Early hotel check in?

Travel Info
I'm going to Montreal in March, and I don't know much about traveling. My train arrives in Montreal at about 9am and check in is at 3 pm. Now if I cannot check in early is there any place that I can go to put my luggage. It's a pretty big suitcase.

Travel Tips

The answers here are good advice. I have done my share of both business and pleasure travel.

The check in time is more of a contractual thing. Something they can usually beat, as an added service. But in the off case they can't, hey that is the time in your agreement. But unless there is a big conference you are attending in the area, they are likely to be able to accommodate your early arrival. The best is to let them know you are arriving early, and then they can plan for that. As most people who check in and out are traveling too, they tend to be leaving early in the morning to get a good start on the day, and arriving late after traveling all day. That all helps your plans.

If you can't check in early, you do have the 2 options to store your bags. Leave them at the station when you arrive, which will cost more. Or check them at the hotel for free. All hotels will store your bags. I have stored bags before I checked in, after I checked out, and even for several days while I was on excursion. If you don't see a bell hop, just ask the front desk. They will either store it for you or call the bell hop. I would figure out if their is more to do near the train station or near the hotel in deciding which location to store.

Others
If you call the hotel prior to the arrival date, many are accomodating and usually allow for early check-in, unless they have many guests,etc.
Check the train station. They usually have lockers but if your bag is too large, they may have a baggage check counter. you should be able to find out online. HAVE FUN!! Montreal is awesome. I love that place. If you are into history or want a "history for dummies" tour, take the ghost walk of Old Montreal. It is really good. Also, I hightly recommend the Biodome at the Stade Olympique. Very Cool!
If you let the hotel know ahead of time that you will be arriving early, sometimes they can accommodate you and provide you a room when you check in if one is available. Call the hotel directly for this--don't use the 1-800- reservation number. If your room is not ready when you check in, they will definitely hold your bags for you. You can give them to the bell hop and they will deliver them to your room when it is ready--don't forget to tip them though.

Also, sometimes if you arrive early and your room is not ready and you have had a long flight to arrive, you can ask if they have a shower room that is available for you to freshen up in. Many nice hotels have this if you ask about it.
you can still go to the hotel, and check in. They wll tell you that your room is not ready, but will gaive you a time to come back. Most likely before 3:00pm. You can then leave your luggae with the Bellhop. This happens all of the time. They are used to it. They will tag and everything for you. Then you can go visit the city and come back later when your room is ready. Be sure to tip the bellhop a dollar or two when he gives your luggage back to you. Have a fun safe trip!
The hotel will let you leave your luggage there. Don't worry about it.
Most decent hotels will happily put your suitcase in a luggage room till you come back to check in.