If you’re heading to Ohio to check out the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleaveland or to frolic around the capital of Columbus before you arrive, you’ll want to make sure you have a safe and comfortable place to stay.
Finding a hotel that will allow you to check in as an 18-year-old can be a little tricky, and you don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute.
This guide will give you all the information you need if you are under 21 years old and looking for a hotel in Ohio.
Hotels in Ohio with 18+ Check-In
1. Columbus
- Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Polaris
- Graduate Columbus
- Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Convention Center
- Hyatt House Columbus OSU Short North
- Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus Polaris
- Residence Inn by Marriott Columbus OSU
- Residence Inn by Marriott Columbus Polaris
- Aloft Columbus Easton
- Residence Inn by Marriott Columbus Airport
- Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus/University Area
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Columbus Airport
- Hilton Columbus Downtown
- FRONTDESK LC Riversouth 205 Apts Downtown Columbus
- Mint House Columbus - Capitol Square
- Aloft Columbus
- Moxy Columbus Short North
- Red Roof Inn PLUS+ Columbus Downtown - Convention Center
- Crowne Plaza Columbus North - Worthington, an IHG Hotel
- Red Roof Inn PLUS+ Columbus - Ohio State University OSU
- Motel 6 - Columbus, OH OSU
2. Cleveland
- Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown
- Hilton Cleveland Downtown
- The Glidden House
- InterContinental Suites Hotel Cleveland
- Holiday Inn Cleveland Clinic
- Metropolitan at The 9, Autograph Collection
- Kimpton Schofield Hotel, an IHG Hotel
- Residence Inn by Marriott Cleveland University Circle/Medical Center
- InterContinental Cleveland
- The Ritz-Carlton
- La Quinta by Wyndham Cleveland - Airport North
- ROOST Cleveland
- La Naranja Retreat - Cozy Duplex Near Downtown
- FRONTDESK Athlon Apts Downtown Cleveland
- Extended Stay America Select Suites - Airport
- Graduate Cincinnati
- Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza
- The Summit Hotel
- The Lytle Park Hotel, Autograph Collection
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Cincinnati Midtown
- AC Hotel by Marriott Cincinnati at The Banks
- Residence Inn by Marriott Cincinnati Downtown/The Phelps
- Staybridge Suites - Cincinnati East - Milford, an IHG Hotel
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Cincinnati Uptown/University Area
- Amazing Two Bedroom Condo minutes from Paul Brown Stadium 607
- 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati
- Lavish Downtown Condo with Rooftop Lounge 337
- Symphony Hotel & Restaurant
- The Westin Cincinnati
- Cincy Dream! Walk to Zoo, UC, hospitals, and Short Vine district
- Drury Inn & Suites Dayton North
- Home2 Suites By Hilton Dayton Vandalia
- Soda At Downtown Dayton
- Courtyard by Marriott Dayton North
- WoodSpring Suites Dayton North
- Residence Inn Dayton North
- TownePlace Suites Dayton North
- Best Western Plus Dayton Northwest
- Extended Stay America Select Suites - Dayton - Miamisburg
- Hotel Ardent Dayton Downtown, Tapestry Collection By Hilton
- Inn Port D'Vino
- Motel 6-Dayton, OH
- Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Dayton North
How Old Do You Have to Be To Rent A Hotel Room in Ohio?
Legally, you only have to be 18 to rent a room in Ohio. Yay!
While it’s technically legal to check into a hotel while 18, hotels set their own policies, and most of them require a minimum check-in age of 21.
Alternatives to Hotels for 18-Year-Olds
Here are a few hotel alternatives if you can’t find a hotel in Ohio that meets your needs.
Airbnb
Like hotels, Airbnb hosts do get to set their own age requirements. Most of the hosts will allow 18-year-olds to check in. Double-check a host’s policy so that you’re not left out in the cold.
Airbnbs will give you a more personal experience but can be as expensive or more expensive than a hotel.
Hostels
Youth hostels pretty much exist to cater to younger guests, who either can’t check into standard hotels or who don’t have regular hotel money. Because they’re meant for youth travelers, they are usually located in a city’s downtown or somewhere of particular interest.
You will save money at a hostel. However, they aren’t going to be as private or comfortable as a hotel room.
FAQs
Let’s take a look at some common questions regarding hotels with 19+ check-in:
Will I need I.D. to check in as an 18-year-old?
You will need an I.D. to check into a hotel. They want to make sure you are who you say you are and that you are, in fact, 18.
If you don’t have a state-issued I.D. card or driver’s license, contact the hotel to see if they’ll accept other forms of identification.
Will I need a credit card to check in?
Hotels will ask for a credit card upon check-in, even if you’ve already paid for the room online. If you don’t have a credit card, most hotels will accept debit cards. They just want to make sure you’re going to pay for any damages or late-night mini-bar decisions.
Is it legal for an 18-year-old to check in to a hotel in Ohio?
Legally, yes, an 18-year-old is allowed to check in to a hotel unless the hotel’s policy specifies otherwise.
Remember, hotels do get to set their own ages, so they don’t have to rent a room to an 18-year-old, even if it is legal for them to do so.
Why do some hotels in Ohio have an age requirement of 21?
Hotels are aware of the fact that while 18-year-olds are no longer minors, the legal drinking age is 21.
Underage drinking puts the property at risk of damage, and it also puts them at risk of legal problems. Because of these increased risks, their insurance policies can be larger if they allow 18-year-olds to check-in.