Allowed age for hotels

[Class800]

In my day looking old enough was fine, how the world has changed for the worse.

 

[richw]

The last few premier inns I’ve stayed at had self check in, so unless you look young to raise suspicion, can you find if the relevant premier inn has self checkin

 

[Class800]

The last few premier inns I’ve stayed at had self check in, so unless you look young to raise suspicion, can you find if the relevant premier inn has self checkin

I apparently looked 35 when I was 21

 

[Bletchleyite]

The last few premier inns I’ve stayed at had self check in, so unless you look young to raise suspicion, can you find if the relevant premier inn has self checkin

Plenty have it but it's always right near the desk and often not working.

Do not risk this. You could find yourself stranded alone, outdoors, overnight.

I would strongly recommend the OP replans their journey to allow use of a YHA hostel.

 

[HST43257]

Boys - maybe wearing a sharp suit on arrival makes you look older?

I seem to think that this may be impractical on a week long trip that I’m planning to travel light on

It's an old-fashioned way of doing it, but I would suggest contacting the local tourist board to see if they have a list of accommodation that would fit the bill, or would be able to help find something: https://www.visitshropshire.co.uk/contact-us/ Not all tourist boards are helpful with accommodation now that "everything is online", but some are and it's worth a try.

Thanks, I have done this and I’ll hopefully get a reply soon

unless you look young to raise suspicion, can you find if the relevant premier inn has self checkin

Im fairly small for my age so I wouldn’t be convincing trying to be an 18 year old

I would strongly recommend the OP replans their journey to allow use of a YHA hostel.

I agree, that would be ideal. However the nature of my trip at that point means that there’s rural, infrequent lines to travel on before and after - so if I can find anything in Shrewsbury then I will.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

The hilarious and tragic irony, if a hotel refuses to let you sleep there for safety reasons (due to you being too young) - and then sending you out on to the streets.

Also, I used both Premier Inn and Travelodge many times before turning 18 last June and it was no problem at all.

 

[Nym]

Kind of fun that you can start full time work at 16, but if that work requires you to travel, neither of the two leading business travel hotels in the country will allow you to stay.

 

[Howardh]

I used to YHA a lot in the 80's and 90's and still would in my sixties (youth....ha!) but gave up when they started closing down the isolated and non-profitable hostels - the ones I loved. Therefore it's worth exploring independent YH's (I believe some near Grasmere were YHA but are now indy) and checking their age requirements. There are also independents in the cities, I know of one in Manchester near Piccadilly, but other than it's location I have no experience of it so can't vouch.

 

[RobertDavis]

Tough one.

 

[alxndr]

Kind of fun that you can start full time work at 16, but if that work requires you to travel, neither of the two leading business travel hotels in the country will allow you to stay.

Indeed, I stayed in a Premier Inn at 17 for work purposes in 2014. I'm not sure what they would do these days if there is an age limit, there weren't any alternative hotels in that town.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Indeed, I stayed in a Premier Inn at 17 for work purposes in 2014. I'm not sure what they would do these days if there is an age limit, there weren't any alternative hotels in that town.

The requirement to have an 18+ in the room also causes conflicts with many organisations' Safeguarding policies (e.g. Scouting) that an adult absolutely must not share sleeping accommodation with a child, which at least in Scouting's case is a strict non-negotiable rule, which if breached is very likely to result in a permanent ban for the adult. Scouting wouldn't tend to use hotels anyway as they're too expensive, but no doubt it also causes issues with e.g. apprentices.

I think Safeguarding is ironically likely to be the reason - you'd probably want the staff DBS checked if kids could stay there without adults. Hostel staff generally are because lone kids are the norm.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

The requirement to have an 18+ in the room also causes conflicts with many organisations' Safeguarding policies (e.g. Scouting) that an adult absolutely must not share sleeping accommodation with a child, which at least in Scouting's case is a strict non-negotiable rule, which if breached is very likely to result in a permanent ban for the adult. Scouting wouldn't tend to use hotels anyway as they're too expensive, but no doubt it also causes issues with e.g. apprentices.

Don't Scouts camp in tents? (Shudder)

Indeed, I stayed in a Premier Inn at 17 for work purposes in 2014. I'm not sure what they would do these days if there is an age limit, there weren't any alternative hotels in that town.

I have stayed in several Premier Inns when I was seventeen, and they have never asked my age. If they had have done, what could be done? They cannot expect me to carry around ID purely to stay in a hotel, and if they're that fussed about an under 18 staying in a hotel on their own they should definitely be opposed to kicking one out to sleep on the streets.

 

[Trainbike46]

The requirement to have an 18+ in the room also causes conflicts with many organisations' Safeguarding policies (e.g. Scouting) that an adult absolutely must not share sleeping accommodation with a child, which at least in Scouting's case is a strict non-negotiable rule, which if breached is very likely to result in a permanent ban for the adult. Scouting wouldn't tend to use hotels anyway as they're too expensive, but no doubt it also causes issues with e.g. apprentices.

I think Safeguarding is ironically likely to be the reason - you'd probably want the staff DBS checked if kids could stay there without adults. Hostel staff generally are because lone kids are the norm.

Which raises the question, why don't hotels DBS check their staff (or at least the relevant members of staff)?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Which raises the question, why don't hotels DBS check their staff (or at least the relevant members of staff)?

Because it isn't worth the cost to them of doing so when they can just instead require adults to be present. Most of the time under 18s don't need to stay alone in hotels (hostels are targetted at that market), so it is not business that is worth it for them, and they have no obligation to provide for it.

 

[Trainbike46]

On school trips I have stayed in hotels before I was 18, no clue how they worked that out, but they somehow must have! Maybe group bookings where the adults are in different rooms to the under-18s would be allowed? That could solve the issue for scouting/apprentices etc.

 

[Bletchleyite]

On school trips I have stayed in hotels before I was 18, no clue how they worked that out, but they somehow must have! Maybe group bookings where the adults are in different rooms to the under-18s would be allowed? That could solve the issue for scouting/apprentices etc.

Only time I've stayed in a hotel on a school trip we had exclusive use so it was probably a special arrangement with the teachers having agreed to take on supervision. But even that was years ago.

I can see them allowing it if they have interconnecting doors, which would be allowed under Scouting rules provided they were closed before bed. Premier Inns don't, though.

 

[Trainbike46]

Because it isn't worth the cost to them of doing so when they can just instead require adults to be present. Most of the time under 18s don't need to stay alone in hotels (hostels are targetted at that market), so it is not business that is worth it for them, and they have no obligation to provide for it.

Are DBS checks that expensive? I have been DBS checked loads of times for various types of volunteering, so I thought it must be cheap, though I might be wrong about that!

 

[Trainbike46]

Only time I've stayed in a hotel on a school trip we had exclusive use so it was probably a special arrangement with the teachers having agreed to take on supervision. But even that was years ago.

I can see them allowing it if they have interconnecting doors, which would be allowed under Scouting rules provided they were closed before bed. Premier Inns don't, though.

I have to admit on trips in the UK we always stayed in hostels, so might be a uk-specific issue anyway

 

[Bletchleyite]

Are DBS checks that expensive? I have been DBS checked loads of times for various types of volunteering, so I thought it must be cheap, though I might be wrong about that!

Enhanced DBS checks for child workers are around £50 a pop, but free for volunteer roles. It's not a huge sum, but budget hotels operate on, er, a tight budget. It's also extra responsibility for staff who are probably only getting the minimum wage anyway.

 

[richw]

Don't Scouts camp in tents? (Shudder)

I have stayed in several Premier Inns when I was seventeen, and they have never asked my age. If they had have done, what could be done? They cannot expect me to carry around ID purely to stay in a hotel, and if they're that fussed about an under 18 staying in a hotel on their own they should definitely be opposed to kicking one out to sleep on the streets.

I’ve booked a EasyHotel for next month. It says in their T&Cs ID must be presented at check in. Whether that’s reality I don’t know

 

[transportphoto]

Which raises the question, why don't hotels DBS check their staff (or at least the relevant members of staff)?

Theres also the consideration of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act to bear in mind.

 

[RobertDavis]

Well, technically, most hotels require their guests to be over 18. However, ever since I was 16, I've been traveling by myself, and I've never had any problems with that. Oh, wait! I'm lying! I was traveling around Australia, and this one luxury accommodation near me required guests to be 21+. But you guys cannot imagine how badly I wanted to stay at that hotel. It's super posh, and their breakfasts just look phenomenal. I'm turning 21 soon, so I should probably go back. Oh, I remember I stayed at Premier Inn when I was 17, and they didn't mind my age. So, I believe you could try this hotel chain.

 

[_toommm_]

I’ve booked a EasyHotel for next month. It says in their T&Cs ID must be presented at check in. Whether that’s reality I don’t know

I’ve never been asked for ID when checking into an EasyHotel as I’ve already paid by card, and they have my card details on file. I’m 22 but probably look a bit older as it’s very rare for me to get ID’d for alcohol. This isn’t a guarantee of course, but I’ve used a few locations of EasyHotels and never been asked for ID, merely been asked to fill out a form with my name, home address etc.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Don't think I have ever been asked for ID by any UK hotel. However it is a legal requirement to check ID at hotels and hostels if paying cash.

The YHA do however ask for ID, I think of any guest over 18.

 

[richw]

I’ve never been asked for ID when checking into an EasyHotel as I’ve already paid by card, and they have my card details on file. I’m 22 but probably look a bit older as it’s very rare for me to get ID’d for alcohol. This isn’t a guarantee of course, but I’ve used a few locations of EasyHotels and never been asked for ID, merely been asked to fill out a form with my name, home address etc.

Interesting on their app it says I can check in and use a function of my phone as a key to enter the room. Presumably that would involve just walking straight to my room with no contact. I’ll explore it in a few weeks on my stay

 

[rg177]

I’ve never been asked for ID when checking into an EasyHotel as I’ve already paid by card, and they have my card details on file. I’m 22 but probably look a bit older as it’s very rare for me to get ID’d for alcohol. This isn’t a guarantee of course, but I’ve used a few locations of EasyHotels and never been asked for ID, merely been asked to fill out a form with my name, home address etc.

I was asked for ID when checking into an easyHotel at age 19. At the time I probably looked around that age too, so it can definitely happen (albeit rarely).

I'd already made payment too.