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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:
LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 23/02/2026 22:16

I find it crazy that hotels won’t allow this, surely this is putting 16 year olds in the vulnerable position of sleeping in train stations etc.

I wouldn’t let him stay of the hotel is likely to turn them away but wouldn’t have a problem otherwise.

Thechaseison71 · 23/02/2026 22:12

TeenageRooster · 23/02/2026 20:53

I would personally go with them, book a different room and let them go to the gig but that way you're on site for check in and also in the same city if needed. I've done this when my DS has gone to gigs at that age.

That's a hell of a lot of extra expense

Original poster
Susieblue18 · 23/02/2026 22:10

Tigerbalmshark · 23/02/2026 22:07

If this is the UFC match, they will easily be able to get over to Victoria to get on the 23:00 coach up to Glasgow. Sleep on the coach, get in at 7:30am, get an onwards train to wherever they need to get back to. Likely cheaper too.

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

OP posts:
Tigerbalmshark · 23/02/2026 22:07

If this is the UFC match, they will easily be able to get over to Victoria to get on the 23:00 coach up to Glasgow. Sleep on the coach, get in at 7:30am, get an onwards train to wherever they need to get back to. Likely cheaper too.

CantBreathe90 · 23/02/2026 22:05

Borrow a cousin / older siblings ID would solve the issue, if feasible? Wild that they aren't allowed to stay! Me and two friends backpacked in England for a few weeks at 17 (in the school holidays). Such a great experience! Never occurred to us that we wouldn't be allowed to stay in a bnb?! And I'm 34 so not ancient.

SteveTheHair · 23/02/2026 22:03

caringcarer · 23/02/2026 22:01

I thought you had to show ID to prove you are over 18.

They will rarely ask for it

caringcarer · 23/02/2026 22:01

I thought you had to show ID to prove you are over 18.

SteveTheHair · 23/02/2026 22:00

If they look 17/18 it should be fine. Ds has done it loads of times as have his friends

GreenEyesIsBack · 23/02/2026 21:59

SteelMumma · 23/02/2026 21:53

Mega bus used to have an overnight bus to Scotland (can’t remember where exactly as I only used it to Sheffield). It would leave Victoria at 1am

They still do but the one direct to Glasgow is 11.45ish, I use it often.
Their may be a later one though.

reluctantlogin · 23/02/2026 21:59

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.

With the greatest of respect and as a mum of four now adults : no

BeMintBiscuit · 23/02/2026 21:59

Susieblue18 · 23/02/2026 20:48

I hadn’t actually considered this would be an issue. It seems bizarre that you can get married in Scotland at 16 but can’t stay in a hotel!

I had this when my DS was 17 and I think he was only 6/7 weeks away from 18 at the time. Wanted to go to a concert and so tried finding a hotel to now avail! Even all travelloges, premier inn, air bnbs etc all were over 18! I'm with you, it does seem crazy there are no real options.

Tigerbalmshark · 23/02/2026 21:57

Susieblue18 · 23/02/2026 21:46

Too late for a train back to Scotland. I think the booking systems aren’t clear. The premier Inn, for example, asks how many adults and children. Children are up to age 15 and it doesn’t state an age for adults so it would be reasonable to assume 16. I wouldn’t imagine many people read the terms and conditions for a one night stay.

There are coaches back up to either Edinburgh or Glasgow at 2am, getting in early morning. They can sleep on the coach then get a train back to your town in the morning. Yes it’s a pain, but not as much of a pain as sleeping in the station overnight because the Premier Inn won’t let them in.

Brewtiful · 23/02/2026 21:53

I think it's quite telling even if unintentional that you said they were 17 in your title, as you knew it would be unlikely for anywhere to take 2 16 year olds

Even if they are days away from 17 they will still both be 16 at the time of the stay. It makes no difference to the accommodation if they are 16 and 1 day or 16 and 364 days.

I think your best bet is to book travel home in the evening, a coach company rather than try and find somewhere for them to stay.

gototogo · 23/02/2026 21:53

Private rooms can be booked for 16 plus, just checked

SteelMumma · 23/02/2026 21:53

Mega bus used to have an overnight bus to Scotland (can’t remember where exactly as I only used it to Sheffield). It would leave Victoria at 1am

FlowerFairyDaisy · 23/02/2026 21:52

My son and a group of friends did this at age 17. Brighton not London. The hotel asked to speak to me on the phone when they checked in and took my contact details. I had to agree to cover any damages to the room (there were none and I trusted them).

abracadabra1980 · 23/02/2026 21:51

TeenageRooster · 23/02/2026 20:53

I would personally go with them, book a different room and let them go to the gig but that way you're on site for check in and also in the same city if needed. I've done this when my DS has gone to gigs at that age.

Agree with this and personally it's what I would do.

MCF86 · 23/02/2026 21:48

I would let them if it were allowed, but I wouldn't risk my teen being turned away late at night, I'd much prefer him head back towards the train/coach station while it's all busy with everyone else that's leaving.

crossposted, now see theres not much use in him heading to the station!
It does take the piss that they'll charge them as adults but not treat them that way!

RampantIvy · 23/02/2026 21:47

I'd go with the premier inn and chance it. Have a back up plan for them if it goes tits up.

@TartanMammy and @SellFridges this is a really bad idea.
Hotels have really tightened up on ID checks. It doesn't matter what happened years ago. It simply isn't relevant now.

IMO the only option is for an adult to go down with the boys.

tothesea · 23/02/2026 21:47

Holiday Inn let my 17 year old stay. I emailed the hotel and basically vouched for him, gave my details etc. It wasn’t London though and he was already 17. Probably best to be upfront.

Original poster
Susieblue18 · 23/02/2026 21:46

Too late for a train back to Scotland. I think the booking systems aren’t clear. The premier Inn, for example, asks how many adults and children. Children are up to age 15 and it doesn’t state an age for adults so it would be reasonable to assume 16. I wouldn’t imagine many people read the terms and conditions for a one night stay.

OP posts:
Tigerbalmshark · 23/02/2026 21:42

Can they get a train or coach back after the gig? I did this many times as a teen, the coaches run all night from Victoria.

RedRiverShore6 · 23/02/2026 21:40

Oh no, is a train home afterwards feasible

Original poster
Susieblue18 · 23/02/2026 21:38

Just looked up YHA Thameside and even though it says from 16, if you put in 2 under 18’s it says there has to be an over 18 😩 I would have gone with them but already have a weekend away booked that can’t be changed and his friends parents don’t seem concerned. I think he may just have to miss it this time, won’t be happy!

OP posts: