I was not happy
Shortly after I purchased the hotel room, I got an email from the hotel saying that since check-in was 3 PM if I wanted to check in anytime earlier, I would have to pay an extra fee. When I arrived at the hotel at 1 PM, they told me that there were no rooms and I had to wait till 3 PM. After some discussion, they admitted that there were rooms available, but the policy was not to let people in before 3 PM unless they pay extra. After some arguments, they agreed to let me in at 2 PM, but they refuse to budge any earlier.
From their point of view, that they have a written policy that check in 3 PM since they know a lot of people want to check in earlier, this is a way to monetize their rooms to help increase profitability. So I guess it’s perfectly legal and even ethical.
Nevertheless, I found it repugnant. I’m used to hotels letting me into a room early as long as they have rooms. If they don’t have a room and there is an unpreventable delay anytime after around 12 noon, I would expect at least some sympathy and perhapsan apology.
Friendly service is important to me. This hotel failed in that regard.