Be aware of hotel's age policy before you book a room

GemStateMom

GemStateMom

5-Year Member
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Nov 4, 2010
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I just wanted to give parents a heads up on our hotel experience. I planned my son's trip to the CGA for the Cadet for a Day program. Due to finances, and the fact that he is already 18, we decided to send him on his own. He was flying in to PVD, and we booked a room for him for two separate nights - the one before and the one after the program. When checking with the hotel on a different matter the night before he was flying out, I mentioned that he was 18, and found out that in no uncertain terms he would not be allowed to check in without someone 21 years old with him. I called the hotel 1-800 number, and they called the hotel as well, with no luck (these hotels are independently owned and operated). Sorry we can't help you was basically the message, but they did offer to give us phone numbers for other hotels. The hotel clerk told me she thought the whole state was the same, but fortunately we found a motel he could check in to being 18. Just want to let everyone know to check, because their website did not have any warnings that I saw (If they were there, they were not noticeable). I was in panic mode until I confirmed a new reservation......By the way, the NO ONE UNDER 21 hotel was the Best Western Airport Inn. Funny how these boys are old enough to join the service and be willing to risk their lives for their country, but are not old enough to check into a hotel room.
 
I found the same thing when booking a hotel for my son, who is already at USAFA, for coming home for Thanksgiving. Can't get him all the way home due to a late class/flight schedules on Tuesday night so was trying to find him a hotel with a shuttle near the Minneapolis airport. I was amazed that about half the hotels were 18 and about half were 21, and even with a credit card and MILITARY ID :rolleyes:, no exceptions at the 21 hotels.

Interestingly, most of the cheaper chain hotels (Super 8, Days Inn) were the ones that were okay with 18, while the classier hotels (won't name them since I can't recall exactly who I called) were the 21's. It seems ridiculous with the ID at least - it's not like they can't track them down and get them in all kinds of trouble if by chance they do cause any damages or anything! :wink:
 
The "age of majority" laws in many states specifically exclude:

renting automobiles
purchasing/consuming alcohol,
purchasing hotel rooms,

from their statutes pertaining to minimum age.
 
So, if I understand what you are saying, even though the age of consent in Rhode Island is 18, these activities (renting a room, renting a car, etc) are exempt from the age of consent. Does this mean that 18-year-olds can not perform these activities, or does that mean a business can choose to not follow the age of consent?
 
I know the same thing goes for Delaware, that you have to be 21 to get a hotel room. I remember first hearing about this at Boys State... back in the day... where one of the American Legion Vets running it mentioned it to us. I hear it bothers quite a few passing through Dover Air Force Base.

So, it just goes on the list of things. I can be trusted with a rifle/sidearm, pilot a couple million dollars worth of equipment, as well as throw myself into dangerous situations to protect the American people;
Yet I can't drink, rent a car, or get a hotel room....
 
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