You have a driver’s license and you can vote, but there is one freedom that’s not guaranteed to you in the US – booking a hotel at the age of 18.
Where I live in Las Vegas, the big casino hotels don’t even allow people under the age of 21 to walk around a casino floor unaccompanied, let alone book a room. My city, and other so-called “party cities,” are typically tougher to book for those under 21 years old. Other US cities may allow 18-year-olds to book a hotel room.
If you’re wondering how old do you have to be to get a hotel room, read on to unpack the age requirements in the US and elsewhere.
In this article
How old do you have to be to book a hotel room in the US?
Why does the age requirement vary?
The history of age policies at hotels.
More about th legal age of majority
Why do hotels have a minimum age requirement?
Age policies for specific hotel chains
Age to book vs. age at check-in
What you need to check in
Checking in around the world
Conclusion
FAQs
How old do you have to be to book a hotel room in the United States?
The typical minimum age to book a hotel room in the US is 18, but many hotels require guests to be 21 depending on the property and location.
Party towns or spring break towns, think Miami Beach, Vegas, the Florida and Alabama gulf coasts, may raise their age requirement to 21.
Individual hotels and hotel chains can also tighten the rules on their own. You should be able to find any hotel’s minimum age requirement in its terms and conditions (i.e., the fine print with the box you check).
Why does the age requirement vary?
Hotel age requirements aren’t random – they come down to three main factors:
- Legal adulthood and contract enforceability: In the US, 18 is the legal age of majority, meaning you can sign binding contracts. But contracts with minors aren’t enforceable, so hotels protect themselves by setting minimum ages.
- Local laws and ordinances: Some states and cities have their own rules. Nebraska and Alabama consider you a minor until 19, while Mississippi sets the bar at 21. Party destinations often raise requirements to curb underage drinking.
- Hotel-specific policies: Individual properties can set their own rules based on past experiences, liability concerns, or the presence of minibars and casinos. A beachfront resort in Miami might require 21 while a business hotel in the same city accepts 18-year-olds.
The history of age policies at hotels.
For hotels in the US, making rules about age requirements is a sticky topic, and here’s why: Hotels have been bound by the same creed for centuries. The general idea is that innkeepers are required to receive anyone who wants to stay. In other words, a hotel may not select its guests.
For the United States, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 codified this, prohibiting places of public accommodation from discriminating against any person on the grounds of race, color, religion, or national origin. In theory, a hotel is even required to receive minors since they’re as entitled to the protection of a hotel as anyone else.
More about the legal age of majority.
Speaking of the fine print, those terms and conditions are a legally binding contract – and contracts signed by minors aren’t enforceable. The “legal age of majority” is the age at which you’re considered an adult, meaning that you assume all legal responsibilities. In the US, that’s 18 years.
But since a hotel can be held legally responsible for what happens to its underage guests, many will choose to mitigate their risk by raising their age requirements. Some states have even upped the “age of contractual capacity.” For instance, Nebraska and Alabama consider you a minor until you’re 19, and Mississippi doesn’t think you’re a grown-up until you’re 21 years old.
Internationally, the age of majority is commonly recognized at 18, although there are some exceptions such as some Canadian provinces (19), New Zealand and Thailand (20), and some countries in the Middle East and Africa and others that consider it to be 21.
Why do hotels have a minimum age requirement?
Hotels have a responsibility to keep their guests safe. Because of this, hotels may refuse minors if there’s alcohol (a minibar) in the room.
Hotels can prohibit minors from staying unaccompanied by an adult or prohibit parents from renting a room to allow underage partying. Some hotels may even raise their minimum age based on prior underage drinking, local nuisance laws, or curfew laws.
Age policies for hotel chains.
Hotel chains don’t have a single-age policy that extends to their properties around the world. Many have standard ages, but they recommend you check with the individual hotel. For instance:
- Marriott sets its minimum age at 18, but raises it to 21 for some all-inclusive, adults-only resorts .
- Choice Hotels has a minimum age of 19 for a person to stay in a room alone in most of its brands, but some of its hotels require you to be 21+. The company requires that guests who are 18 or younger stay in a room with someone who is over 21.
- Hilton and IHG have no standard policy, but recommend you check by hotel.
- Best Western, Wyndham, Radisson, and Hyatt hotels all have a minimum age of 21.
In every case, it’s best to contact the individual hotel (not the toll-free number, but the local number that will put you in contact with the front desk) before booking.
Age to book vs. age at check-in.
You can book a hotel room online at any age – all you need is a valid credit card. But completing a reservation doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the room.
The real age verification happens at the front desk. Hotels typically won’t ask your age directly (they don’t want to appear discriminatory), but they will ask for a government-issued ID or passport along with your credit card, even if you prepaid online.
Here’s the catch: if you fall below a hotel’s minimum age requirement after you’ve already paid, you might not get a refund. The booking went through, but the hotel’s check-in policy still applies. That’s why if you are in doubt you should always verify age requirements before you book – not after you show up with your bags.
What you need to check in?
Meeting the age requirement is just the first step. Here’s what you’ll need at the front desk:
- Valid photo ID: A government-issued ID or passport that shows your date of birth
- Credit card in your name: Most hotels require a card matching the name on the reservation for incidentals and security deposits
- Reservation confirmation: A booking number or confirmation email speeds things up
Tip: If you’re 18–20 and booking at a hotel that accepts your age, make sure the credit card is in your name. Some hotels won’t accept a parent’s card if the cardholder isn’t present.
Checking in around the world.
Countries all around the world consider age requirements differently. Take a closer look at typical hotel age requirements around the world.
Note, as always, it’s best to check with the specific hotel before you book.
Europe
In general, Europe is a little more liberal with age policies than the US, with check-in policies typically around 18 years old for a guest to check in and stay alone. This can vary by individual hotel or hotel chain since a company’s policy may specify a higher check-in age.
America
Canada, the US, and Mexico are all fairly close in line with each other – typically around 21 years old. In South America, it is generally possible to check in at 18 years old, but you should always read the internal policies of the hotel.
Africa & Asia
While the standard around the world is 18 years old, Southeast Asia and parts of Africa may have more lenient policies or don’t enforce policies strictly. As always, it’s best to check before you book.
Conclusion
Countries have their age guidelines for hotels, as do municipalities. Even in countries with no technical age restriction, like Norway, most hotels impose their own restrictions. In other words, you’ll rarely find a hotel that doesn’t hold guests to some age standard.
After all, they must protect themselves and their guests, they are responsible for the safety of its guests, but they also have to make sure they get paid – minors can’t be held liable for debts.
That’s why even when you’re traveling to a country that doesn’t set strict age rules, its hotels will enforce their own. It’s always best to check with an individual hotel before you book.
Now that you know if you are old enough to check into a hotel, KAYAK helps you find the perfect hotel for you, whether you want to watch the best sunset on a hotel rooftop or work remotely abroad.
FAQs
Yes, many hotels in the US accept guests who are 18 years old. The minimum age of 18 aligns with the legal age of majority in most states, meaning you can sign a binding contract. However, some hotels – particularly in party destinations like Las Vegas or Miami Beach – require guests to be 21.
Hotels that require guests to be 21 typically do so to reduce liability and prevent underage drinking. Properties with minibars, casinos or locations in party destinations often set higher age limits. Some states also have higher ages of contractual capacity – Mississippi considers you a minor until 21. Individual hotels can also raise their requirements based on past experiences with younger guests.
Yes, hotels ask for a government-issued photo ID at check-in. This serves two purposes: verifying your identity matches the reservation and confirming you meet the minimum age requirement. Hotels avoid directly asking your age since that could appear discriminatory, but your ID reveals your date of birth.
In the US, a 17-year-old typically cannot check into a hotel alone. Most hotels require guests to be at least 18, and many require 21. Minors under 18 usually need to be accompanied by an adult – often someone 21 or older.
In the US, if your teenager is under 18, they will most likely not be allowed to check in alone. You could call ahead and check, but it’s unlikely they will accept the booking unless an adult accompanies the child.
