This frequently happens to me when going to Europe from the US. And that’s an overnight flight with a 5+ hour time change to boot,so I am very jetlagged upon arrival. Very often, if there is a room available that was unsold the night before they can accommodate you. But if not, the hotel can hold your bags while you go somewhere to kill a few hours.

If you travel enough to get loyalty program status with one hotel chain, that can help too. Sometimes those higher tiers come with “guaranteed” early checkin. I’m sure that if they are totally sold out you won’t get the early room, but it’s possible someone else had to leave for an early flight and if you have the status they will take care of that room quickly for you.