When travelling far from home, having a comfortable place to stay is essential. For most travellers, this means booking a hotel room, where the standard check-in time is typically 3pm and check-out is at 12pm, as per the guidelines set by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC). However, a recent complaint has sparked a conversation about hotels imposing unreasonable check-in and check-out policies.
A Twitter user, known as @/netnetwork or Hakim H, shared his dissatisfaction after a stay at a hotel, highlighting what he felt was an unfair time policy. “You want people to support Malaysia Tourism, (but) The Ministry of Tourism needs to take action on this issue. I think it’s excessive that the check-in is at 4pm and check-out is at 11am,” he tweeted. Hakim also posed the question, “Should we boycott hotels with such policies? Who agrees with me?”
Hakim’s frustration resonated with many. Numerous commenters echoed his sentiment, pointing out how the check-in and check-out times have steadily shifted over the years, making things inconvenient for travellers. Many supported a return to the previous standard of 2pm check-in and 12pm check-out. Some users criticised hotels for taking too long to clean rooms, arguing that it’s not the customers’ responsibility if hotels fail to meet these timelines.
Several commenters noted that these changes were first implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow extra time for sanitisation but argued that now, with reduced cases, such policies should be reconsidered. One user wrote, “During COVID-19, it was understandable because rooms had to be thoroughly sanitized. But now, it feels excessive.”
However, not everyone agreed with the complaints. One user defended the hotels, stating that cleaning rooms, including bathrooms and other amenities, takes time and effort. While another commented that other countries have even stricter check-out times and that it’s not an issue unique to Malaysia.
Before the shift to 4pm check-in times, most hotels in Malaysia allowed guests to check in at 2pm and check out at 12pm. However, in recent years, the window has become smaller, making it difficult for customers to pack and leave in time or for those who have to wait hours for check-in. As complaints continue to grow, it raises the question of whether this issue will be addressed or if hotels will continue to reduce the time given to customers.
Source: Twitter
Sakinah contributed to this article.
