We’ve all been there. Either your flight lands in the early morning or leaves late at night. In both scenarios, you’re faced with the dilemma of guarding your luggage all day or hoping your hotel or Airbnb will store it for a few hours.
The availability of hotel luggage storage depends on the individual hotel’s luggage storage policy. If you’re lucky, you can leave your luggage at your hotel before check-in or after check-out time. Even if you’re not a guest, some hotel bellhops will gladly store your luggage for a big enough tip. It could be a win-win situation.
Let’s explore a few frequently asked questions before you decide to store your luggage at the hotel.
Table of Contents hide
Understanding Hotel Luggage Storage Services
Can You Leave Luggage at a Hotel Before Check-In?
Do Hotels Hold Luggage after Check-out?
Can I Store My Luggage at a Hotel Even if I’m Not a Guest?
Can I Store My Luggage at the Airbnb?
Are There Any Alternatives to Hotel Luggage Storage?
Factors to Consider When Choosing Hotel Luggage Storage
Tips for a Smooth Luggage Storage Experience
Understanding Hotel Luggage Storage Services
Before we dive into the details of finding good luggage storage, let’s understand what the luggage storage services at hotels offer. Simply put, luggage storage services allow you to leave your luggage at a hotel before check-in or after check-out time. Hotels usually store your luggage in a secure area, and you can collect it later.
Types of Luggage Storage Options
There are generally two types of luggage storage options in hotels – free and paid. Some hotels offer free storage services for their guests, while others charge a nominal fee. Free storage is usually at the hotel’s discretion, depending on availability and peak seasons. In contrast, when you pay for the storage facility, hotels usually provide you with a receipt or tag to identify your luggage. This receipt ensures the security of your luggage and helps avoid any mix-ups.
Common Hotel Luggage Storage Policies
Hotels often have policies on what can and cannot be stored in their luggage rooms. Many hotels will not accept hazardous materials, such as explosives, poison, or flammable liquids. Additionally, hotels may have limitations on the size and weight of bags that they are willing to store. This is usually because of storage space limitations or logistic reasons. It is essential to inquire about the hotel’s policies before you make your reservation.
Can You Leave Luggage at a Hotel Before Check-In?
Most larger hotels (such as Premier Inn or Travelodge) allow early luggage drop off. While some smaller establishments offer hotel luggage storage before check-in, it’s always best to inquire about luggage storage when you book.
Do Hotels Hold Luggage after Check-out?
Larger hotels might allow you to store luggage at the hotel after check-out . But some hotels charge a fee to store luggage after check-out. You may be better off just booking an extra night.
Can I Store My Luggage at a Hotel Even if I’m Not a Guest?
Travelers often ask, “Will a hotel hold my luggage even if I’m not staying there?” The answer is usually “yes.” Hotel bellhops will often agree to store your luggage for a tip. Keep in mind that this arrangement is informal. While hotel employees may be able to find a somewhat secure place to store your bags, busy bellhops won’t be able to keep an eye on them constantly.
Can I Store My Luggage at the Airbnb?
When you’re planning an early arrival, you should find out ASAP if early luggage drop-off is allowed at your Airbnb. If your Airbnb doesn’t have an occupant booked after you, you may be able to store your luggage after check-out. Early Airbnb luggage drop-off is rarely available for high-turnover rentals.
Are There Any Alternatives to Hotel Luggage Storage?
Most hotels operate with a store-at-your-own-risk policy. Hotels may even require you to sign a waiver before storing your bags. And sometimes the luggage rooms in hotels look like they’ve been hit by the zombie apocalypse. A mountain of nearly identical bags sits piled on top of each other in a seemingly random fashion. The attendant is multitasking and can’t properly keep an eye on the hotel luggage hold. It’s not unusual for items to get damaged or lost. Occasionally, hotel guests even leave with the wrong bag by mistake.
Stasher
Fortunately, these days travelers have alternatives to hotel luggage storage. Stasher offers safe, affordable and convenient luggage storage at over 1000 locations in more than 200 cities worldwide. For a small flat-fee per bag per day, you can store your luggage at one of Stasher’s secure StashPoint locations. Stasher offers travelers a host of benefits, including:
- Convenience– Online booking is fast and easy. You’ll find StashPoint hosts near major tourist attractions and transportation centers. We’ve even partnered with Hotels.com. You can book Stasher luggage storage directly from the Hotels.com concierge app.
- Affordability– Stasher charges a flat fee of $6 per item in the US, and 5 euros throughout most of Europe. There are no size restrictions or hidden charges. That’s much cheaper than the tip you’ll have to pay a bellhop.
- Security– Stasher’s award-winning team personally vets each StashPoint host. We offer our customers free luggage insurance of $1000 for each item that you store with us.
- Trust– In 2019, Feefo gave Stasher their coveted Gold Trusted Service Award. Stasher maintains a 4.7/5 rating from nearly 18,000 customer reviews. Additionally, Stasher has earned endorsem*nts from the University of Oxford, Lonely Planet and the BBC.
Stasher helps you save money and have peace of mind when you travel. Choose Stasher for secure, affordable and convenient luggage storage.
Here’s our most popular cities:
- London
- Syndey
- Melbourne
- New York
- Gold Coast
- Miami
- San Diego
Luggage Storage at Airports and Train Stations
Many airports and train stations provide luggage storage solutions, which can be convenient for travelers. However, these facilities are often more expensive than those offered by hotels. Additionally, you have to transport your luggage to and from the airport or train station.
Independent Luggage Storage Facilities
Independent luggage storage facilities are often available in large cities, especially tourist destinations. These facilities don’t provide living spaces like hotels but offer secure storage facilities for your luggage. These services can be expensive but may be more convenient than storing your bags in a hotel, especially if the storage facility is closer to your destination.
Mobile Luggage Storage Services
Mobile luggage storage services are a relatively new feature in some cities. These services allow you to book luggage storage and have your luggage picked up from one location and then delivered to a different location, such as an airport or train station. These services can be expensive, but they are an excellent option if you’re running out of time.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Hotel Luggage Storage
When choosing a hotel luggage storage option, several factors should be considered. Here are the key factors:
Location and Accessibility
The hotel’s location and accessibility are crucial. Before making your hotel reservation, consider its proximity to the places you plan to visit. If the hotel is far away from the attractions you want to see, it might not be the best fit. Additionally, ensure that the storage area is easily accessible, so you don’t have to carry your luggage through the hotel or up stairs to store them.
Security Measures
The security of your storage area is paramount, especially when you are storing valuable items such as passports, cash, and electronic gadgets. Find out what kind of security measures the hotel has in place for its storage facility. Ideally, the storage area should be under surveillance, have a secure locking system, and only be accessible to staff members.
Storage Capacity and Size Limitations
Storage capacity and size limitations can vary from hotel to hotel. When making your reservation, inquire about the maximum size and weight limits of each bag you plan to store. If you have large luggage pieces, ensure that the hotel can accommodate them.
Pricing and Payment Options
Finally, consider the cost of the storage. While many hotels offer storage as a complimentary service, some may levy a fee. Inquire about the exact cost, how it is calculated, and the payment options available. You would not want any surprises when it’s time to pay.
Tips for a Smooth Luggage Storage Experience
Finally, whether you choose a hotel or an alternative solution, here are some tips to ensure a smooth luggage storage experience:
Packing and Labeling Your Luggage
Packing your luggage properly and labeling it will limit the chances of confusion when you pick it up.
Confirming Storage Availability and Hours
Check with the hotel on the availability of luggage storage and the opening hours of the storage room. Luggage storage services may have different timings.
Keeping Track of Your Luggage Receipt
Keeping your luggage receipt or tag safe ensures that you can identify and retrieve your belongings easily.
