Before you get too excited about scarfing down a Philly cheesesteak or visiting The Andy Warhol Museum, you need to make sure you have a place to stay for your trip. Unfortunately, not all hotels allow 18-year-olds to check-in.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about finding a hotel in Pennsylvania as an 18-year-old.
Pennsylvania Hotels with 18+ Check-In
1. Philadelphia
4 Star Hotels:
- Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
- The Study at University City, Study Hotels
- Club Quarters Hotel Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, an IHG Hotel
- Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia
- Sonder The Heid
- Sonder The Queen
- Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square
- The Tidewater
- Philadelphia Airport Marriott
- The Inn at Penn, A Hilton Hotel
- Sonder at Sixteen Hundred
3 Star Hotels:
- The Arco powered by Sonder
- Sonder The Witherspoon
- Mint House at The Divine Lorraine Hotel
- Sonder at The Terrace
- Sonder The Mint
2 Star Hotels:
1 Star Hotels:
Click here for Philadelphia Hotels with 18+ Check-In guide
2. Pittsburgh
4 Star Hotels:
- Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh, an IHG Hotel
- The Industrialist Hotel, Pittsburgh, Autograph Collection
3 Star Hotels:
- Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown
- Drury Inn & Suites Pittsburgh Airport Settlers Ridge
- Traveler's Rest Hotel
2 Star Hotels:
Click here for Pittsburgh Hotels with 18+ Check-In guide
3. Allentown
How Old Do You Have To Be To Rent a Hotel Room in Pennsylvania?
You have to be at least 18 years old to rent a hotel room in Pennsylvania. However, most hotels have a minimum check-in age requirement of 21.
Fortunately, there are some hotels that allow 18-year-olds to check in, and you can find those hotels above.
FAQs
What if I don’t have an I.D. to check in as an 18-year-old?
Hotels want to make sure you are who you say you are. If you don’t have a driver’s license or state I.D., reach out to the hotel and ask if they accept any other forms of identification.
What if I don’t have a credit card to check in as an 18-year-old?
Most, if not all, hotels will ask for a credit card at check-in. If you don’t have one, a debit card, such as a Visa or Mastercard, should work. Of course, you can always reach out to the hotel ahead of time if you’re worried.
Can you get a hotel at 18 in Pennsylvania? Is it legal?
Yes, you can get a hotel at 18 in Pennsylvania. While it is legal for 18-year-olds to check in to Pennsylvania hotels, it doesn’t mean hotels legally have to rent to 18-year-olds. So select from the above list of 18+ hotels, as all these properties welcome guests under 21.
Why do most hotels have an age requirement of 21?
Basically, the younger you are, the riskier you are, and hotels often can’t afford to give people under 21 the benefit of the doubt.
Alternatives to Hotels for 18-Year-Olds
Hotels aren’t the only option if you’re planning a trip to Pennsylvania. Check out these other options.
Youth Hostels
It’s right there in the name. Youth hostels cater to younger guests. They exist so that people whose youth or bank account prevents them from staying in a hotel will still have a place to rest their heads between adventures.
You might have to sleep in a bunk bed, use a shared bathroom, and secure your things in a locker. Still, hostels have huge upsides, like access to a kitchen and group sightseeing activities.
Airbnb
Airbnb does have an under-25 age policy that makes it a little more challenging to book a local property if you’re under 25, but it doesn’t hinder your ability to check in to a room while you’re far away from home.
Why stay in a boring old hotel anyway when you could book a cabin with a jacuzzi or a cool place in the hippest part of town?
Campervan
If your Pennsylvania trip is part of a more extensive road trip, you could also consider renting a campervan or R.V. This is an excellent option if you’re traveling with friends or family.