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Original poster

To let two 17 year olds stay in a hotel in London on their own

193 replies

Susieblue18 · 23/02/2026 20:28

My son wants to go to an event at the O2 arena in March with a friend. They will be almost 17 but hotels are saying they can’t stay without an over 18 present. I even checked with St Christopher’s hostel and they’re the same, even with a room for 2. I know some of the premier Inns and travelodges are self check in, are they likely to get away with this? I phoned a couple of hotels but they’re said they will ask for ID.

OP posts:
AngryBird6122 · 25/02/2026 08:21

Susieblue18 · 23/02/2026 20:42

@SargeMargenot lying 🤔, my son will be 17 two days later, so yes, almost 17!

Yes, so 16 then 🤔

hulahooper2 · 25/02/2026 08:16

my dd works in a hotel , they will ask for id , and they will get turned away , and possibly not refunded. This is for insurance purposes

Delatron · 25/02/2026 08:15

I couldn’t wait to go on holiday abroad with my friend when I was 17. Had the best time and you do learn how to look after yourself. How to navigate airports/travel etc. I don’t believe in babying teenagers. We’ve gone too far in this country and they don’t learn the necessary skills.

Delatron · 25/02/2026 08:13

It sounds like YHA will be fine. Good to know.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 25/02/2026 07:54

Just save this sort of trip for when they are 18+. My first gig was at 16/17 with mates which only involved getting the train home from Manchester, 25 minutes. I would never have even had in my expectations to be allowed to travel the length of the country on my own for a concert, and wouldn't have been able to afford the travel or hotel, and neither would my mum or dad.

Same for DDs though London - train home, 40 minutes, we picked them up.

When I was 18 we went on holiday to Spain for a couple of weeks and coped very well. There's no rush. You spend a lot of years being an adult.

NoisyViewer · 25/02/2026 07:52

They’ll be asked for I.D. You could try find them an air bnb and book in your name where the key is left in a key box

PolyVagalNerve · 25/02/2026 07:48

RobinGoch · 25/02/2026 07:39

YHAs allow 16 and over

Agree -
I booked a couple of 16 year olds into YHA private room -
18+ for the dorms
OP just needs to make sure she’s booking private room !

Harassedmum123 · 25/02/2026 07:41

My son and his friend did similar last year to attend a concert. They used a premier inn which they knew had self check in and got away with it. I was nervous they wouldn’t. They were both 17, one of them nearly 18.

RobinGoch · 25/02/2026 07:39

YHAs allow 16 and over

RobinGoch · 25/02/2026 07:38

I was waiting to check in at a Premier the other day when two teenagers trying to self check in were asked for ID and when they showed they were under 18 they were turned away….. they were going to a gig too….

Delatron · 25/02/2026 07:35

Is this countrywide? My DS stayed in a hotel with friends in Cheltenham and they are all 17. Seems bizarre. Is this new? It’s just this country?

Gettingbysomehow · 25/02/2026 07:31

It does make me wonder now where my then 17 year old DS stayed when he went to a big concert in London that time (years ago) with a friend. They said they had a hotel room and mums friend had paid for it. Now Im thinking did they just wander about London all night 😨they seemed very pleased with themselves when they got back.

badboss2020 · 25/02/2026 07:24

Sorry just checked that and it seems they don’t. I think they used to.

badboss2020 · 25/02/2026 07:22

Honestly it’s a pain in the bum when they want to go to uni open days and can’t spend the night.
I thought travellodge allowed over 16 though?

Delatron · 24/02/2026 21:27

RampantIvy · 24/02/2026 21:25

I know capable adults who find the idea of navigating their way around London very daunting.

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Well they can figure it out and it’s a good lesson. Mine did it younger and are adept at it now at 16/17.

RampantIvy · 24/02/2026 21:25

Delatron · 24/02/2026 19:16

There is a lot of difference between a just turned 16 year old and one that is a few days away from being 17. If a nearly 17 year old can’t navigate their way across London with a friend there is something wrong….

I know capable adults who find the idea of navigating their way around London very daunting.

GoldenGail · 24/02/2026 21:15

FreshInks · 23/02/2026 20:52

The actual crazy thing about that is 16yo’s being allowed to marry!!

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you can’t have a drink at your wedding reception though 😂😂😂😂😂

Delatron · 24/02/2026 19:16

There is a lot of difference between a just turned 16 year old and one that is a few days away from being 17. If a nearly 17 year old can’t navigate their way across London with a friend there is something wrong….

PloddingAlong21 · 24/02/2026 19:02

OP you’re being daft considering this coach option.

2 x 16 year olds navigating the tube at 11pm without adult supervision when they have never been to London isn’t sensible. Throw in the fact you’re out of the country for the weekend - you’re in zero position to help them for whatever reason.

London has a lot of dodgy areas. As a woman nearing 40 I wouldn’t fancy travelling some part of London on my own at that time of night. That’s a lot for a 16 year old. They may be sensible but there are a lot of weirdos about.

GlasgowGal2014 · 24/02/2026 18:29

AttilaTheMeerkat · 24/02/2026 12:20

The Caledonian sleeper train starts boarding at that time for its later departure.

That's right! There seems to be a bit of confusion about when the sleeper actually leaves Euston, with some people quoting the boarding time and some people quoting the departure time. According to the Caledonian Sleeper website:

The Caledonian Sleeper departs London Euston for Scotland around 21:15 (Highland) and 23:45 (Lowland) nightly (Sunday-Friday), with boarding typically starting 45–60 minutes prior.

It would be the 23.45 departure OP's son needed with boarding starting 22.15-22.30.

Thechaseison71 · 24/02/2026 18:29

GlasgowGal2014 · 24/02/2026 18:22

Did you come on here to offer advice or to pick a fight? I'm not biting. You can have a virtual hug instead 🤗

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I'm not fighting. Genuinely cannot see what's different about making your way across London from getting off a train from wherever

GlasgowGal2014 · 24/02/2026 18:22

Thechaseison71 · 23/02/2026 23:22

Hoy is it different. Train in then transport across London to wherever.?

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Did you come on here to offer advice or to pick a fight? I'm not biting. You can have a virtual hug instead 🤗

Delatron · 24/02/2026 18:18

The Youth Hostel sounds fine - you could call them to check?

And no they are not too young. I hate all this infantilising of young adults on Mumsnet. I went on holiday abroad alone at this age. It’s ridiculous- they need to learn how to be independent at that age.

RampantIvy · 24/02/2026 18:07

Thechaseison71 · 24/02/2026 18:01

Will there be less risks in a years time?

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If they are 18 they will be able to stay in a hotel or airbnb.

Thechaseison71 · 24/02/2026 18:01

Wingingit73 · 24/02/2026 17:54

Too young. Too many risks.

Will there be less risks in a years time?