This is a shocker. IMO hotel status > airline status. It really comes down to how full the house was the night before and your status level and YMMV - so pretty similar to airlines if you e.g. want to get on an earlier flight. I have generally found hotels to be very accommodating and will generally let me check in if there is a room available. The earliest I have rocked up and gotten a room is probably 6am off a red-eye and have had 9pm to 10pm check outs even though entitled to 4pm only. Even if they can't let me keep the room, they will suggest I leave the bag and use the gym/pool shower when I come back to get it before my flight.

The one exception is Japan. They are a real PIA about early check in and late check out.