Sometimes your travel plans don’t line up perfectly. Maybe you have a long layover. Maybe you landed early, and your hotel check-in isn’t until mid-afternoon. Or maybe your flight isn’t until late at night, and you had to check out of your room that morning. What are you supposed to do with yourself—and your luggage—for all those hours in between?
That’s where HotelsByDay comes in.
What is HotelsByDay?
HotelsByDay.com is a service that connects travelers who need hotel rooms during the day with hotels that have empty rooms they’re not using. Instead of paying for a full night, you can book a room for just a few hours—typically blocks like 9 AM to 5 PM, 10 AM to 4 PM, or other windows based on availability.
It’s an excellent option if you need a place to:
- Freshen up after a red-eye or before a long-haul flight
- Store your luggage safely while you explore a city
- Take a nap or shower between flights
- Get some work done in peace and quiet
Our Experience Using HotelsByDay
We used HotelsByDay to book a day room at the H Hotel near LAX before a flight to Singapore.
Our international flight wasn’t leaving until late at night, but we arrived in Los Angeles that morning. Instead of hanging out at the airport all day—or dragging our bags around town—we booked a nearby hotel room for the afternoon.
It was so worth it.
We were able to check in early, nap, shower, change clothes, and do some plane spotting from the rooftop. Then, we headed to the airport feeling refreshed and spent some time in the Star Alliance Lounge before our 17-hour flight.
Things to Know
- Availability opens closer to the stay date: Many hotels don’t release their day-use inventory until a few weeks in advance. If you’re planning ahead, keep checking back—the availability often improves the closer you get to your travel date.
- Airport hotels are often ideal: Properties near major airports are frequent partners on HotelsByDay. Many of them offer complimentary shuttle service, which makes logistics much easier if you’re dealing with a long layover or early arrival.
- You may not need the full block—but you’ll still pay for it: Even if a room is available from 9 AM to 5 PM, you’re not required to stay the entire time. Think of it as a flexible window rather than a strict schedule. That said, you’ll typically pay the full rate for the listed time block, regardless of how many hours you use.
Final Thoughts
When you’re dealing with long layovers, awkward arrival times, or want to avoid feeling gross before a long flight, having access to a hotel room for a few hours can be a game-changer. HotelsByDay turns what could be an exhausting travel day into one that feels manageable—even enjoyable.
Next time you face an awkward travel gap, check if a day room might be the perfect fix.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
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