Elite Status. Even if you are not Titanium, the higher your membership tier, the more priority the hotel will likely give to your late checkout. So, it is worth concentrating your stays on one hotel brand to increase your chances of late checkout ongoing.
What does this mean in reality? You should be guaranteed late checkout at 4:00 pm at Ritz-Carlton hotels as long as the property is participating and is not a resort or convention hotel.
I know what you’re thinking. This is as clear as mud and probably only relevant to some vacationers. Most Ritz-Carltons you will want to holiday in will be resort hotels in the Caribbean, Hawaii, or on a beach somewhere. If you’re staying in a city, how do you know if your hotel is considered a convention hotel?
You are right, this late checkout is not relevant for resort hotels and it is not clear which Ritz-Carlton hotels are considered convention hotels, but having elite status combined with the benefits you get booking via our luxury travel concierge is probably your best bet to secure free late checkout.
2. Ask in Advance
Consider requesting a late checkout time when you book your reservation. By inquiring about this possibility early on, you give the hotel ample time to accommodate your request.
Whether you communicate through your booking agent or directly with the hotel, expressing your preferences ahead of time can increase the likelihood of a favorable response.
Additionally, some hotels provide online check-in services that enable you to specify preferences, such as a late checkout request, before your arrival. Keep an eye out for this option or ask your agent to assist you in exploring it.
4. Stay Regularly
if you are a repeat guest at a particular Ritz-Carlton hotel, all your benefits will likely be prioritized. You are likely to get a better room, you are more likely to get a welcome amenity, and crucially, the hotel is more likely to try their best to shuffle rooms around to give you late checkout.
6. Explain Your Situation
Reception staff are real people, so if you appeal to their kind nature and explain why you need a late checkout, like a late flight departure or a special occasion, these details may help staff justify your late checkout to management. This may make your late checkout more likely.
6. Offer to Pay
In some cases, offering to pay an additional fee for a late checkout or an extra half-day stay may increase your chances of success. We recently had a client who booked a Ritz-Carlton hotel via our luxury travel concierge, and because his flight was arriving at 6:00 am he needed his room at 7:00 am. This was too early for a free early checkin but the hotel happily offered him a half-day fee so that he could access his room first thing in the morning rather than at 3:00 pm in the afternoon. Our agents were able to negotiate this as we have direct contact with management at every single Ritz-Carlton hotel.
7. Book When There’s Low Occupancy
Hotels are more likely to gift late checkouts when occupancy is low. It might be worth booking your stay in low seasons or incorporating an unpopular night at the end of your Ritz-Carlton stay. For example, if you are traveling to a hotel for the weekend, it is probably better to stay on a Saturday night rather than a Friday night. This is because, on a Friday night stay, you will checkout on Saturday, which tends to be one of the most popular nights of the week, particularly at hotels used for weekend breaks, so you are unlikely to get late checkout on a Saturday.
Conversely, if you checkout on a Sunday, Sundays are often the least busy nights at a hotel, so, you are far more likely to be able to secure late checkout at Ritz-Carlton and late checkout at other Marriott hotels.
8. Can You Use Hotel Facilities After Checkout?
If all else fails and you can’t get a late checkout, some hotels permit you to use all the facilities until you leave and have a communal room or changing area to use and shower in.
This means you can enjoy all the hotel facilities, the pool, the lounges, the gym, and the beach, even without having a room. You can then clean up in the hotel’s shared changing rooms before heading to the airport.
Our booking agents can determine whether the hotel you want to stay in has this option, as this facility is a huge advantage if you have a late flight.
9. Call Reception Again On The Day Of Checkout
If you can’t secure a late checkout during check-in, consider following up with the front desk staff on the checkout day. Sometimes, last-minute accommodations can be arranged or juggled, depending on hotel availability.
10. Book Club Lounge Access
Ritz-Carlton has some of the best club lounges in the world. If your hotel doesn’t allow late checkout, consider paying for access to the club lounge. You could book a club room for your entire stay or try to book it for the last night.
A club lounge is a place to relax and grab a complimentary bite to eat and drink. These lounges are brilliant and almost as good as having your own room while you wait around in the hotel for your flight. Lounge access late into the evening can be very useful for an extended stay.
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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.