Can I check in the transit hotel and rest for a few hours before clearing the immigration ?

I am coming in at 12.30am while my friends are arriving in different flight reaching Pudong at 7.00 am, I understand that there is a transit hotel at the airport, can I check into the hotel and rest for a few hours, before clearing the immigration to meet my friends at the arrival hall. We are planning to stay in Shanghai for a few days.