
Frustrated by hotels that require you to be 21 to check in?
Don’t worry, if you can book a hotel without a credit card, you can surely book a room if you are 18!
Whether you’re heading to a concert, a college tour, or just a weekend getaway, running into a “21 and over” rule is a major headache.
It feels like you’re old enough for everything else, so why not a hotel room?
But here’s the good news: plenty of major hotel chains and local spots across the U.S. welcome guests who are 18 years old.
You just have to know where to look and how to book correctly.
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In this guide, I’ll show you exactly where to find under 21 friendly hotels, explain why check-in age policies vary, and share tips to avoid getting turned away at the front desk.
By the way, make sure to read my guide on how to get free hotel stays. You may be able to save some cash on your next stay (wink!)
Table of Contents
Hotels that Allow 18-Year-Olds to Check In
Here are some of the most well-known hotels that allow 18-year-olds to book a room and check in on their own.
1. Airbnb
Airbnb isn’t a hotel in the traditional sense but rather an online marketplace where you can book stays at apartment rentals and vacation homes.
And with so many Airbnb coupon codes and discounts, it’s easy to find great places to book without breaking the bank.
You only have to be 18 years old to book a stay at an Airbnb.
Sure, an Airbnb host can choose an older age requirement under the “House Rules” section, but that’s pretty uncommon.
- Make your booking here.
2. Best Western
Best Western has a global network of 4,700 hotels in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide.
Best Western hotels don’t have a set standard age limit, so the age minimum required to check in will vary from location to location. That’s why you should be sure to call the location you plan to visit to ask whether they allow 18-year-olds to check in.
- Make your booking here.
3. Drury Inn & Suites
Drury Inn & Suites has more than 150 hotels in 26 states.
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Drury Inn & Suites doesn’t have a set standard age requirement. This means that the minimum age for check-in will vary from location to location.
Some places will allow 18-year-olds to check in, while other locations will require guests to be at least 21 years old to book and check in.
Find a location you want to book and then call to ask what the age requirement is for check-in.
- Make your booking here.
4. Four Seasons
Four Seasons operates 124 properties in 47 countries.
There’s no standard policy in place for the minimum age of guests that are allowed to check in.
Some locations allow guests who are 18 to check in, but the age requirement at some properties is 21.
So, be sure to call the location you plan to stay at to ask what its minimum age requirement is for booking and check-in.
- Make your booking here.
5. Hilton Hotels
Hilton Hotels has 7,000 properties in 122 countries and territories.
It also has 18 distinct brands, such as Hampton Inn, Conrad, Hilton Garden Inn, and Waldorf Astoria.
There is no universal policy on the age of guests checking in. Some locations allow those as young as 18 to check in.
Find a location and then get in touch to ask about the age requirement at that specific property.
- Make your booking here.
6. Hyatt Hotels
Hyatt Hotels has 1,200 locations.
Hyatt operates many different brands, such as Hyatt Place, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt House, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, and Alila Hotels and Resorts.
While the minimum check-in age is typically 21, the policy can vary by location. So, call the hotel you plan to stay at to check what the age requirement is.
- Make your booking here.
7. Intercontinental Hotels Group
There are almost 6,000 IHG properties in more than 100 countries.
There’s no standard age limit across all of the company’s hotels.
Some require guests to be 21 years old, but others only require guests to be 18 years old to check in.
So, find a location you want to stay at and call the hotel to ask about the age required for guests to check in.
- Make your booking here.
8. La Quinta Inn & Suites
La Quinta Inn & Suites operates 914 properties.
Some locations will require guests to be at least 21 years old to check in, but others will allow those who are just 18 to check in.
So, call ahead at the location you plan to stay at to check the age requirement.
- Make your booking here.
9. Motel 6
Motel 6 & Studio 6 has more than 1,400 company-owned and franchised locations throughout the United States and Canada.
This is another hotel that doesn’t have a universal age policy. This means that you’ll find the age requirement is just 18 years old at some locations and at others, you’ll need to be 19 to 21 years old to check in, or 18 with a valid military ID.
Call ahead to check that the location you plan to book a stay with allows 18-year-olds to check in.
If you don’t mind budget motels, check out Cheap Motels Near Me!
- Make your booking here.
10. Radisson
The Radisson Hotel Group has more than 1,100 hotels. It operates a variety of brands, including Radisson, Radisson Blu, Radisson Red, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson Collection, and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson.
Although many Radisson hotels require guests to be 21 years old to check in, some places will allow 18-year-olds to check in. Just call ahead to ask at the location you plan to book a stay with.
- Make your booking here.
11. Red Roof Inn
Red Roof Inn is a discount hotel with 670 locations.
The company doesn’t have a universal age limit across the hotel chain, so the age policy varies across properties.
Some locations allow guests to check in at age 18, but others require guests to be at least 21 years old. Be sure to call ahead to ask about the age policy at the location you plan to stay at.
- Make your booking here.
12. Marriott
Marriott operates 30 brands and more than 8,000 properties across 139 countries and territories.
Some of the brands the company operates include JW Marriott Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Edition Hotels, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Delta Hotels, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Vacation Club, Renaissance Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, SpringHill Suites, and Element Hotels.
Some hotels require guests to be 18 years old in order to check in, but other hotels will allow 18-year-olds to check in.
Be sure to call ahead at the location where you plan to book a stay to ask about the age required for check-in.
- Make your booking here.
13. Millennium Hotels and Resorts
Millennium Hotels and Resorts has 125 hotels in 22 countries.
There isn’t a standard minimum age requirement across all Millennium Hotels & Resorts locations.
Some hotels will allow 18-year-olds to check in, while others will require guests to be at least 21 years old.
Be sure to call the location where you plan to book a stay to ask what the age policy is for guests to check in.
- Make your booking here.
Wyndham Worldwide Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Worldwide Hotels & Resorts has more than 9,000 hotels across 22 brands in more than 80 countries.
Its brands include:
- Baymont
- Days Inn
- Howard Johnson
- La Quinta
- Ramada
- Super 8
- Travelodge
- Wyndham
Wyndham Worldwide doesn’t have a standard age limit across all locations. While some properties do require guests who are checking in to be 21 years old, others will allow those who are 18 to check in.
Again, call ahead at the location you plan to book a room with to check the age policy for guests at check-in.
- Make your booking here.
22. Hostels
Hostels are a good option if you are on a budget, and many of them allow people as young as 16 years old to check in.
If you don’t mind staying in a hostel rather than a hotel, they can be a good option, particularly if you’re social.
23. Local Non-Chain Hotels
A lot of well-known chain hotels require guests to be 21 to check in. So, a good option is to try local, non-chain hotels.
Look for places like boutique hotels, local mom-and-pop motels, and smaller bed and breakfasts, as these may allow you to check in if you’re under 21.
Las Vegas Hotels Near the Strip that Allow 18 Year Olds to Book
Las Vegas is a special case. Because the entire city is built around the 21+ casino industry, finding a hotel if you’re under 21 is much tougher. Most of the famous, giant resorts on the Strip (like the Bellagio, MGM Grand, Venetian, etc.) have a strict 21+ check-in policy with almost no exceptions.
But you can still find a place to stay. You just have to know the secret.
The Strategy: Look for Non-Gaming Hotels Off The Strip.
Your best bet is to ignore the casino resorts completely. Instead, focus your search on the major brand hotels that do not have casinos inside them. These are often aimed at business travelers or families and are usually located a short drive or monorail ride from the main tourist corridor.
Start your search with these types of hotels:
- Chain Hotels Near the Convention Center: Look for brands like Residence Inn, Embassy Suites, or SpringHill Suites located around the Las Vegas Convention Center.
- Business-Focused Hotels: Properties like Hyatt Place or Courtyard by Marriott are excellent options that often have 18+ policies.
- Non-Casino Brands: Search for names you recognize that you wouldn’t associate with a slot machine, like a Best Western Signature or a Drury Inn.
Even with this strategy, Las Vegas is one place where the “call first” rule is not a suggestion—it is mandatory. Policies can be strict, so always call the hotel’s front desk directly to confirm their check-in age before you book.
How to Book Your Hotel Room at 18
Ready to book? Following these exact steps will save you a ton of time and prevent the nightmare scenario: getting turned away at the front desk with a non-refundable booking.
- Find the Hotel’s REAL Phone Number: Do not call the 1-800 central booking number. You need to speak to someone at the actual hotel. Go to the hotel’s official website (e.g., the specific page for the “Hilton Garden Inn Austin North”) and find their local phone number.
- Ask the Golden Question: Call the front desk and ask one simple, direct question: “Hi, I was hoping to book a room, but I’m 18. Could you please tell me what your minimum check-in age is?” You’ll have your answer in 30 seconds.
- Book Directly & Make a Note: Once they give you the green light, book your room. It’s always a good idea to book directly on the hotel’s website. As a final pro-tip, make a quick note of the date and time you called, and even the name of the person you spoke with, just in case there’s any confusion when you arrive.
- Arrive Prepared with the Essentials: When you go to check in, you will absolutely need two things. No exceptions:
- A valid, government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport).
- A credit card or debit card in YOUR name. Even if the room is prepaid, they need a card for incidentals (a security deposit for things like room service or damages).
Expert Tips for 18-Year-Old Travelers
Beyond the basics, a few extra strategies can make your trip even smoother.
Keep these pro-tips in your back pocket:
- Think “Business,” Not “Vacation”: Hotels located in business districts or near airports are often more lenient with their age policies than huge resorts in major tourist zones like Miami Beach or the Las Vegas Strip. A Courtyard by Marriott next to a convention center is usually a safer bet than a giant resort with a pool bar.
- Be a Great Guest: Remember, the 21+ rules exist because hotels fear liability and wild parties. When you check in, be polite, calm, and professional. By being a quiet, respectful guest, you help make things easier for the next 18-year-old traveler.
- The Solo Traveler Advantage: Checking in as a single individual is almost always easier than checking in with a large group of other 18-year-olds. If you’re with a group, have one or two designated people handle check-in calmly to avoid looking like a party waiting to happen.
- Keep Your Confirmation Handy: When the hotel confirms your booking, save the email. If you called ahead to confirm the age policy (which you should!), you have that as a backup. Having your confirmation details ready on your phone makes for a fast, professional check-in.
Hotel Check-In FAQ for 18-Year-Olds
Your most reliable options are chains like Motel 6 and Red Roof Inn. Many Wyndham properties (like Days Inn and Super 8) are also great, but it’s always smart to call the specific hotel to confirm their 18+ check-in policy.
Hotels may require guests to be 21 due to liability, alcohol laws, or insurance policies. It often depends on the location.
No. Even if a parent pays for the room online, the guest who physically checks in at the front desk must meet the hotel’s minimum age requirement and present their own valid, government-issued photo ID.
No. Almost all hotels require a valid government-issued photo ID at check-in regardless of age.
You will need a credit or debit card. While most hotels accept debit cards, be aware they will place a security hold on the card that freezes your actual cash, and it can take over a week after checkout for the funds to be released.
You can book a hotel at 18 in all states. There is no state law that prevents it. However, hotels are private businesses and are free to set their own 21+ policies, which are more common in major tourist destinations.
The most effective way is to use Google Maps to find hotels from 18+ friendly brands (like Motel 6 or Days Inn). Then, call the front desk’s direct, local number to confirm their policy before you go.
Yes, but you should call ahead. Even if a hotel is 18+, it’s smart to notify them you are a group. Some hotels have policies against large, local group check-ins to prevent parties, especially during spring break.
The most affordable and consistently 18+ friendly hotels are budget chains. Your top choices are Motel 6, Red Roof Inn, Super 8, and Days Inn, which are widely available across the country.
If you book a non-refundable room and don’t meet the age requirement, you will likely be turned away at the front desk and will not be refunded your money. This is the #1 reason why you must always call first.
Final Thoughts
Many well-known hotel brands allow those under 21 to check in.
For most hotels, though, the age requirement for check-in varies from hotel to hotel, so be sure to call ahead at the specific location you plan to stay at to confirm its age policy.
The good news is that if the hotel you are interested in doesn’t allow guests under 21, there are plenty of other hotels near you that allow 18-year-olds to check in.
Lauren Bennett is a UK-based personal finance freelance writer with over 10+ years of experience helping readers find smart ways to save money and make extra income. She specializes in budgeting, frugal living, and side hustles, delivering clear, practical advice backed by real-world experience.



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