Have you ever wanted to travel and get a hotel room before you turned 18? Well, the good news is that there are over 30 states that allow the best hotels with 18+ check-in.
In this article, we will discuss which states allow 18-year-olds to get hotel rooms and which have restrictions.
We will also provide tips for booking rooms and dealing with hotel policies. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know!
Are You Looking For Best 18+ Hotel To Stay?
Check out Our Guide on the Best Hotels With 18+ check-ins in the United States.
Overview of Hotel Policies for 18-Year-Olds
Hotel policies on the minimum age to rent a room vary from state to state. Here is a quick overview:
- 33+ states explicitly allow 18-year-olds to get hotel rooms
- A few states have varying county and city ordinances on minimum age
- Some major hotel chains have corporate policies on age requirements
- State laws override corporate policies if they specify a lower minimum age
So in the majority of states, if you are 18 years old, you can legally get a hotel room on your own without issue.
But it’s still important to check specific hotel policies when booking.
States That Allow 18-Year-Olds to Get Hotel Rooms
The following states have confirmed laws or legal precedents allowing 18-year-olds to rent hotel rooms:
Popular States With 18+ Check-In Hotels
1. Alabama
2. Alaska
3. Arizona
4. Arkansas
5. California
6. Colorado
7. Connecticut
8. Delaware
9. Florida
10. Georgia
11. Hawaii
12. Idaho
13. Illinois
14. Indiana
15. Iowa
16. Kansas
17. Kentucky
18. Louisiana
19. Maine
20. Maryland
21.Massachusetts
22. Michigan
23. Minnesota
24. Mississippi
25. Missouri
26. Montana
27. Nebraska
28. Nevada
29. New Hampshire
30. New Jersey
31. New Mexico
32. New York
33. North Carolina
34. North Dakota
35. Ohio
36. Oklahoma
37. Oregon
38. Pennsylvania
39. Rhode Island
40. South Carolina
41. South Dakota
42. Tennessee
43. Texas
44. Utah
45. Vermont
46. Virginia
47. Washington
48. West Virginia
49. Wisconsin
50. Wyoming
This covers most states, but there are still some with varying county and city ordinances.
States With City and County Ordinances
The following states do not have a universal minimum age law for getting hotel rooms. Instead, legal age limits can vary based on city, county or jurisdiction:
- Florida – Some cities and counties allow 18, while others require 21+
- Hawaii – Each county makes own hotel room rental age requirements
- North Carolina – No state law; age limits set locally
If you are traveling to one of these states, make sure to verify the hotel room rental age for your specific destination before booking.
Some cities or counties post this info online. If not, call the hotel front desk and ask.
Tips for Booking Hotel Rooms Under 18
If you are under 21 and want to book a hotel room in state that legally allows 18-year-olds, here are some tips:
- Check hotel website for age policy – Many hotel chains post their official policy on room rental age online. This is your first step.
- Call hotel to confirm policy – Before booking, call the hotel front desk and clearly ask what the minimum age to rent a room is. Get name of person you spoke with.
- Book room yourself – When reserving room, the 18-year-old traveler should book themselves and use their own credit card on file.
- Verify policy at check-in – When you arrive to check-in, politely ask to verify the age policy again if needed.
- Bring valid photo ID – To check-in, the 18-year-old traveler must show valid photo ID proving their age.
- Pay deposit in advance – Some hotels require credit card on file or cash deposit in case of room damages.
By being an informed and respectful guest, 18-year-olds can successfully rent rooms in most states without any issues following these tips!
Alternatives to Hotels for 18-Year-Olds
While most major hotel chains have policies requiring guests to be 21 or older nationwide, there are some alternative lodging options available to 18-year-olds.
Some possibilities include:
- Hostels – Hostel dorm rooms and private rooms often accept guests age 18 and up. Hostels provide budget-friendly shared accommodations.
- Motels – Smaller independently-owned motels are more likely than big hotel brands to rent rooms to 18-year-olds and other younger travelers.
- Vacation Rentals – Privately-owned vacation home rentals booked through sites like Airbnb or VRBO frequently permit 18+ year old guests.
- Campgrounds – Public and private campsites allow visitors under 21. Bring your own camping gear or rent a cabin!
Staying at one of these alternative lodging options allows 18-20 year olds more choices for accommodation when planning trips.
Which Hotels Allow 18-Year-Olds To Check In?
While major chains have nationwide 21+ age policies, some smaller independent hotels and inns allow 18-year-old guests.
Calling the hotel directly to ask about age requirements is the best way to confirm their rental rules before booking.
Factors that make a hotel more likely to rent to guests under 21 include:
- Owner-operated (no corporate policies)
- Located within a state with 18+ room rental laws
- Smaller properties with less than 75 rooms
- Extended-stay and suite-style hotels
- Hotels catering to budget-conscious travelers
Again it comes down to verifying specific room rental age rules with all prospective hotels before trying to make an online reservation.
This takes extra research but opens more possibilities!
Frequently Ask Questions
Ques 1: Can 18-year-olds rent rooms in Las Vegas?
Ans: Most hotels in Las Vegas have a policy requiring guests to be 21 or older to make reservations and check-in. However, there are a few Las Vegas hotels that will permit check-ins at 18, including Circus Circus Hotel and Slots of Fun.
Ques 2: What documents do you need to check into a hotel at 18?
Ans: To check into a hotel at 18 by yourself, you’ll need to provide:
Valid photo ID proving your age (driver license, passport, etc.) The credit card you used to book the room Cash deposit or credit card on file for incidentals
Ques 3: Do all Marriott hotels require you to be 21?
Ans: In the United States, Marriott Hotels & Resorts require guests to be 21 years of age at check-in to reserve a room. However, select Marriott brands like TownePlace Suites have exceptions allowing guests as young as 18 years old.
Ques 4: Can 18-year-olds book hotel rooms on Airbnb?
Ans: Airbnb host age policies for room rentals vary slightly, but generally Airbnb permits hosts to accept 18-year-old guests. You’ll want to verify the specific age requirements for each listing you are interested in booking.
Ques 5: What is the youngest age you can legally get a hotel room?
Ans: The legal minimum age to independently rent a hotel room without an adult guardian or parent signature usually ranges anywhere from 18 to 21 years old, depending on individual state laws and hotel policies.