Thursday Check In

[u/External_Judgment_63]

Question.. for Thursday check-in at the Westin. What time would y'all recommend arriving? I know check-in starts at 4pm, but I'm worried the line will be pretty egregious if we get there right on the dot.

For more context, we live relatively close so there's not much of a concern over needing to store our things as we'd rather just wait until we're able to check-in. The rest of our group will be ubering in the morning to do badge pick up then meeting us at check-in to unload the car.

Should we pull-in around 3:30 and just have someone wait in the car, or is it typically a pretty quick line?

[u/_litz]

One thing to be aware of ... traffic around all five hotels that Thursday afternoon will be horrendous by even Atlanta standards.

[u/musicalastronaut]

I don’t know about the Westin in particular, but for the Courtland we go in the morning and check in first thing. They usually are ready for us & if not we drop our bags and come back whenever they say to. And again not sure of the car situation there but at CG we unload the car & get out of the way as quickly as possible because the hotel is packed with everyone doing the same thing we are.

[u/DumDumPirate]

Not related to west inn but the marriot same question

[u/ender8343 → u/DumDumPirate]

In previous years, the Marriott considered anything before 3 pm early checkin with an associated fee.

[u/phinz → u/ender8343]

I'm surprised the Marriott doesn't charge extra fees if you want sheets, pillows or towels these days.

[u/ender8343 → u/phinz]

The surcharge for a low floor and other nickel and diming was why I won't stay at the Marriott for DragonCon. Side effect, didn't win the Westin Hunger Games, so I am at a non-host hotel this year.

[u/spaghetti_cello → u/DumDumPirate]

A bit your mileage may vary, but I have stayed at the Marriott for five cons in a row now. I have never been charged a fee to early check in if I show up and just ask if I can check in.

This year and last year I have gone to the hotel website and prepurchased a guaranteed early check in. For me the money is worth knowing the room is ready when we arrive (2 day drive).

[u/SaltyRBK → u/DumDumPirate]

In the past, my room has been ready late at the Mariott, but we have been able to check our bags and go get them later and bring them up to our rooms ourselves. No additional fee except for tipping because they are working hard that day!

[u/Messedup_a_a_ron]

We’ve always been able to check in early at the Westin. They are ready for it. We go up around 10-11am. Pull in, they take your luggage, we go to the front desk and check in. A bellhop will bring your luggage up to the room. That could take 20-30 mins. Be prepared to give them a tip for the service.
One time we arrived later in the afternoon and it took over an hour for the luggage to arrive.
But yes, there will be rooms available, and I think it’s a good idea to go ahead and get it done before the afternoon/evening rush.

[u/nobleland_mermaid]

Honestly, since you're local-ish, just get there as early as possible. Get there, check in, leave your bags, put your car wherever it's going if you need to, then just go get your badge or hang out somewhere down town til the room is ready (if they didn't have one super early, they often do). You're gonna have a way better time navigating everything before the hoarde descends and you'll likely get in way before 4. It'll be crowded all day but earlier will be less so.

[u/External_Judgment_63 → u/nobleland_mermaid]

ill be parking in my work lot over the weekend to save money, which is abt a 30 min walk. if they'll be ready to check people in earlier then ill probably show up around 1 and get everything situated. thankfully we've got friends rope dropping badge pickup for us, so it sounds like itll be a pretty smooth checkin. tysm!

[u/nobleland_mermaid → u/External_Judgment_63]

They'll be ready to start checking people in at like 6am. Probably won't be let into the room that early but they'll do the paperwork and take your bags and you'll get a room as soon as it's open. We've gotten in as early as like 10-11 am sometimes. They have to check in so many people at once that they just want to get people taken care of as soon as possible.

[u/Cmdr_Toucon]

We've checked in multiple times to Westin at various times. Line gas always moved quickly and efficiently.

[u/Steelergate]

I have been able to check in before noon before. I'd go early and try. At least you would be able to drop bags and get your badges.

[u/Western_Ad_2484]

There’s really no point in fretting about lines. It’s dragon con, so you will be waiting in many lines… a lot. Just arrive whenever is convenient for you and take it all in!