I have also found that it does not always pay to get to the hotel early and request the "best available room". I have had the manager state that he would not put me in one of the "best available rooms" because he thought he might have somone come in and request that room. I even called Hilton Hhonors to see if there was availability for that room for that night, and there was, but he just didn't want to budge. Maybe if you get there late and you have made sure that there is a "best available room" available, then they will give it to you. Pretty hit or miss I have found.