We have stayed at this location many times over the last 20 years after living in Chicago. I do understand that the check-in time is 3 pm, and we did request early check in. We arrived in the River North area at 11:30 am, got lunch and checked back at 1:30 pm. There was a room available, but we still had to pay an early check-in fee. We had Cubs tickets - 7:05 night game, and wanted to go up to Wrigleyville to meet friends, and not sit in the lobby for 1.5 hours until 3 pm. If the room was available, WHY did we have to pay the extra fee? Since it was a night game and we didn't know when we would be back before the midnight registration cutoff time, it was prudent to check-in BEFORE the game, because as I understand it, the hotel was completely booked and we wanted to make sure we had a room. It was disconcerting to pay the extra fee when there was a room available. By the way, the lobby was completely empty so it wasn't like others were trying to do the same thing. It seemed rather inhospitable to charge a fee so close to check-in time. I didn't have my HH# with me by the way but perhaps I should have mentioned that. I know you might say it's just policy, but it does have me rethinking returning to this property. Thank you for allowing me to express this concern.