PHOTO: Sleep in Every Day. (Photo courtesy of Group Germain Hotels)

Group Germain, the Canadian hotelier operating Le Germain Hotels and Alt Hotels, has announced that it is eliminating fixed departure times at its hotels. But there’s a catch. You have to bypass the online travel agent and book your stay directly with the hotel to be eligible to receive this particular perk.

According to Group Germain’s press release, this measure is a first in the Canadian hotel industry and reflects the hotelier’s “desire to exceed the expectations of its guests.”

The new perk will allow guests to sleep in or even spend the day sightseeing or conducting meetings, only to be able to return to their room to change or catnap before checking out. All guests need to do is let staff know at check in at what time they plan to leave at the end of their stay.

Apparently, other rewards and discounts are also available to guests who book with the hotel directly.

"Booking directly with a hotel offers significant but nonetheless little-known advantages for travellers," said Christiane Germain, co-president of Group Germain Hotels. “For instance, reserving directly with Le Germain and Alt Hotels without using a third party’s platform allows travellers to access the real inventory of available rooms and to take advantage of exclusive offers and packages.

Obviously, the new program is intended to reward guests who book directly and don’t use a third party such as an online booking agency.

"Hoteliers have to pay a commission to online booking agencies, a significant amount of money that could normally be reinvested into the customer experience,” said Germaine.

As for clients of brick and mortar travel agencies, according to a Group Germain spokesperson, Le Germain Hotels and Alt Hotels will work to accommodate any guests who wish to vacate their rooms later, although first priority will be given to guests who booked directly with the hotel.

“Sleep in Every Day" is available at all Le Germain Hotels and Alt Hotels in Canada. For more information, visit www.legermainhotels.com or www.althotels.com.

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