I agree with others. A gratis 7am check-in is expecting too much. I think the hotel providing you access to the lounge is worth a thank you to the front desk. That other hotels (particularly some hiltons in Asia) sometimes allow an early check-in doesn't mean this one has too and the policy they may be citing may be their own franchise policy. In any event the early check-ins I have received without paying have never been as early as you were attempting to check-in.