6 Stages of The Guest Check-In Procedure

The hotel guest check-in procedure involves all stages from the arrival of a guest to the issuance of the room key to the guest; 1) ReceivingReceiving is Accepting delivery of merchandise that has been ordered or is expected; and recording s... and RegistrationThe formality at arrival of the guest. 2) Allocation of the room 3) Secure advance Payment 4) Information service 5) Complete the check-in formalities 6) Open the guest folio.

In the case of manual or semi-automated operation systems, the process begins as the guests arrive at a hotel and are greeted by the front office staff, after which they complete the registration formalities, and finally, the guests are assigned rooms and issued the room key by the front office personnel. In a fully automated system, the same activity is performed automatically by self-service terminals located in the hotel lobby.

The procedure for normal check-in may be summarised in the following 6 stages:

Stage 1: Receiving and Registration

Receive the guest in front of the house

• Open the door and welcome the guest.
•  The doorman informs the bell desk to pick up the guest’s baggage.
•  Bring the luggage and baggage into the lobby (In case the bell desk team is not available then the doorman should assist with the baggage.)
•  EscortA person; usually employed by a tour operator; who accompanies atour from departure to return and se... the guest up to the reception desk (usually done by the bellboy/porter)
•  Provide welcome drink and welcome gift if any (Like SpiceSpice - 1) Any number of aromatic vegetable products used to season or flavour food (eg: Cardamom; C... Garland, Spice box, Juice, etc.)

Receive the guests at the reception

• Welcome the guest promptly with a cheerful and pleasant smile.
•  Address with the appropriate surname, if known.
•  Request for the reservation details like guest’s last name, confirmation no., booking source, etc.
•  Request for the guest’s ID card or passport.
•  Request for the guest’s business card.

RegisterRegister is the Process of filling in the registration card at check-in. the guest – Complete the registration card or register the guest

• Verify the information on the registration against the reservation ensuring the accuracy of name, date, and payment mechanism.
•  Stamp check-in time on the registration card.
•  Show check-in in the hotel software/PMS.
•  Carry out the final check of the registration card for the guest’s signature.
•  Discuss room preference with the guest as per the availability, or select an available room that is “ready to let” and allocate the room.
•  Take note of the expected departure details.
•  Take note of the airport drop, any special requests, etc.

Stage 2: Allocation of the room

• Allocation of the room means assigning a vacant and ready (VR) room to the guest for staying (if this was not done already).
•  For repeat guests assign room as per the preference.
•  To allocate a guest room, accurate room status information is required. For this purpose, a room status board or room rack is kept in the reception.
•  When the room has been allocated, the reception should; BlockAn agreed-upon number of rooms set aside for members of a group planning to stay in a hotel. or code the room as sold.
•  Prepare a key card of related room number by entering the arrival and departure date, and rate, and offer it to the guest for signature.
•  Give the room key to either the guest or the bellboy.
•  Record guest arrivals on the daily arrival list.

Stage 3: Secure Advance PaymentAdvance Payment is the Money requested by the receptionist at the check-in from a guest who has not ...

• Advance payment should be made for security purposes. It is usually done by accepting a cash deposit or taking a credit card.
•  While handling advance deposit, whether cash/ cheque, always:
•  Issue a receipt for cash/ cheque and record the payment in the guests ‘ledger.
•  Accept credit cards and evaluate for their credit limit and availability.
•  Get the imprint of the card and obtain a guest signature.
•  Get a pre-authorization (pre-auth) from the CreditCredit is a decrease in an asset or an increase in a liability; or an amount of money the hotel owes... Card company or EDC machine for the required amount and record the same to the reservation.

Stage 4: Information Service

The receptionist is responsible for informing guests about the facilities and services offered by the hotel. This helps the guests to familiarize themselves with the hotel facilities and also to increase sales. At this point, the receptionist should;

• Acknowledge the guest about the hotel’s activities, facilities, and service with direction and location.
•  Enquire if the guest requires a wake-up call. If so, record it correctly.

Stage 5: Complete the check-in formalities

After the check-in formalities are completed;

• The bellboy or the GRE should escort the guest up to the allocated room.
•  Inform other departments and sections about the guest’s arrival by arrival notification slip.

Stage 6: Open the guest folio

• Open guest bill/ folio/folder and clear any old bill copies.
•  Record the key information for billing purposes (room rate, number of nights, departure date, and mode of payment).
•  File the bill in the guests’ folio box together with the completed registration card.