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Quick facts: many IHG properties offer short-term bag storage at no charge for same-day arrivals, but policies vary by location. Reception typically requires a reservation number or ID, issues a numbered tag or receipt, and limits liability for valuable contents. Oversized items, fragile objects and restricted materials may be refused or handled under special rules.
Practical steps: call the front desk on the day of travel to confirm availability and opening hours, ask whether storage is complimentary for guests or charged for walk-ins, request a written receipt or tag for each item, remove passports, electronics and jewelry and keep them with you, and photograph items and tags as proof of condition and ownership.
Timing and fees: many properties accept bags for several hours or until your room is ready; some allow storage through the evening or until checkout the next day. Fees, time limits and insurance caps differ by hotel – request the specific retention window and any per-item charges in writing.
If the hotel cannot accommodate: use station or airport left-baggage facilities, local commercial storage services or on-demand apps that offer short-term bag pick-up/drop-off. Compare hourly/day rates and declared-loss protections, and plan retrieval during staffed hours to avoid unexpected access issues.
Tip: keep booking confirmation, ID and the issued tag together until retrieval, and confirm the collection procedure and desk hours so you can retrieve items without delay.
Can I store bags at an IHG property prior to arrival?
Call the property’s front desk and request bag storage; insist on a written receipt and storage tag, remove valuables, and photograph each item before drop-off.
Typical practice: registered guests usually receive complimentary short-term storage; unregistered visitors may face a fee (common range $0–$25). Many locations permit holding items for 24–72 hours; some impose a maximum number of days equal to the stay length or require prior authorization for longer retention.
Security and liability: ask for the property’s loss-limitation statement and the storage-room location. Hotels commonly limit financial responsibility for high-value items–store passports, cash and electronics on your person or secure them in a room safe once you gain room access.
Operational steps that speed service: call ahead with arrival time, request a tag number and a timestamped receipt, photograph the tagged bag, label the outside with your name and phone, and confirm pickup hours. Use TSA-approved locks and remove perishables and fragile goods.
Staff etiquette and cost expectations: tip bell or front-desk attendants $2–5 per bag for handling and retrieval; if the property charges a storage fee, ask whether it can be waived upon room registration. If the hotel cannot accommodate, use station, airport lockers or local paid storage networks – and consult best luggage interiors for packing tips that make drop-off and collection faster.
Where to leave bags on early arrival: front desk, bell desk, or storage room
Recommendation: use the bell desk for short-term stowage of carry-on bags and suitcases you need easy access to; use the dedicated storage room for overnight or high-value items; use the front desk only for very brief drops and when no porter service is available.
When to pick each option
- Bell desk – fastest retrieval, porter can move large pieces, staff can tag and deliver to your room when it’s ready; ideal for same-day arrival and immediate errands.
- Storage room – locked area with inventory control, better for overnight stays, bulky gear, sports equipment, and anything of higher value that you won’t need until room access.
- Front desk – convenient if you’ll return in under a few hours; lower security (items often kept behind the counter or in back office) and higher turnover, so avoid leaving valuables here.
Practical steps and checklist
- Ask staff for a claim ticket and keep it until retrieval; photograph the ticket and the bag serial number or distinctive marks.
- Remove passports, cash, electronics, medications, and jewelry; carry these on your person or in a small daypack.
- Label bags with your name and phone number; request staff to place a numbered tag on larger items.
- Confirm hours for retrieval, any storage fees, and whether ID is required when picking up.
- Ask about liability limits and whether you need to declare high-value contents for increased coverage; request any policy in writing or an email confirmation.
- If leaving fragile or oddly shaped gear, ask for handling instructions and whether additional packaging is required.
Operational details to request verbally or in writing: fee amount (flat or per item), maximum storage duration, access hours, who must present ID, and the procedure if you lose the claim ticket. For travel equipment and unusual items, verify weight/size limits and whether porters will assist.
Quick security tips: photograph contents and serial numbers, keep receipts for expensive items, register high-value items at check-in desk or storage office, and note staff name/time when you drop off. For related tips on storing bulky hobby items, see best aquarium background color.
Hours, maximum storage duration and size limits for held bags
Recommendation: Contact the specific property for exact hours and limits; typical acceptance hours are 06:00–23:00, with select locations offering 24/7 storage by prior arrangement.
Operating hours – typical examples: many city locations operate early-morning drop-off from 06:00–09:00 and evening collection until 22:00–23:00; business-focused properties often restrict access to standard business hours (08:00–18:00); airports and large conference hotels may provide round-the-clock service. Holiday-season and weekend hours can differ; always verify holiday schedules.
Maximum storage duration: short-term holding for same-day arrivals is normally accepted without charge; common maximums for registered guests range from 7 to 14 days with no fee, subject to space. Non-registered visitors are frequently limited to 24–72 hours. Extended storage (15–90 days) can be arranged at some sites for a fee and a signed release; items left beyond the agreed period may incur daily storage charges, transfer to an off-site facility, or disposal under the property’s abandoned‑items policy.
Size, weight and item restrictions: standard policy accepts carry-on and checked‑sized bags and boxes; many properties decline items over ~23–25 kg (50–55 lb) without special handling. Oversized items (longer than ~1.5 m / 60 in, bulky furniture, surfboards, large musical instruments, bicycles) usually require advance notice, dedicated storage space and extra fees. Hazardous materials, perishable food, open liquids and high‑value items (jewelry, passports, cash, cameras) are often refused or must be placed in a secure safe – ask about insured storage options.
Practical steps to avoid problems: get written confirmation of storage dates and pickup deadlines, attach a property-issued tag or receipt to each item, photograph contents and condition, declare any large or heavy pieces in advance, and purchase transit or storage insurance for valuable possessions.
How to register and which ID or claim tag to use for storing and retrieving baggage
Present a government-issued photo ID (passport, national ID card or driver’s licence) at the reception and keep the printed numbered claim ticket; reception will log the tag number, name on reservation, phone number and a short description of items.
Accepted identification and alternatives
Primary: passport or driver’s licence. Secondary if primary unavailable: national identity card, consular ID or a photocopy of the passport plus a second photo ID. Corporate or student ID alone is rarely accepted without a matching reservation name. If someone else drops off or collects items, provide a signed authorization letter plus both parties’ photo IDs; reception will photocopy IDs and note the authorized collector’s name on the record.
Claim tags, receipts and retrieval process
Typical tags: numbered paper or plastic tickets with barcodes, adhesive tamper-evident stickers and a matching entry in the property’s log (digital or paper). Keep the claim ticket on your person; staff will ask for the ticket number and the same photo ID used at drop-off. If the ticket is lost, expect to verify identity with the original reservation confirmation, matching ID and a brief description of the contents; staff may require a manager’s sign-off. For third-party pickup, reception requires the claim ticket plus the collector’s photo ID and the guest’s signed authorization.
Additional practical steps: photograph the claim ticket and your items at drop-off, note the tag number on your phone, request a written receipt if any deposit or fee is charged, label fragile items on the manifest, and ask whether items are stored in a monitored room and whether insurance/declared-value options are available. If you plan to collect outside normal reception hours, confirm after-hours pickup procedures at drop-off and obtain an emergency contact number.
Liability, lost or damaged item procedures and who to contact
Register every stored bag at reception, obtain a numbered claim tag and a written receipt that lists item descriptions and any declared values.
Property responsibility is typically limited by the accommodation’s policy; cash, jewelry and high-value electronics are often excluded unless placed in a dedicated safe and acknowledged in writing. Request the written maximum liability amount and a signed acknowledgement from management before leaving valuables. If you declare an item’s value for additional protection, keep the signed statement and claim tag copy.
For a missing or damaged item: report it immediately to the front desk, ask for an incident report and record the name and employee ID of the staff handling the case. Provide the claim tag number, detailed item description, serial numbers, purchase receipts and photos. If theft is suspected, contact local law enforcement and obtain a police report number; provide that number to property management and to any insurer or card issuer you notify.
Documentation to provide
Present or supply: claim tag, written receipt from reception, photos of the item, original or digital receipts, serial numbers, guest ID, timestamps (arrival/departure) and, if applicable, the police report. Email scanned documents to the property contact and keep originals for your records. A clear inventory accelerates processing.
Who to contact and escalation path
Primary contacts: front desk or reception agent handling storage, the manager on duty, and the security supervisor. If the issue is unresolved, escalate to the property’s corporate claims or guest relations department–request a written claim address, an email contact and an internal claim reference number. Notify your travel insurer and card issuer (many cards include purchase protection). If no satisfactory resolution within the property’s stated timeframe, consider filing a claim with small claims court; preserve all documentation and correspondence for that process.
