I'm coming off an international flight which arrives into Manchester UK at 6.50am. I expect, all being well, we'll be at the hotel (Hilton Deansgate) around 8.30am.

I accept that we may not get into our room until normal check-in time, or at best a fair bit later than 8.30am, but I am wondering what people normally do in these circumstances to maximize the chances of an early check-in - a note in the reservation form, an email to the hotel?

I don't want to pay for the previous night as it is entirely possible that the flight may be late and thus the issue not arise.