globetrotterxyz

My husband and I are researching flights between LAX and Kauai. For the return flight, a few of them don’t leave Kauai until late night (around 9 or 10 pm). Hotel check-out times are generally at noon, so it seems we have a few options on how to kill time between hotel check-out and the return flight time. If we would want to go to the beach and shower afterwards, we’d still need a room. I called the hotel (we’re looking at staying at the Sheraton in Poipu) and they said we could either:

1) Use a complementary room, but it’s only available on a first come, first serve basis
2) Pay a small extra fee for a late check-out (but they can only guarantee room availability the night before our request)
3) Pay for an extra night (only true way to guarantee ahead of time that we’ll have a room)

Option #2 seems reasonable, but I’m afraid of that room guarantee being only the night before. If there’s nothing available, then what? We’ll have to find something else to do that last day instead of enjoying one last beach day?

Has anyone had experience with late check-out requests (in Hawaii or at this hotel)? Do you think there might not be a problem with availability these days since hotel capacity is low?

In the past when Aloha Airlines was still operating, we flew home to Orange County and flights normally left Hawaii earlier in the day, so we’ve never had to deal with late check-outs. I appreciate any advice.

colombiana

Hi globetrotterxyz:
I am surprised the hotel told you that, the last two times I went I intentionally chose late flights home (I felt like I was getting an extra day in paradise) in Honolulu we stayed at the Royal Hawaiian (you know this property is part of sheraton) and they have a complementary room, the way it works the day of your departure they give you a key to that room you can leave your luggage there but a lot of other guests that are in the same boat as you have the same key to be able to do what want and have a place to shower prior to your flight, we went to the beach and left our luggage minus our valueables and to be on the safe side went back early our flight too was at 10:00 p.m. but we decide to shower and get ready early since this was our first time doing that we got to the suite around 5:00 pm. and it was empty lots of luggage but we were the first there, by the time the last one in our group took a shower people started arriving so it worked out great. When we went to Kauai it was a different story we stayed in a time share and they too had the room we left our luggage but I guess it was more people coming home at the same time as us and when we got there it was packed! we decided to stop by a beach and use the shower there instead but we did leave our luggage and it worked out great. Hope this helps you have a great time. Gina

sf7307

>>

Not sure what you're surprised about -- what she listed as No. 1 is exactly what you did.

colombiana

sf7303:
SURPRISED ABOUT THE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE PART OF IT SA

AAFrequentFlyer

What about leaving your luggage at the bell desk for storage and using the hotel's public shower facilities (I'm assuming they do have showers either at the pool area or in the workout room/spa area) once you're ready to refresh and change?

Orlando_Vic

Ask your hotel if they have a "day rate" to cover you from checkout until 6 PM or so.

_______________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

sf7307

Sorry, I read it differently than you do. I don't think they were saying "first come first serve and it'll be for your exclusive use". I thought it meant first come first serve meaning you get in line to use the bathroom and shower, just like you had to. Maybe she'll have to get that clarified.

suze

The hotel will keep your luggage at the front desk, that part's easy.

It's not perfect but there ARE outdoor showers & restrooms available at either end of Waikiki beach (by Fort de Russy & Kapiolani parks).

Are you sure the complimentary room at the hotel doesn't mean a shared space? As in that any guest can use it (not that you'd be unable to use it, only you might have to wait for someone else to finish)?

Another thought is hanging by the hotel pool, which always has a shower of some sort, instead of the beach.

sf7307

>>

I don't know what else it COULD mean. If it isn't shared, then everyone who's leaving late would want/get their own. I think they have ONE ROOM that is available on a shared basis to everyone.

ncounty

8 or 9 pm is a lot to ask of a hotel, but I have asked and gotten late check outs as late as 2 or 4 pm without extra charge. These courtesies count with me more than anything else a hotel could do and that hotel will have my loyalty.

I would ask if they can let you have your room till 3 or 4 pm and stay in the room for the longest time till you have to leave, then check your luggage with the bell hop and go do a drive, dinner, sightseeing etc. with the rest of your time.

ncounty

btw, there are otoh many times that I have to check out at 7 am so I figure it balances out.

NeoPatrick

colombiana, I'm confused. You're saying you put your luggage into a room where a lot of other people have access to it and to their luggage as well, and then you take your chances you can go there and take a shower in privacy and that your luggage will still be there?

colombiana

NeoPatrick: Good morning, yes that is correct you leave your luggage in a suite where other guests have the same card as you and also leave their luggage there. You do take your chances of someone taking your stuff, I have only done it in Hawaii hoping all guests are as honest as I. I can't think why anyone would take someone else's clothes.

NeoPatrick

"I can't think why anyone would take someone else's clothes."

I can't either, but from the number of reports of luggage being stolen from airports, trains, hotel rooms, trunks of cars, and various other places, it obviously does happen.

globetrotterxyz

Yes, I think what the hotel told me about option #1 is a shared space. I'd prefer something private so I don't have to feel like I'm rushed if someone's waiting to use the shower. I guess that's why the other 2 options are more appealing.

Orlando_Vic - the day rate you're suggesting to ask for is option #2.

colombiana

NeoPatrick:
I do know what you mean what I was trying to say you are in Hawaii hopefully everyone who has access to that room is on the same situation as you and I hate to think you can’t trust anyone anymore specially at a hotel, and in Hawaii don’t get me wrong I do exercise caution anywhere I go and do take my valuables with me but I like to think there are places where you can leave and know your things will be there when you get back.
Globetrotterxyz:
So sorry in your original post you did not express your need for privacy. Hope it works out for you either way that should be the least of your worries you will be in paradise enjoy it.

suze

This seems real important to you, why not just book the room for the extra night?

globetrotterxyz

Well, the difference in cost between options 3 and 2 are over $200. Going with option 2 and just paying a small fee rather than an extra night is better from a cost perspective, but we run the risk of if the hotel does not having anything available (they won't guarantee a room until the night before). So the question is how likely would the hotel be filled up and not have a single room available, especially considering low hotel capacity these days?

carolyn

Could you ask the front desk to check your main luggage and just put a small bag with things to change into in the Option 2 room?

suze

Have you asked your question (about the late check out probability) directly to the hotel front desk? It would be worth a call or email, and see if you can get on a 1st name basis with someone there. That always seems to get me better service, at least at the smaller hotels.
I wouldn't be comfortable predicting room availability, though you're right, I would assume there are always empty rooms, but who knows?