Late check-out: why you should implement it in your holiday accommodation

Keeping a record of the people staying in a hotel or holiday apartment is a legal obligation. Just as check-in is done upon arrival, we must also record the departure, and it is around this operation that the concept of late check-out has emerged.

What is check-out

It is the opposite action to check-in, a process in which the guest concludes their stay. They pay the cost of the stay, if they haven't done so already, hand over the keys, and leave.

A holiday apartment that has been occupied for a few days needs to undergo a process of cleaning and preparation before the next guest arrives, who might turn up at the accommodation on the same day the previous guest leaves. Therefore, to allow time to prepare the house, check-out usually happens in the early morning hours.

Late check-out

Late check-out is also a process of confirming the end of the stay; the difference is that it is done at a later time compared to the usual time for leaving the apartment.

For example, if your scheduled departure time for your guests is 10 AM, late check-out could allow them to leave their accommodation a couple of hours later, at 12 PM.

This implies that, as an owner of a holiday home, you have less time to prepare it for the next guest. Therefore, it is normal to demand compensation in return. Hence, late check-outs and their prices are a bit higher. In their accommodation rate, the guest is charged a little more if they wish to leave the apartment at a later time.

Reasons to offer late check-out in your holiday accommodation

The main reason is to improve customer experience, as there are many reasons why guests might be interested in leaving the apartment a little later:

• They can use the morning to pack their luggage, so they don't have to spend part of their last evening packing their bags.
• It allows them to sleep a little longer.
• It gives them time to make a final visit to a point of interest and then return for their luggage.
• It's a good option for them if their flight is not early.

How to incorporate late check-out

Offer it in your listings

In your accommodation listings, highlight the possibility of contracting this option and its price. You'll be surprised to see how many people are interested in it.

Adjust schedules with your cleaning team

If guests leave the apartment later, this affects the cleaners' work, so you might need to make adjustments to schedules.

Install an electronic lock

Check-out (in its late or normal version) will be easier for you and your guests if you install a smart lock system, like the one we offer at Raixer. This way you won't have to depend on each other; they can comfortably access the apartment upon arrival without waiting for someone to hand them the keys, and they can also leave on time, without having to find someone to return the keys to.

Late check-out is a growing trend in both hotels and tourist accommodation. If you want to stay current, do not hesitate to offer it to your guests.

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