Guests coming early

[David-and-Annie0]

I have to complain a bit here...and wonder if I should do anything or say something. Guests always ask if they can have an early check in. (Our check-in time is 4pm) If we don’t have someone checking out that day, I always say yes, usually telling them they can access the house at 2pm. 
Today the guests who checked in got there before 1pm. So, they ran into my housekeeper (who I asked to look over the property before they arrived/do quality control.) 

Not the end of the world, but it really annoys me that these people are seeming to ignore what I said. I am already doing them a favor by letting them check in early. Maybe I need to word it more strictly in the future? I feel taken advantage of...am I over-reacting? I want to be a good host and I know people are excited to get there, but it just makes me nervous and makes me feel taken advantage of. I had their code (for August door keypad) set for 2pm, so if they hadn’t run into my housekeeper, they would’ve needed to contact me. 
They are not the first guests to arrive earlier than they should. Kinda feels like if you give them an inch, they take a mile...any thoughts?

[Sarah977]

@Maia29  The thing is, these types of guests already feel special. 🙂 Otherwise they wouldn't make disrespectful demands.

[Clay132]

Maybe my opinion isn't the right one, but I have to say that you are doing the right thing. We're all human and as long as the guests don't push the limit, I say let them check-in earlier. Of course, it should be something reasonable, not too be taken advantage of. If you feel bothered by this, though, and you want to prevent it from happening in the future, I'd recommend that you simply become more strict and ignore their requests of checking in earlier.

[Betsy114]

My instructions to guest say, "Check in is at 1:00 unless other arrangements are made."  Sometimes its no big deal.  Today, I had a guest arrive and let himself in (per the instructions) at 730 am.  I went over and knocked to see what's going on and he called out (without coming to the door) and said, oh, sorry, I drove a long way and thought I'd just crash early.  What would you guys do?

[Sarah977]

@Betsy114  How was he able to let himself in at 7:30am?  Door codes should be changed for each guest and programmed to activate only at  check-in time.

If the place was clean and ready, I wouldn't bother getting into anything with this guest about it, just mention it in the review.

[Linda108]

@Betsy114 

If the house was available and the guest could get in (something you should change in the future) I agree with @Sarah977  that the place for action is in the review.  However, it might be a good idea for the guest to understand that he has gotten something exceptional and a special one time perk.  You might send a message that there is usually a fee of $XX related to early check-in of 5 hours has been waived and you hope he enjoys his stay.  Don't make him feel bad as that feeling will be directed at you in a review even though he is in the wrong.  Instead allow him to feel special.  Just a marketing strategy.

[Amanda660]

When I’m asked by someone for an early  check in (and they’re not particularly polite) my general response is that with an 11am checkout and a 3pm check in we need a full 4 hours to throughly clean and sanitise’.  It cools their needy heels very quickly.  

[Sarah977]

@Amanda660  Good advice. The problem is, this guest of Betsy's didn't ask, he just showed up and let himself in at 7:30.

@Betsy114  I like @Linda108's suggestion re the message. He does need to know that this is not okay, so he doesn't do it again to another host. So he should tactfully be made aware.