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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:
Doone22 · 24/02/2026 17:58

It's a bit shit but you'll have to book rooms, go and do something else you like for the night

Wingingit73 · 24/02/2026 17:54

Too young. Too many risks.

RampantIvy · 24/02/2026 17:45

Babyhills · 24/02/2026 16:52

What about an Airbnb

No they can't book an airbnb. You need to be 18 or over to book. You also can't book on behalf of anyone else as it violates airbnb's policy against third party bookings.

Babyhills · 24/02/2026 16:52

What about an Airbnb

CantBreathe90 · 24/02/2026 13:57

BringBackCatsEyes · 24/02/2026 08:47

I ticked guest under 18 and got that warning. How do you book for 16 year olds?

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I've not booked with them in recent years. Are you not a able to just acknowledge the warning and then carry on with the booking? If not, I'd try calling them.

BeverleyBrooks · 24/02/2026 12:42

BringBackCatsEyes · 24/02/2026 08:47

I ticked guest under 18 and got that warning. How do you book for 16 year olds?

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Yes the warning pops up but you can still book it! It’s just a warning message in case they are under 16. It doesn’t stop you from making a booking!

OP - THEY CAN BOOK A YOUTH HOSTEL

If the issue is them being in London on their own, that’s a different issue, I think only you can judge if they are mature enough.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 24/02/2026 12:20

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

WTAFIsWrongWithPeople · 24/02/2026 10:20

Susieblue18 · 23/02/2026 22:10

Yeah, it’s for UFC. I don’t know what time it finishes and am just worried that it would take ages to get back on the tube. I don’t know London well at all. Do you know what time it finishes, I thought it would be around 11pm

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The issue with the O2 is there is only one tube line that services it, and when 50,000+ people leave the arena it’s a slow process to get down to the platforms. It’s a lot easier if you are heading east towards Stratford than west towards central London.

Lordofmyflies · 24/02/2026 10:06

Its does seem crazy. If either of my 16 / 17 yrs old want to go to a concert, either my DH or I end up going with them and booking a family room with premier inn. Its the only solution we've found as they are asked for id.

PhaedraWas · 24/02/2026 10:01

AttilaTheMeerkat · 24/02/2026 08:56

Are your son’s friend’s parents aware of these issues?

Can either of his friend’s parents travel to London with them as you cannot go?. The main problem is that both your son and his friend are not old enough to make a hotel booking.

The Caledonian sleeper from Euston boards at 10:30pm.

It leaves at 23.45 for Edinburgh and Glasgow.

LancashireButterPie · 24/02/2026 09:27

PolyVagalNerve · 23/02/2026 21:03

Book a YHA
private room
not dorm
they are good and safe

This.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 24/02/2026 08:56

Are your son’s friend’s parents aware of these issues?

Can either of his friend’s parents travel to London with them as you cannot go?. The main problem is that both your son and his friend are not old enough to make a hotel booking.

The Caledonian sleeper from Euston boards at 10:30pm.

Viviennemary · 24/02/2026 08:51

Susieblue18 · 23/02/2026 20:42

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

Your heading says 2 seventeen year olds. No. Two 16 year olds.

BringBackCatsEyes · 24/02/2026 08:47

CantBreathe90 · 24/02/2026 08:35

That's people UNDER the age of 16 though? Neither of which the teens are?

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I ticked guest under 18 and got that warning. How do you book for 16 year olds?

Holymolyrigmorole · 24/02/2026 08:41

My son had the same issue last year at 16 nearly 17; he went to a gig in Brixton and then caught the overnight coach home. He was with a friend who I knew to be sensible so I was fine with that

Original poster
Susieblue18 · 24/02/2026 08:37

Yeah I read that wrong initially as well. The st Christopher’s Inn and some other hostels are saying 18 but there seem to be a few allow 16 yr olds so will have e a look at them.

OP posts:
CantBreathe90 · 24/02/2026 08:35

BringBackCatsEyes · 24/02/2026 08:17

You'd think....

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That's people UNDER the age of 16 though? Neither of which the teens are?

BringBackCatsEyes · 24/02/2026 08:17

Lambington · 24/02/2026 06:53

This is what youth hostels are for!

You'd think....

To let two 17 year olds stay in a hotel in London on their own
Original poster
Susieblue18 · 24/02/2026 08:14

Thanks for all your comments, I would definitely have offered to go but am away abroad that weekend. First time we’ve gone away without the kids and happens to be the same weekend, all paid for so can’t change.

Ideally he would have got a hotel close to the venue and travelled home next morning. Had a look at National express and if he didn’t make the 23.35 from London Golders Green, it would be a 2am bus which has an almost 3hr wait in Birmingham so less ideal to be hanging about London and Birmingham.

OP posts:
Thechaseison71 · 24/02/2026 08:01

RogueFemale · 24/02/2026 00:36

I was born in London and lived there. I managed, if you count repeated sexual abuse as managing.

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That happens everywhere. Not exclusive to London so irrelevant

livingthenotebook · 24/02/2026 07:58

Could someone else go and have a night out and stay in same hotel and book 2 rooms. My son is same age and I would not be happy him staying in London

Sassylovesbooks · 24/02/2026 07:32

I suspect this is partly to do with insurance. If your son or his friend were injured or caused an injury/damage to the hotel, then the hotel wouldn't be insured. The hotel are responsible for checking ID, and if they allowed unaccompanied minors to stay, and something did happen, they'd get into trouble.

Your son will still only be 16 - the fact he's 'nearly 17' is irrelevant. He's still 2 years below the legal age to check into hotels. Yes, you could book a room, but what happens if check-in is denied??? Your son is then in London, with no where to stay. Could they travel home easily if that were to happen?? If my son did the same, the last train is around 11.30 pm, if that was missed, then he'd be screwed until around 6 am the following morning.

Either your son doesn't go to the concert or you go with them (not necessarily to the concert) to ensure they are least have a room for the night.

Readyforseptember · 24/02/2026 07:21

The o2 has a curfew of 10.30pm so the event won't go later than that.

Lambington · 24/02/2026 06:53

This is what youth hostels are for!

Miyagi99 · 24/02/2026 06:51

They could probably get the National Express home, there are night buses.