Hotel rules, rooms and fees, explained before you check in
How old you have to be to get a room in your state, what your room includes, what booking and cancelling really cost, and how to stay safe on the road. An independent guide for hotel guests: we are not a hotel and take no reservations.
Guide key
- PoliciesCheck-in age, length of stay, occupancy and changing your plans.28 guides
- RoomsBeds, towels, coffee, TVs and what the room includes.14 guides
- Hotel types and termsBoutique, capsule, extended-stay, half board and wet bars.16 guides
- BookingBooking direct, free rooms and what a dog hotel costs.4 guides
- EtiquetteTipping the valet and old key cards.2 guides
- Safety & SecurityYour door, storms, smoke detection and injuries.7 guides
- DestinationsLas Vegas, the Disney monorail and Cancun airport.15 guides
- Bed and breakfastsWhat a B&B is and what to expect.5 guides
Check-in age, state by state
Hotels set their own minimum age; most US properties ask for 18 and some ask for 21. Each guide covers that state's rules, ID and deposit requirements.
- United States: the general rule18
Most hotels require guests to be 18, some require 21.
- Alabama19
Alabama's age of majority is 19, so most hotels require 19 or 21, not 18.
- Arizona18
Most hotels require 18, some require 21.
- Arkansas18
Most hotels require 18, some 21.
- Colorado18–21
Most hotels require 18 or 21.
- Indiana18
Most Indiana hotels let you rent a room at 18, but some properties require 21.
- Iowa18
Most hotels require 18, Iowa's age of majority, while some set the minimum at 21.
- Kansas18
Most hotels require 18, some 21.
- Kentucky18
Most Kentucky hotels let guests check in at 18, but some properties set the minimum at 21.
- Louisiana18
Most Louisiana hotels let you check in at 18, though some properties require 21.
- Maryland18
Usually 18, the state's age of majority, but some hotels require 21.
- Michigan18
Most Michigan hotels let you rent a room at 18, while some properties require 21.
- Minnesota18
Most Minnesota hotels let you rent a room at 18, but some properties require 21.
- Missouri18
Most Missouri hotels let you check in at 18, some require 21.
- Nebraska18
Most Nebraska hotels let you check in at 18, some require 21.
- New York18
Most New York hotels require guests to be 18 to book and check in, and some require 21.
- North Carolina18
Most hotels require 18, some require 21.
- Oklahoma18
Most Oklahoma hotels let guests check in at 18, while some properties require 21.
- Pennsylvania18
Most Pennsylvania hotels let you rent a room at 18, but some properties require 21.
- Tennessee18
Most Tennessee hotels let you check in at 18, while some properties in Nashville and elsewhere require 21.
- Texas18
Most Texas hotels let you check in at 18, though some properties require 21.
- Utah18
Most Utah hotels let guests check in at 18, but some properties require 21.
- Washington18
Most Washington hotels let guests check in at 18, but some properties require 21.
Quick answers
- How old do you have to be to get a hotel room? 18
- Usually 18. In the US and most countries, guests must be at least 18 to check in without an adult, though some properties set their minimum at 21. Hotel age requirements and ID rules →
- Can you cancel a hotel reservation after checking in? Early departure
- You can cut the stay short, but it is usually handled as an early departure, not a cancellation. Nights you have used are owed; unused nights may be refunded depending on the rate, and some hotels charge an early departure fee. Early departure fees and refunds →
- Is it cheaper to book directly with the hotel? Sometimes
- Sometimes. Booking direct can mean lower prices, fewer fees or added perks, but online travel agencies may have lower rates, especially during sales. Direct booking vs. third-party sites →
- Is the coffee in hotel rooms free? Usually free
- In most hotels, yes: in-room coffee is complimentary and included with your stay. Some places charge for extra coffee or specialty options, so check for signs or notes in the room. When in-room coffee costs extra →
- How much should you tip the hotel valet? $2–$5
- $2 to $5, given when the valet returns your car, per the Emily Post Institute. Tip toward the higher end at upscale hotels, in bad weather, or when the valet goes out of the way for you. Valet tipping etiquette →
- Is hotel WiFi safe to use? Usually safe
- Usually safe for everyday browsing, because most websites and apps now encrypt your data, according to the FTC. The real risks are fake networks, the occasional unencrypted site or app, and scams. How to stay safe on hotel WiFi →
What's in a hotel room
Room sizes, towels, sheets, hair dryers and the other things guests wonder about before they pack.
- How big is a hotel room250–400 sq ft
Many standard U.S. rooms run about 250 to 400 square feet.
- Do hotels provide towelsYes
Nearly all supply bath and hand towels, and many add washcloths.
- Hotel sheet thread count200–400
Most hotel sheets have a thread count of 200 to 400.
- Why hotel beds feel so good
A supportive coil mattress, a plush pillow top, many pillows, and crisp cotton sheets that are laundered often.
- Hair dryers in European hotelsMost
Most mid-range and upscale ones do, often wall-mounted.
- What to bring to a hotel
Toiletries within TSA liquid limits, chargers, ID, medicines in original bottles, and small comfort items for better sleep.
Booking, stays and fees
Read these before you reserve: what direct booking saves, what changing your dates costs, and how long and with how many people you can stay.
- Booking direct with the hotelOften
Often, thanks to member rates and price matching, but compare full totals, fees included, across sites.
- Cancelling after check-in
It usually becomes an early departure: you owe nights used, and a fee may apply.
- Extending your stayUsually
Usually yes, if rooms are free.
- How long you can stay~30 nights
No law sets a limit, but some hotels cap stays near 30 nights because long stays can create tenant rights.
- How many people per room
Many two-bed rooms allow up to four guests, but each hotel sets limits by room type.
- Free hotel rooms
Earn and redeem hotel loyalty points, use travel card perks you pay off in full, and watch for bonus-point promotions.
Hotel types, explained
What the labels on a booking site actually mean for your stay.
- Boutique hotel
A boutique hotel is a small, design-led hotel with a distinct personality.
- Extended stay hotel
An extended stay hotel offers suites with kitchens for stays of a week or more.
- Limited-service hotel
A limited-service hotel offers clean rooms, Wi-Fi and often breakfast, but no full restaurant or concierge.
- Select-service hotel
A select-service hotel offers breakfast, Wi-Fi, a gym and sometimes a small bar, without full room service.
- Capsule hotel
A capsule hotel rents small private sleeping pods with shared bathrooms and lounges.
- Half board
Half board at a hotel means your rate includes breakfast and one other meal, usually dinner.
Staying safe at a hotel
Practical steps for your room and your stay, plus what to know when a storm or an injury is involved.
- Securing your door
A hanger adds little real protection; use the deadbolt and swing bar first.
- Is a hotel safe in a hurricane
Safety depends on distance from the coast, elevation, and whether officials have ordered an evacuation.
- How hotels detect smoking$350+
Fees vary by hotel and can reach $350 or more.
- Injured at a hotel
Get medical care, report it to a manager, photograph the hazard, collect witness details, and check your state's filing deadline.
Where to stay
Answers for specific trips: Las Vegas hotels, the Disney monorail resorts and the ride from Cancun airport.
- Hotels on the Las Vegas StripAbout 30
About 30 major resorts line its 4.2 miles, from Mandalay Bay to The STRAT.
- Vegas hotels with a lazy river
Mandalay Bay and MGM Grand on the Strip, plus Tahiti Village off the Strip.
- Disney hotels on the monorail
Three Disney hotels are on the Walt Disney World monorail: the Contemporary, the Polynesian Village and the Grand Floridian, all on the Resort line.
- Cancun airport taxi
Fares depend on your hotel's location.
Recent guides
- FAQ
What Is a Limited-Service Hotel: Definition, Features, and Examples
- Etiquette
What to Do With Old Hotel Key Cards: Return, Reuse, or Dispose
- Room Features
How to Decorate a Hotel Room: A Practical Guide for Any Occasion
- Safety & Security
Is a Hotel Safe During a Hurricane? What to Know Before You Stay
- Destinations
How Much Is a Taxi from Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone: Rates and Transportation Options
- Safety & Security
Do Hotels Have Generators for Hurricanes: Emergency Power Systems Explained
- Policies
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Hotel Room in Kansas: Everything You Need to Know
- Policies
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Hotel Room in Washington: Age Requirements and Booking Guidelines