Michael Turner
Registered guests should use the bell desk for short-term baggage storage. Front desk staff accept suitcases before check-in and after check-out; same-day holds are typically complimentary for guests, while non-registered visitors may face a nominal fee.
Procedure: present a photo ID and reservation confirmation, receive a numbered claim tag, and state an expected retrieval time. Oversized items or storage beyond 24–48 hours commonly incur charges and require written documentation; long-term deposits need advance approval from reservations or the concierge.
Valuables policy: The property limits liability for stored belongings–keep passports, cash and electronics in an in-room safe or with the concierge safe under signed custody. Always request a written receipt noting condition and storage duration; arrange separate insurance or a secure courier for high-value items.
Operational note: the bell desk/concierge at this downtown LA IHG hotel often operates 24/7, but policies and fees vary–check the reservation confirmation or contact the reservations/concierge team for current terms before arrival.
Short-term bag storage policy at the IHG downtown tower
Front-desk storage for bags and suitcases is available to registered guests; prior notice to reservations is recommended for early arrivals or late departures.
Common practice: complimentary same-day holds; overnight or multi-day retention often requires written authorization and may carry a nominal fee. A claim ticket and ID are typically issued at drop-off; retain that ticket for retrieval.
High-value items (electronics, jewelry, travel documents) should remain on-person or placed in the in-room safe–property liability for stored items is limited, so request written limits and insurance details before handing over valuables.
Extended storage (more than one week) usually needs advance arrangement with housekeeping or the front office; ask reservations for maximum retention period, daily or flat fees, and any storage cut-off times for pickups.
Bell service handles transfers between vehicle and the desk for a porter charge (commonly $5–$15 per item); tipping is customary for handling and delivery to rooms.
Documentation best-practices: photograph contents, keep the claim ticket, provide a contact phone number, and report discrepancies immediately to the front office. For a compact carry-on with built-in charging for transit and short-term holds, see best luggage carry on with usb chargers.
What to confirm before arrival
Ask reservations for storage hours, maximum hold duration, fee schedule, required identification, and whether CCTV-monitored storage or locked rooms are used.
Bell-desk storage availability and operating hours
Store bags at the bell desk: staff accept suitcases, backpacks and parcels and hold them during posted hours – daily 07:00–22:00; after-hours retrieval can be arranged for a fee.
- Posted schedule: 07:00–22:00 every day; seasonal adjustments occasionally apply, check with the front desk on arrival.
- Short-term policy: first 24 hours typically complimentary; extended holds charged $10–$20 per day with an itemized receipt.
- ID and verification: government photo ID required at drop-off and collection; reservation name must match presented ID.
- High-value items: avoid leaving jewelry, large cash amounts or irreplaceable electronics at the bell desk – use the in‑house safe or in‑room safe instead.
- Security measures: each item tagged with a claim check; controlled storage room under camera coverage and regular security rounds.
- After-hours retrieval: available by supervised appointment; out-of-hours service fee typically $25–$50 depending on time.
- Lost-item process: submit a missing-item claim with proof of ownership; claims handled faster when receipt numbers and tag IDs are provided at drop-off.
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What fees, size restrictions and maximum holding periods apply to stored bags?
Registered guests receive complimentary short-term storage for the first 24 hours; after that, handling fees apply. Common charges: $10 per item per additional 24-hour period; a one-time oversized/heavy handling fee of $25 for pieces that require extra handling; special-item fees for instruments, sports gear or fragile pieces typically range $15–50. Shipping arranged by the property is billed separately and posted to the guest folio.
Size and weight limits
Standard acceptance guideline: maximum 62 linear inches (length + width + height) and 50 lb (≈23 kg) per piece without special equipment. Items exceeding those dimensions or weight require advance notice, may incur the oversized handling fee, and might be placed in off-site storage. Valuables (cash, jewelry, travel documents) should not be deposited in general storage because liability and insurance coverage are limited.
Maximum holding periods and unclaimed items
On-property storage is normally available up to 30 days. Extended arrangements beyond 30 days can sometimes be made for a monthly fee and a signed storage agreement. If items remain unclaimed after the agreed period, the property will attempt contact; absent response, shipment at the guest’s expense or disposal may follow according to hotel policy. Verify exact rates, size limits and maximum holding periods with hotel staff before depositing items.
What identification, authorization and labeling does the hotel require to store bags and personal items?
Present a government-issued photo ID plus a reservation confirmation or room key at the bell desk and sign the storage authorization before items are accepted; retain the numbered claim ticket until collection.
Required documentation and procedures: staff records the item count and issues sequential claim tags with matching numbers/barcodes; every accepted piece must display a tag attached to a handle or strap and a brief written description (color, size, distinguishing marks). Third-party or courier drop-offs demand written guest authorization with guest signature and a photocopy of the guest ID, or a preauthorized company code plus courier ID.
| Requirement | Accepted Forms / Details | How it is recorded |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Passport, state ID, driver’s license with photo | Front-desk/bell staff log guest name and ID type; staff initials on claim ticket |
| Proof of stay | Room key, reservation confirmation number, folio | Confirmation number entered on ticket; linked to room/account in PMS |
| Authorization | Guest signature on storage form; for third-party a guest-signed written authorization plus copy of guest ID | Authorization scanned or attached to ticket record; staff initials and timestamp |
| Tagging / labeling | Adhesive numbered tag on each item; tag must show guest name/confirmation/brief description | Tag number matched to claim ticket and entered into log (paper or electronic) |
| Claim ticket | Numbered receipt given to the person who dropped off items; required at retrieval | Ticket number cross-checked with stored item record and ID at release |
| High-value items | Declared separately, placed in sealed container or safe, separate waiver signature required | Separate high-value log entry, manager approval, copy of waiver attached to storage record |
| Third-party / courier drops | Courier ID plus preauthorization code, or guest-signed authorization with ID photocopy | Courier company name, driver ID, package count and timestamps logged |
| Inspection and access | Hotel staff may inspect contents for prohibited items; access only to authorised personnel | Inspection results noted on ticket; chain-of-custody entries recorded for any transfers |
| Bulky equipment & unusual items | Prior approval required; declare exact dimensions and weight (example reference: best cutting self propelled lawn mower) | Special handling instructions and space allocation recorded; manager sign-off required |
At collection, present the matching claim ticket and the same photo ID used at drop-off; staff will verify tag number against the record and log the release with timestamp and staff initials.
What liability limits and insurance options apply if personal items are lost or damaged?
Request a written statement of the hotel’s liability limits and required storage conditions before handing any bags to staff; this document will be the primary basis for any internal claim.
Common liability terms and practical expectations
Hotels typically set limited liability for items held by bell or front-desk personnel. Typical ranges observed across urban full-service properties: $50–$200 per item and $200–$1,000 aggregate for items not placed in a locked safe. Higher-value items (jewelry, cameras, high-end electronics) are often excluded from standard coverage unless deposited into a hotel safe or covered by a declared-value agreement that may require an additional fee. Cash and negotiable instruments are frequently excluded or subject to very low caps. Obtain a written receipt that states the accepted item list, the stated liability limit, and any exclusions at transfer time.
Insurance options and claim workflow
Available recovery routes: (1) hotel’s own property-loss claim process; (2) travel insurance policies with baggage coverage; (3) homeowner/renter insurance (contents off-premises), and (4) credit-card purchase or travel-protection benefits. Travel policies commonly offer $500–$3,000 total baggage coverage with per-item sublimits and higher coverage only if items were declared or scheduled. Homeowner/renter policies may cover replacement value minus deductible and often require proof of ownership. Many premium cards provide secondary coverage for theft/damage when travel is charged to the card; verify limits and claim deadlines with the card issuer.
Documentation required for all claim types: original receipts or proof of purchase, photos of damaged items (if applicable), the hotel’s written receipt/acceptance, a hotel claim form or incident number, and a police report if theft is alleged. File the hotel claim immediately and escalate to insurer within the policy notification window (commonly 20–30 days for initial notice; some insurers allow longer for full documentation). Keep copies of all correspondence, request a written denial if the hotel rejects liability, and forward that denial to insurers or to the card benefits administrator to support an external claim.
Nearby alternatives: airport baggage services, self-storage and same-day shipping
Prioritize airport-side short-term holding for same-day needs, national self-storage for multi-day or weekly holds, and same-day couriers for urgent point-to-point transfers.
Airport options: LAX terminals offer limited on-site storage; best results come from third-party networks (Bounce, Vertoe, LuggageHero) that place secure drop-off points inside or adjacent to terminals and partner hotels. Typical rates: $6–20 per item per day for short holds; same-day drop-off available with online reservation. Bring government ID at drop-off; check terminal access rules and TSA restrictions for batteries, liquids and hazardous goods before arrival.
Self-storage chains: Public Storage, Extra Space Storage, CubeSmart and U-Haul have multiple branches within a 10–20 minute drive. Typical pricing in central metro locations: 5×5 climate-controlled units $60–120/month; 10×10 $120–250/month. Many facilities allow month-to-month rental, require a government ID and a credit card, and offer optional tenant insurance ($8–20/month). Look for facilities with drive-up access or 24/7 gate hours when frequent retrievals are expected.
Same-day shipping services: FedEx SameDay (fedex.com/sameday), UPS Express Critical (ups.com/expresscritical) and DHL SameDay provide door-to-door rush delivery across the metro area. Typical turnaround: 1–6 hours for intra-city pickup-to-delivery; pricing usually starts around $99–$200 for small parcels and increases with weight, distance and vehicle type (courier car vs. van vs. air charter). Book online or by phone; request a firm pickup window and on-demand vehicle quotes for guaranteed timelines.
Packing, documentation and insurance: use hard-shell cases or double-boxing with foam for fragile contents; remove or declare lithium batteries and other regulated items. Label packages with full recipient address and a mobile contact number; photograph contents and serial numbers. Standard carrier liability for same-day services is limited unless additional declared-value coverage or third-party insurance is purchased–request written confirmation of declared value and coverage limits before handover.
Operational tips: reserve courier pickups at least 2–4 hours ahead for typical metro same-day service (longer for peak travel times), confirm terminal curbside or secure-drop procedures if moving between airport and city, and obtain proof of pickup (photo or signature) plus a tracking number. For short holds under 24 hours, third-party airport/hotel drop networks are usually cheaper than renting a full storage unit; for multi-day storage of temperature-sensitive items, select climate-controlled units and verify access hours before committing.
