Does not depend on status. I am Titanium and 4 PM is checkin time, but did get in by 3:30 with lots of negotiating. For suites this is there standard no matter who you are. Also, checkout is 11 am and could only negotiate to 12. So they are burning Elite members at both ends.
A member from our group was able to check in at 10:30 am.
Just call in! I may answer! :)
It depends on your status with Starwood and whether the hotel was near capacity the night before. You can call and ask and they will give you an educated guess if you'll be able to check in early.
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