The first few hours at a resort shape the rest of the week. A room problem found on day one can be fixed in minutes, while the same problem found on day five can cost you a day. This checklist is built for the arrival afternoon, when you are tired from travel but still have time to put things right. It works for a large all-inclusive and for a small hotel, and none of it costs anything.
Before you reach the desk
Have your confirmation, passport and payment card to hand, along with any special requests you made when booking. If you booked through an agent or a package, have their reference as well as the resort’s. Check whether your arrival falls before the standard check-in time, and be ready for the possibility that your room is not yet ready. Many resorts will store bags and let you use the beach and pool in the meantime. Our carry-on checklist explains what to keep with you for exactly that situation.
At check-in: five questions worth asking
- Is the room the category I booked, and is the location what I requested?
- What is included in my rate, and what costs extra? Ask about premium drinks, specialty restaurants, activities and the spa.
- Are there any charges to be paid at the resort, such as a destination fee, and is a deposit held on my card?
- How do I book a la carte dinners, and when does booking open? Our guide to a la carte restaurant reservations explains why this matters at big resorts.
- Who do I contact if I have a problem, and what is the number from the room?
Ask for a resort map and a printed activity schedule. If the resort uses an app, download it while you are on the lobby Wi-Fi.
Inspect the room before you unpack
Spend five minutes checking the room before you settle in. Look for the following and report problems straight away, in person or by phone, so there is a record:
- The air conditioning works and can be controlled.
- The lock, balcony door and safe work properly.
- The bed, sheets and bathroom are clean, and there is hot water.
- The room matches the view and location you booked.
- There is no smell of damp, smoke or pesticide that bothers you.
- Noise from entertainment areas, kitchens or building work is acceptable.
If you need to change rooms, ask politely and early. Rooms are most easily changed on the first evening, before the resort fills up. Our guide to choosing a room at a large resort has more detail on what to look for.
Set up the safe and photograph your valuables
Set a code for the room safe, and test it before you leave anything inside. Store passports, spare cards, cash and electronics there. Take a photo of your passport and cards, and keep the images somewhere secure and separate from the originals. Our article on resort safes and valuables explains what to lock away and what to leave at home.
Walk the property
Take a short walk before dinner to learn the layout. Find the nearest restaurants, the main pool, the beach access, the guest services desk and the route back to your room in the dark. Note the beach flag system, and ask what the colours mean on this stretch of coast. Our guide to rip currents and beach flags explains why that is worth doing early. Check where drinking water is available and whether the tap water is safe for brushing teeth.
Book the things that fill up
At a busy resort, the best a la carte tables, spa slots, excursions and some activities fill up in the first days. Before you relax, decide what matters most and book it. That might be one special dinner, a spa treatment or a day trip. If you want to book outside the resort, our guide to resort desk or independent excursions explains the trade-offs.
Sort out connectivity and money
Check how your phone will work abroad, and connect to the resort Wi-Fi if you need it. If you are relying on an eSIM, test it now rather than on the last day. Break a larger note into small bills for tips and small purchases, and ask about the exchange rate at the desk before you use it. Our guide to cash, cards and currency has the details.
Take it easy
After travel, the best thing is often to do very little. Drink water, eat something light, put on sun protection if you are heading outside and get a good night’s sleep. Jet lag and long travel days make people careless about sun, alcohol and the sea. A calm first evening sets up a good week, and with the practical points done, you can enjoy the rest of it.