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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Premier Inn etc are unfair- 16 is adult Under 18 is child

46 replies

HaroldsSausageInCider · 09/01/2023 17:41

My two play sport and travel a lot for competitions, my youngest was 16 in December, my oldest 17.

We stay in Premier Inn, it is just where we sleep, the rules are 2 adults, 2 under 16 allowed per room. Now youngest is 16 they have to have their own room BUT can not stay without me also booking a room.

So now every stay is going to cost double and I can't let them stay alone. This seems unfair and will result in no rooms being booked at all.

I understand they don't want four adults staying in a room, but there should be flexibility for dependants AIBU to think that?

OP posts:
SomethingOriginal2 · 09/01/2023 17:44

Do they check passports? Just say they're 15.

RedToothBrush · 09/01/2023 17:44

How do premium inn age verify a 16 or 17 year old when they don't yet have formal ID?

lanthanum · 09/01/2023 17:45

I hadn't noticed that - that's going to make it a less attractive option for us too.

bloodyeverlastinghell · 09/01/2023 17:45

I’d just say they were 15 too tbh.

Frankensteinisamonster · 09/01/2023 17:46

Just book a family room for three. No one checks ages

Cassimin · 09/01/2023 17:46

Do you need to tell them.
Its not like they are miles away from 16.
it might be because of the free breakfast for children with paying adult.
if you just go in and out I doubt anyone would pay any attention.

toomuchlaundry · 09/01/2023 17:47

Aren’t most hotels like that?

Original poster
HaroldsSausageInCider · 09/01/2023 17:47

I appreciate I could lie, but if we travel half way across the country I would worry about being turned away. Both my daughters already look over 18.

OP posts:
whataboutsecondbreakfast · 09/01/2023 17:47

Just say the 16yo is 15. Nobody is going to check.

Runtotheshop · 09/01/2023 17:47

They never check. If they do just say they don't have ID as they are under 16😌

Frankensteinisamonster · 09/01/2023 17:48

HaroldsSausageInCider · 09/01/2023 17:47

I appreciate I could lie, but if we travel half way across the country I would worry about being turned away. Both my daughters already look over 18.

They don’t even need to be with you at check in. I am not sure what you’re on about.

Original poster
HaroldsSausageInCider · 09/01/2023 17:48

Frankensteinisamonster · 09/01/2023 17:46

Just book a family room for three. No one checks ages

I've been asked several times how old they are when checking in, I've carried a copy of their passport for the last year

OP posts:
PugInTheHouse · 09/01/2023 17:49

We've done it before where just one person checks in. We never all went into the hotel together or just used the side entrance away from reception.

Itloggedmeoutagain · 09/01/2023 17:51

HaroldsSausageInCider · 09/01/2023 17:48

I've been asked several times how old they are when checking in, I've carried a copy of their passport for the last year

Show quote history

And what if they didn't have a passport?
Just say they're 15 but I do understand your point

Original poster
HaroldsSausageInCider · 09/01/2023 17:51

Frankensteinisamonster · 09/01/2023 17:48

They don’t even need to be with you at check in. I am not sure what you’re on about.

Show quote history

Well yes I guess they can hide by the car (but I'm not a big fan of lying) and then come in later, maybe it is because we check in late but normally we are the only ones in the lobby and most city centre ones are tiny.

OP posts:
Rocketpants50 · 09/01/2023 17:52

I had similar with premier inn they would not let me book a room 1 adult and 3 children. They said it was a safety risk, I questioned this they said if there was a fire how could I get them all out. They were between ages of 7 and 14! I gad to lie and say we were 2 adults and 2 children but then couldn't book breakfast as wanted 1 adult, the 2 free breakfast and then pay for an additional child.

They have weird rules.

Original poster
HaroldsSausageInCider · 09/01/2023 17:54

toomuchlaundry · 09/01/2023 17:47

Aren’t most hotels like that?

Yes, it seems so, first time it has applied to me.
If they could stay alone I'd think fair enough, but being both and adult and a child seem unfair.

OP posts:
BooksAndHooks · 09/01/2023 17:54

Is this a new thing? It wasn’t an issue when we stayed at several premier Inns since eldest turned 16 last year. We had me, DH, DS 16 and DS13 in a room.

MrsMoastyToasty · 09/01/2023 17:54

DS shares with us (DH and I) at Premier Inn. He's 16 , complete with a full beard. He's also got additional needs so I wouldn't want him in a separate room., unless they can guarantee that they are interconnected rooms (which they can't as they are allocated on arrival, subject to availability). Nobody has ever checked.

RedToothBrush · 09/01/2023 17:56

HaroldsSausageInCider · 09/01/2023 17:48

I've been asked several times how old they are when checking in, I've carried a copy of their passport for the last year

Show quote history

Just say they don't have ID because they are under 18!

What are they going to do? Force you to do book another room which you'd have to do anyway.

They are old enough to keep their gobs shut unlike a 5 year old!

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 09/01/2023 17:58

HaroldsSausageInCider · 09/01/2023 17:48

I've been asked several times how old they are when checking in, I've carried a copy of their passport for the last year

Show quote history

So just don't carry a passport and lie.

They won't kick you out.

Lurleene · 09/01/2023 17:59

This does pee me off too. I must have spent thousands in Premier Inns over the years, but now DS is 17 I am spending my money at other hotels instead. It usually costs more but not as much as booking 2 rooms. Travelodge allows 3 'adults' in a room but a Premier Inn is usually nicer.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 09/01/2023 18:01

Put them in shorts and a school cap and you'll be fine.
It works for the Krankies.😂

Original poster
HaroldsSausageInCider · 09/01/2023 18:01

Thanks all, I am a 'do by the rules' sort of person and I hate the thought of getting there and being thrown out, I shall have to do as you suggest.

OP posts:
Iamthewombat · 09/01/2023 18:13

Premier Inn have done this for many years. A receptionist told me that it was to stop gangs of stags and/or hens piling into rooms: maximum of 2 adults per room.