Booking a hotel room can be frustrating at any age, especially for younger adults. 18-year-olds face additional restrictions that others do not.
Renting a hotel room should not be the barrier between you and your traveling desires. Some Wisconsin hotels accept 18-year-olds, and there are plenty of options in America’s dairyland.
Hotels in Wisconsin with 18+ Check-In
1. Milwaukee
- Drury Plaza Hotel Milwaukee Downtown
- Knickerbocker on the Lake
- Hilton Milwaukee City Center
- Kimpton Journeyman Hotel, an IHG Hotel
- The Pfister Hotel
Click here for Milwaukee Hotels with 18+ Check-In guide
2. Madison
- Home2 Suites By Hilton Madison Central Alliant Energy Center
- AmericInn by Wyndham Madison West
- Graduate Madison
- The Madison Concourse Hotel
- Hampton Inn Madison East Towne Mall Area
- Hilton Garden Inn Madison Downtown, WI
- Best Western Premier Park Hotel
- Hilton Madison Monona Terrace
- Hyatt Place Madison/Downtown
- DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown
- La Quinta by Wyndham Madison American Center
- Motel 6-Madison, WI - East
How Old Do You Have to be to Rent a Hotel Room in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, all solo hotel guests have to be at least 18 years old to purchase a hotel room. All hotels in Wisconsin follow this rule because it is U.S. law.
Additionally, some hotels uphold even stricter age requirements for room and board, increasing the minimum to 21 years of age.
Alternatives to Hotels for 18-Year-Olds
Searching for a place to stay in Wisconsin? Try one of these options instead of a hotel.
Youth Hostels
Youth hostels are a popular choice for young adult travelers for several reasons.
Most hostels are cheaper than hotel rooms while providing many of the same accommodations. There are several youth hostel options scattered throughout Wisconsin.
Airbnb
Airbnb allows 18-year-olds to book places to stay through their website. However, there are additional restrictions for customers under 25.
Airbnbs are different than hotels because you book through an individual host rather than a company. This provides guests with a personalized experience.
FAQs
Here are some popular questions about booking hotel rooms at 18 years old.
Do I need an I.D. to check in as an 18-year-old?
You should plan to bring some type of identity verification (driver’s license, passport, etc.) to hotel check-in. The hotel needs your I.D. to match the information they have on record from when you booked your room.
Do I need to bring a credit card to check in to a hotel?
If you have a credit card at 18, you can use it to purchase and check into your hotel room. If you do not, no worries! Most hotels also accept debit cards or checks.
Is it legal for an 18-year-old to check into a hotel in Wisconsin?
Many Wisconsin hotels allow 18-year-olds to purchase and check into a room by themselves. Try checking your hotel’s website or call and ask about further restrictions.
Why do Wisconsin hotels have strict age requirements to book a room?
All Wisconsin hotels have at least an 18-year-old age requirement to rent a room because this is the law.
Aside from following the law, hotels have adult-only check-in because it provides them with extra protection against the possibility of accidents or incurred damage. These restrictions also help prevent illegal underage activities.