Can I get a hotel room in the US when I am 18 years old?

I came across a website that did a survey of hotels that allow 18 year olds. These include chains such as Marriott and Best Western, and chains that have restrictions that require you to be older such as 19 at Fairmont hotels and Choice hotels (19 or 21). Well worth a read with a list of links to hotel policies.

It also provides general advice on searching:

It can be state, county or even city law that determines the minimum check in age, rather than the hotel chain. This is why hotels don’t tend to exclusively commit to a minimum age. This means you should use this list to find hotels that let you check in at 18 – but then you must also call the exact location where you’re hoping to stay. This is to check if the locality will forbid you staying even though the hotel chain would let you stay otherwise.

As an alternative, Seattle's got a nice hostel that I have stayed at https://www.hihostels.com/hostels/hi-seattle-at-the-american-hotel, age is not an issue, and cheaper than a hotel anyway.

You could always use Airbnb if you're older than 18 and the hotels deny you.

The age of majority in most US states and territories is 18: the exceptions are Alabama (19), Mississippi (21), Nebraska (19) and Puerto Rico (21) (source: Wikipedia). That is, most US states class an 18-year-old as an adult. Not being able to drink until you're 21 is a different issue.

I've noticed that for most of the higher end ones it tends to be 21. However some hotels tend not to care and will check you in even if you give them an ID that says you're 18. Keep in mind that while state law might dictate that the check-in age is 18, the hotel itself might specify that you must be 21. I would call the hotel and ask to be sure.

According to Hilton Hotel's "site usage and Information Agreement", you can book a room via their website if you're 18 or older.

You must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to reserve a room on this website. If you are under the age of eighteen, you may contact the hotel directly for assistance.

You can use Google to search for hotels which accept reservations from 18+.

I live in Seattle, so I can safely say that you will have no problems booking a room. In the United States, you are legally an adult at 18 years of age. The only things you can't do are drinking and gambling (you have to be 21 for those).

Some hotels might have a minimum age requirement, but that would be a rare exception. They may ask for a damage deposit, but you will get that deposit back when you check out. Many will also require you to book the room on a credit card before you arrive, but you can pay with any form of payment when you check-out. The credit card just holds the room and secures the damage deposit.

If you will be renting a car while you're here, that's a different story. Most car rental companies require you to be at least 25 years old. You need to make sure you have transportation when you get here, because you will likely not be able to get a car rental. Public transportation is reliable but slow and sparse outside the main downtown areas.

Also be prepared for heavy taxes. Seattle has a particularly high tourism tax, so expect to pay about 20% more than the room's advertised rate.

A hotel in the Seattle area that WILL allow an 18 or 19 year old to rent a room is the rare one.My 19 year old and her 2 freinds booked a room, the hotel took their money online without confirming age and the age requirement was on the page but you had to hunt for it. They drove 5 hours. Arrived at 11PM (after working all day) and were told they could not stay. Had to hunt for another hotel. Frustrating for them and scary for me. All they need to do is lock the stupid mini fridge if they are worried about them drinking.So mad. She is an adult.