Last Updated: March 17, 2023
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Hotel Room?
Is there a minimum age requirement to rent a hotel room? Or can anyone simply book a hotel room so long as they can pay for it?
This is an interesting question and something you need to know, especially if you need to book a hotel for your kid without being able to be present.
Join me as I run through everything you need to know about booking hotel rooms and the age restrictions that go with it. How old to get a hotel room? The answers are below!
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What Is the Minimum Age Requirement to Get a Hotel Room?
The minimum age required to rent a hotel room depends on the hotel you are booking and what country or state it is in.
Outside of the United States, one has to be a minimum age of 18 years old to be able to check-in to a hotel unaccompanied. This is in line with the minimum drinking age of most countries in the world, bar the United States.
In the US, minimum age requirements vary depending on the state you are in. In some states, you can rent a hotel room if you are 18 years of age. In other states hotels require guests to be 19 years old, or 21 years old in order to rent rooms unaccompanied.
How Do You Check The Hotel’s Age Requirement for Renting a Room?
The minimum age requirements for hotel guests will be stated in the hotel’s terms and conditions during the booking process.
Now, this does take a while to find as you have to pick the hotel, go through the booking process, and then finally look at their T’s & C’s in detail to find out the minimum age.
The fastest way is simply to find the hotel you would like to stay in, call them and ask them. This will also open up the conversation about ways around the minimum age if there are any.
Why Is There an Age Requirement to Check Into a Hotel?
The reason most hotels have an age limit in order for guests to check-in is for two reasons – legal contracts and legal drinking of alcohol.
You might not know this but when you check-in to any hotel you enter into a legally binding contract, but that contract is only legal if you are considered an adult wherever the hotel is.
For most hotels in most countries, one is an adult at 18 and can enter into a legal contract. But in other places, such as some US states, it is 21.
Underage guests could leave a hotel without paying, and since being underage makes the contract invalid, the hotel therefore can’t legally ask for payment.
Many hotels also offer alcohol in their rooms in the form of a mini-bar, such as hotels in Las Vegas. If the hotel offers alcohol in the rooms, the minimum age limit for check-in must match the state’s or country’s minimum age limit for drinking alcohol.
Are There Exceptions to the Age Requirement for Getting a Hotel Room?
There are some exceptions to the age requirement to check-in to a hotel but they are not universal and depend on the hotel in question.
For example, some hotels with a minimum age requirement of 21 will let military personnel stay in their hotel that is over 18, so long as they can produce a military ID. It simply doesn’t make sense that a person can fight for their country but not book a hotel room, and some hotels agree with this.
Parents can also call a hotel and ask to allow their underage child to stay in the hotel. If the parent books the room and signs a form accepting all liability, then the hotel can often be accommodating.
Some hotels in the US will allow guests under the age of 21 to stay if they are from out of state and have a valid ID with a credit card. They understand that young people also travel for business and do not want to stop this from happening.
What Is the Minimum Age Requirement for Booking a Reservation?
The minimum age requirement for booking a reservation for a hotel is the exact same as the age requirement for checking into the said hotel. This means it is either 18 or 21 years of age depending on the country or the state the hotel you are booking is in.
You can also find out by looking at the Ts & Cs during the booking process.
What Are the Alternatives to Renting a Hotel Room When You Are Underage?
If you are underage and are looking for accommodation then there are some ways around it. You might not be able to book a room in large hotel chains but you can still find a room somewhere.
Youth hostels, Airbnb’s, Bed & Breakfasts, and Guesthouses are all good options that should be more lenient about age restrictions or have none at all.
Another option is to ask your parents to have a conversation with the hotel so that they cover the hotel’s liability and the hotel lets you stay underage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you book a hotel at 18?
Yes, you can book a hotel at 18 in most countries in the world except in the United States. If the state the hotel is in has a minimum drinking age of 21, you will need to be 21 to book the hotel.
Can a 16-year-old get a room in a hotel with their parent’s permission?
In some cases, a 16-year-old can get a hotel with their parent’s permission but it totally depends on the hotel and how they like to handle requests like this.
Can two 17-year-olds stay in a hotel?
Whether two 17-year-olds can stay in a hotel has nothing to do with the fact there are two of them. It all still comes back to the legalities we discussed above.
Perhaps if the parents of the two 17-year-olds call ahead, request the booking, make it, and accept liability, the hotel will allow their children to stay.
Do hotels ask for ID to verify age?
Hotels ask for ID to verify age and one’s identity. This ensures the hotel is forming a legal contract with someone who is who they say they are.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
