Pre-extra magic hour hotel check in questions

[jenjersnap]

In order to make an 8 am EMH at DCA, what time would you recommend arriving at PPH to check in?

Also, will we able to park there though, of course, our room is unlikely to be ready until later in the day?

Let me sneak one more question in: Do they text you when your room is ready?

 

[SFMommy]

I would check-in by at least 7:00 so you can park your car (yes you can park there even if your room isn't ready yet), store your luggage, check-in, etc. and be walking to the park by 7:30.

 

[frank430316]

Your arrival time really depends on how early you want to get to rope drop. The lobby should be pretty empty in the morning (unless you hit a rush of people checking out), but I would count on at least 1/2 hour to get checked in and to have them store the luggage. Then 15 to 20 minutes to walk to the entrance, quicker if you really push, longer if you enjoy the walk (or stop for a coffee). So I would give myself an hour before I wanted to be at the entrance - 6:30 to get there by 7:30 for 8 EMH. BTW you can use the entrance in the CGH, which is much closer than the main entrance, but it tends to get very crowded in the mornings, and the line moves much slower than the main entrance as well (two turnstiles only). You could check it out, since you will be somewhat close, but you probably want to go on thru DTD for the main entrances.

No problem to park in the hotel lot (just tell the attendant that you are checking in), but you will be charged for the day.

And yes, they text you when your room is ready, you are free to return at anytime after that to get settled in.

 

[jenjersnap]

Sounds good! Thanks to you both for answering.