Every Hilton reservation I've ever made has an indicated check-in and check-out time. Late check-out is a VIP privilege, though even that is based on availability. I've always considered early check-in to be a nice gesture, but I never expect it. I don't think a hotel charging for it at some point (e.g., before 11:00 AM) is "absurd" as one poster put it. I've never encountered it, but quite frankly it seems reasonable to me, I want the room earlier than what was originally offered, so I see no problem in them charging for that.