London Hotels that allow early check-in?

Almost any hotel will let you check in early if the room is available. Unfortunately, they won't know that until day of arrival. (Guaranteeing you early check-in means they can't sell the room the night before.)

Except for a few ultra-budget hotels, most will let you drop off your bags and store them until you can check in. And that's what I suggest you do.

When you make your reservations, let them know you'll be arriving early and would like early check in if available.
Once you drop your luggage off, the day is yours to do as you please. Start sightseeing, get out in the sun, keep moving--all of which will help with jet lag.

One alternative is to pay for the prior night and then you can go straight to your room. And let the hotel know about it so they don't release your entire reservation when you don't show by midnight.

Another alternative, if you insist on getting a hotel room early is to rent a room for a few hours at the Heathrow Yotel. Get some sleep and then head into London in the afternoon.

An easy thing to do on the first day is to take the Hop on and Off tour buses. You can get a lay of the land so to speak,, and get off and stretch your legs now and then, scope out what sites you want to visit on subsequent days etc.

When making my reservation for arrival day I add a note that I would like access to the room early. I've stayed at the Crestfield Hotel, near St. Pancras station, several times. I've been able to check in at 9am. Since the hotel is near the train station, some of the rooms empty-out early. I'm gone to catch the Eurostar by 9am the next morning.

I check in early for free at my Easyhotel every time in London. I simply walk in and say "Hello, I am staying here for 9 nights and would hope that you could allow me to check in early as a courtesy, if a room is available?" and I have never been turned down. I am thinking that any hotel might consider it as long as a room is available. It cant hurt to ask! There are many parks you can go and sit for a while in London, just grab a coffee and a breakfast on the go and erlax at Hyde park, Holland park, Regents, etc. Depending on the area you are staying around. At least your hotel might let you drop off your luggage. That is my back up plan in case I ever get turned down to check in early.

We had no problem checking into our hotel at about 9:30am. (Marriott Maida Vale)
Our plan was just to have them hold our clothing luggage, but they said they had a room available. So we went to the room, took a shower and then headed out to the fresh air. Had lunch at pub, walked Regent's Canal for a few hours, had dinner in Camden town. Yes, we were exhausted, but I agree, you generally do not want to sleep before night, even if you didn't sleep a bit on the flight. We then went to bed about 8pm and slept until about 8am (no alarm), pretty much fully rested and ready for real sight seeing.

If you can't check in, at least see if you can leave your luggage. Or worst case, try left luggage at a major station. We saw so many people trying to lug around their stuff at places and could tell they were not enjoying it at all.

Yes, check with your hotel if they allow early check-in. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't, but most places will let you leave your luggage with them until check-in. I second the suggestion of hanging out at a park, especially if the weather is good - my preferences are Hyde and Kensington Parks. Or maybe head to Covent Garden to browse the shops and people-watch, or take a leisurely walk along the South Bank, past the Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, etc. Find a nice place for a leisurely lunch before wandering back to the hotel.

And Happy 30th Anniversary!

As you approach the desk clerk, remember that he/she has the power to let you in early. Despite your overnight travel and fatigue, do not be rude. Bring out your inner Englishman. "So sorry. Terribly silly of us to be so early. Just wondering if by chance we could leave our bags whilst we go get a cup of tea. Oh, you do have a room for us? How lovely."

I forgot about the south bank. If you get off the tube at Westminster and say Hi to big ben, walk across the bridge and make a left, walking past the london eye, carousel, etc and there is Gabriels Wharf. It has a ton of benches and places to eat and shop. Great place to go in the morning just to relax and grab a bite and find somewhere to sit. Benches arent easy to find in London but am so glad I found the wharf! (I only went there becuase I wanted to see the location from "Love Actually" where Liam Neeson sits with the son) When i went, there was hardly anyone around. A nice respite from the overcrowded areas!