Here are a few things to know about HotelsByDay, daytime hotel rooms, and how our service works. 

About HotelsByDay and Modular Hotel Rooms

What does HotelsByDay offer?

HotelsByDay provides hotel rooms for a block of hours at heavily negotiated rates so that guests can use a room for a few hours to relax, unwind from a layover, nap, work, meet in privacy — essentially leverage the early check-in or late check-out day-room model based on their needs.

Is HotelsByDay a service for booking hotels by the hour?

Our time-bands are predetermined and thus you cannot book a room by the hour. We don’t believe in rushing, which is why our time bands range from three hours up to 12 hours, and at a better value rate than booking by the minute or hour. 

What is a day use room?

A day use room is a room that is available for early morning check-in and late-afternoon, or early evening, check-out. For example, a popular time band on HotelsByDay lasts from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

Why do hotels offer day rooms?

Because it makes sense for everyone! HotelsByDay engineered flexible stays so that hotels can serve new customers and tap into additional revenue via rooms that would otherwise sit empty all day. 

Is there parking available via a day booking, and if so, how much is it?

Many hotels do offer a discount on day stay parking versus night stay parking, however, hotel parking accommodations vary. Please check our hotel description for the hotel in question to see a list of amenities. 

What amenities are included in the price of a day room? 

Most hotels provide HotelsByDay guests with all available amenities. However, some hotels may have restrictions to some amenities (e.g. free breakfast) and are subject to each individual property’s choice. Please check with your hotel’s front desk.

Do day rates fluctuate?

Yes, day room rates change based on the hotel’s availability. Hotels will set a rate on the website that can fluctuate based on demand and season.

Should I tip the housekeeping staff? 

Absolutely! Whether you’re staying in a room overnight or during the day, for one day or twelve, you should tip the housekeeping staff accordingly. Housekeeping is hard work. Be mindful and show your gratitude by tipping when possible! A handwritten note goes a long way, too. 🙂

**

Questions About Booking with HotelsByDay

How Do I Rent a Hotel Room with HotelsByDay?

Renting a room by the hour with HotelsByDay couldn’t be simpler. You can visit our homepage and simply search for where and when you’d like a hotel room. 

Read our booking policy.

Can I book a book a room for the same day?

Yes, HotelsByDay allows same-day, even last-minute hotel room bookings. However, please note that many hotels will close their inventory for same-day bookings past 1 p.m. their local time. 

Can I pay for my room in cash or check ?

Yes, you can pay by cash. Upon check-in, let the receptionist know you’d like to pay in cash. Don’t forget that you also need to cover incidentals, which are usually around $100 per booking, depending on the hotel.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to pay for your hotel room with a check regardless of if you’re booking a daytime or overnight room.

Can I book a room with a prepaid debit card?

No. Prepaid cards are not accepted by any hotel, due to security risk. A valid ID and credit card must always be presented at check-in of your day stay booking.

Should I confirm my booking with the hotel?

No — our bookings come manually and are entered into the hotel’s reservation system ONLY on the day of your check-in. All you have to do is to show up with a copy of your reservation, as well as a valid ID & credit card that match the name on your reservation. 

Please note that regardless if you pre-paid for the room or not, the hotel will momentarily charge your credit card for incidentals. They will refund the hold within three business days post-stay.

How many people can stay in a room?

Two adults are the maximum. Most hotels will consider a 10-year-old child as a full paying guest. Please also note that most hotels ask you to be at least 21 years old to book & check-in without an accompanying adult.

What type of room am I assigned for my day booking?

Generally, day use rooms are ‘run of the house’ — meaning that whatever room is vacant will be assigned to you. However, the hotel reserves the right to assign specific rooms on the website such as a ‘King Room’ or ‘Double Bed.’

Specific room assignments can also be requested at check-in. Make sure to ask the front desk for a room type that you prefer and they will assign it to you if they have the availability.

Hotels have set specific rooms for day stays, so generally you would be assigned what is available. Although you are more than welcome to request anything specific when checking in!

***

Modifying or Cancelling a Booking with HotelsByDay

What if I want to check in earlier/stay later, can the hotel deny me a room?

Yes, they can. Essentially, a day room is guaranteed for the hours listed, which has been extensively negotiated on your behalf. Any changes to booking times are subject to the hotel’s discretion.

Will the hotel keep my room if I arrive later?

Yes. The hotel is under contract to keep your room until one hour prior to your day room check-out time.

Can I extend my day booking to an overnight stay?

Possibly, but you must request it at the front desk upon your check-in. If the hotel has availability for a night stay, then you will simply be asked to pay for the normal nightly rate. You can stay until the standard check-out time on the next day.

What is the cancellation policy?

You have two options to book with HotelsByDay:

  1. You can “pay at hotel” which grants you a free cancellation up to the same day.  
  2. You can also select a “non-refundable” booking. This means that you’ll need to provide credit card details to book a day room. Once booked, the hotel will not allow us to change the date, cancel, or refund the stay.

See our booking policy for cancellation instructions.

I booked the wrong date, can you change the date of my booking?

Only if you booked a refundable room. If this is the case, we ask that you cancel your reservation and book again for the correct date. 

Other concerns? Give us a call at: +1-(917)-994-6284

The following two tabs change content below.

Yannis Moati

Founder at HotelsByDay
Yannis has a rich background of 15 years in travel, from guiding tours in Europe at a young age, to co-founding an exotic travel agency, and then directing a New York-based global tour operator company. Throughout his professional life, for both his clients and personal travels, Yannis had to always pull strings to get a more personalized hotel check-in or check-out times. Frustration turned to illumination, witnessing first-hand the important customer behavioral shifts of the ‘on-demand’ economy: something could be done in boosting hotel revenues by selling uncommitted inventory by day.