In decades of traveling, I never had this experience before. They only let us check in IF the room is ready. Every other hotel I have ever been to lets you check in, and if the room is not ready you just deposit your luggage and come back later. Then the topper: IF the room is ready, they want to charge you EU15 (!) to check in early. Although the room is ready and just waiting . . . I was tempted to ask (but didn't) whether we get a EU 15 credit if we check our early. What a scam!