"Ma'am, check-in is not until 3pm"

Raquel de Milo's Avatar
Whoever is telling you that you cannot check in till 3, just look directly at them and address them by their name and ask to speak to a manager, so you may inquire about any rooms that are clean and available or you will just have to go elsewhere to be accommodated.
Most likely no one wants to make it a bigger deal than it really is and you can check into a room if it is clean and available.
That lady just does not want to do her job. Most of my incalls are for early afternoon so I usually check in in the mornings. I don't even bother calling in to request an early check in. I just go to the hotel of my choice that morning, and ask if there are any rooms available right now. People rarely say no to your face and I have never been turned down or charged extra thus far *knock on wood* Same goes with early check-out, usually you cannot check out same day before midnight. I tell them I can't stay until then and hand them my room card. They say okay and I leave.

Plus sometimes walk-in rates are actually cheaper than paying to pre-book. I have booked for less during a walk in vs. prebooking rates online

And if anybody was wondering, I book 3 star hotels or higher. I particularly like the Marriott chain of hotels and Embassy suites. It's also your demeanor that helps. I am not aggressive and ask with a smile but I walk in like I am on a mission and my tone of voice denotes that even though I am asking for available rooms, you're only response will be if I would like a double or a king suite (always king, floor 3 or above, no connected doors).