As SkiAdcock mentioned, if you are a Gold and your bed preference wasn't met then you can invoke the Room Type Guarantee (assuming your stay was in the US or Canada as I think only Plats get that Guarantee outside NA.)

Forgetting the elite guarantee for a moment, it is possible that when you checked in a room on a higher floor wasn't available yet but became available after you checked-in. (But remembering the guarantee again, if the hotel is in NA, they should told you your room wasn't available yet and worked on getting it available for you.)