Can a 19 Year Old Get a Hotel Room? Age Policies and Booking Tips

Can You Get a Hotel Room at Age 19?

Turning 19 is an exciting milestone. As a legal adult, you gain many new freedoms and responsibilities. One question on many 19 year olds' minds is whether they can now get a hotel room. The answer is not completely straightforward, as hotel policies vary. With some planning and preparation, booking a room at 19 is often possible. This article covers everything you need to know about getting a hotel room at 19.

Why Hotels Have Minimum Age Policies

Many hotels have minimum age policies requiring guests to be 18, 21, or even older. These policies exist for a few reasons:

• Protecting minors - Hotels want to avoid renting rooms to unsupervised teens and children for safety reasons.
• Limiting parties - Younger guests are more likely to throw disruptive parties, which hotels want to prevent.
• Complying with laws - Some local laws restrict renting rooms to underage guests. Hotels must abide to maintain their business licenses.
• Reducing liabilities - Underage guests present greater risks of alcohol abuse, damages, and parental disputes.

While frustrating if you're 19, these policies ultimately aim to protect both hotels and their guests. As an adult, you can understand where hotels are coming from even if their rules are a hassle.

Typical Hotel Age Requirements

Hotels take different approaches to minimum age requirements. Here are some typical policies you'll encounter:

• 18+ - Most hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt only require guests to be 18 years old. This is the most common and permissive policy.
• 21+ - Many hotels mandate guests be 21 or older to rent a room. This is more common at upscale and casino hotels.
• 25+ - A few hotels require guests to be 25 or older, especially more exclusive establishments.
• All ages with exceptions - Some hotels allow guests under 18 or 21 to book rooms but with certain restrictions.

The specific policies can vary greatly between individual hotels under the same parent brand. When in doubt, check a hotel's website or call to confirm their minimum age before booking.

Getting a Room at 18+ Hotels

The easiest option for getting a hotel room at 19 is to look for 18+ hotels. These allow you to book just like any other adult guest. To guarantee a hotel has an 18+ policy, take these steps:

1. Check the hotel's official website for its published age policy.
2. Read reviews on TripAdvisor and other sites for age requirement details.
3. Look for mentions of "adult only hotels" which typically have 18+ rules.
4. Call the hotel ahead to confirm their minimum age if it's unclear.

Many major hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, Best Western, La Quinta, and Wyndham have an 18+ standard age policy. Boutique hotels and motels also frequently welcome guests as young as 18.

If booking online, you may need to enter your date of birth showing you're 18. Bring valid photo ID to show at check-in proving your age. With these simple precautions, you can smoothly check into 18+ hotels.

Working With 21+ Hotel Policies

Some hotels require guests to be 21+ years old to book rooms. These include many upscale hotels like Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and select Hyatts. Policies can vary across locations so verify the specific age rule when planning your stay.

If faced with a 21+ hotel, you have a couple options:

• Book with an older friend - Some 21+ hotels allow 19 year olds to stay if accompanied by someone 21 or older.
• Ask about exceptions - A few hotels may waive the age rule under certain circumstances like business travel.
• Look for alternate 18+ hotels - The same chain may have different policies at nearby locations.

With some flexibility and research, you can often find 21+ hotels willing to accommodate 19 year old guests. Reach out to them directly to understand any workarounds to their policies.

Staying at Hotels With 25+ Age Requirements

Some exclusive hotels require guests to be 25+ years old to book rooms. Examples include the Four Seasons Lanai and select Ritz-Carltons. While less common than 18+ or 21+ policies, the 25+ restriction can be the toughest for 19 year old travelers.

To still stay at one of these hotels, your options include:

• Calling to make an exception request - Management may waive the rule for special circumstances.
• Booking a day pass for amenities - Some hotels offer day passes for pools, restaurants, etc.
• Accompanying an older guest - Traveling with family or friends over 25 may allow you to stay.
• Considering alternate hotels - Look for 18+ or 21+ options in the same area.

With preparation and some creativity, you may still be able to enjoy 25+ hotels as a 19 year old. Be polite when asking about exceptions and understand if they must enforce their standard policy.

Booking Hotels With Restrictions for Underage Guests

Some hotel chains like Hilton and Marriott set an 18+ or 21+ minimum age but allow exceptions for younger guests. Where permitted, those under the standard age can often book under certain restrictions like:

• Requiring adult supervision - Guests under 18 or 21 must stay with a parent or guardian.
• Not renting certain room types - Suites or adjoining rooms may be unavailable.
• Limiting number of guests - Only allowing 1-2 underage guests per room.
• Setting security deposits - Charging an additional deposit for any damages.
• Restricting amenities - No allowing underage access to pools, gyms, etc.

Review a hotel's underage guest policies carefully before booking. Ensure you can comply with any special restrictions. Call ahead with any questions on how they handle guests under 18 or 21.

Top Tips for Booking Hotel Rooms at 19

Here are some key tips for navigating hotel age policies:

• Always call ahead about age requirements - Don't just rely on website descriptions which can be unclear.
• Be upfront about your age when booking - Clarify any rules and options for exceptions.
• Have valid ID at check-in - Bring photo ID confirming you meet the minimum age policies.
• Avoid busy periods - Hotels may be stricter about age during high demand times like holidays.
• Book refundable rates - In case a hotel rejects you at check-in, you won't lose your payment.
• Travel off-peak - Hotels may relax age rules during slower seasons.
• Consider branded apartments - Extended stay and suite brands often have lower age requirements.

With some preparation and planning, 19 year olds can almost always find hotel options. The key is researching hotel policies, calling ahead to verify, and being cooperative with any age-related rules or restrictions.

Handling Hotel Check-In as a 19 Year Old

The check-in process is quite straightforward if you've booked with a hotel that has an 18+ age minimum. Arrive on time, provide your photo ID confirming your age, pay any remaining deposit, get your room keys, and enjoy your stay. Having a credit card in your name can also smooth the check-in process.

If you've received special permission to stay at a 21+ or 25+ hotel, highlight this upon arrival. Politely remind staff of the exception if there is any hesitation checking you in. Also be prepared to pay any additional deposits and follow any other special check-in procedures.

Ultimately, as an adult, checking into a hotel at 19 is not very different than at

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.