Philadelphia hotels you can book at 18

A taxable short hotel stay carries 15.5% in combined Philadelphia and Pennsylvania taxes. That would turn a hypothetical $200 room charge into $231 with these taxes alone, before any other charges.

Hotels with at least 50 rooms also fall under the Philadelphia Hospitality Investment Levy (PHiL), a 0.75% assessment on short-term room revenue. The assessment is taxable too, so it goes into the amount used to calculate hotel and sales taxes. It does not apply to every Philadelphia hotel.

If the same hypothetical $200 room has that assessment, it adds $1.50 before the 15.5% tax is calculated. The result is $232.73, rounded, with any other charges still to come. When comparing a base room price with a quote that includes taxes and the assessment, use the full amounts rather than adding those charges a second time.

At the University of Pennsylvania, a student can host you for up to three days and two nights in a two-week period. Their roommates, suitemates or apartment mates must agree first. If your visit runs longer, you'll need somewhere else to sleep for the extra nights.

Penn guests who aren't enrolled students must sign in through its guest-registration system, the RHS Portal, and carry ID. Your host must accompany you and carry a valid PennCard. You can't stay in their room while they're out, borrow their key or PennCard, or sleep in common areas. A hotel where you can check in at 18 is worth considering if you need a room you can use independently of your friend's schedule.

Hosts for Hospitals is a lodging program for patients and people supporting them during care at a Greater Philadelphia medical facility. Its service fee is $20 per night per family, rather than per person, so it can be worth exploring before paying for a hotel.

The program screens applicants, who must have a permanent home to return to and live far enough away that commuting is difficult. Patients need to manage independently or have a support person with them. Age and family size don't automatically rule you out, but every guest aged 18 or older needs a personal character reference.

You'll usually share a home with hosts present, although other housing is sometimes available. Food, transportation and toiletries are your responsibility. To apply, call 484-380-2999 or use the program's online application. Staff look for housing that fits your needs and confirm whether a place is available; keep your hotel plan until you have a confirmed match.