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

[Susieblue18]

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.

I’d probably risk a Premier Inn with a back up plan. Make sure you pay in advance and do the check in ahead of time so they only need to collect the key from one of the machines.

DH took DD and a mate to a gig last year and he had one room and they had another. Not technically allowed as they are under 16 but nobody even queried it.

It’s very likely they will ask for ID. My daughter studied in London from she was a 16 coming 17 and we had a lot of problems finding accomodation that would allow her to live there. Even now, at 20, she gets asked for ID when staying in a hotel even using self check in as there is nearly always staff hanging around

So 16 then. Your thread title says “two 17 year olds.”

They’re 16. They won’t get away with it.

Maybe ask an Airbnb locally and offer to leave a deposit

How about an Airbnb?

I would look at the Youth Hostel rules, hopefully they will be ok for 16 year olds, I certainly wouldn't risk them not getting into a hotel in London. Could they just get a train home instead if not.

They will be askednfor id and not allowed to stay. Either you book a room also sonthere's an adult in charge, or you go the yha route. Might be worth trying uni halls - some let in the holidays.

yha As others have said. That is what you need.

it was literally set up to be a safe place for young people to stay. Allowed alone from 16.

That’s government policy. Hotels are private businesses and don’t want to be responsible for under 18s. It just opens them up to dealing with underage drinking, or issues where no one is actually available who can give consent (medical help etc). And they aren’t considered adults so hotels don’t want to deal with them without an adult present.

It has nothing to do with voting age, marriage age, driving age.

You’d be an idiot to try it. An adult is going to have to go and stay in the hotel that night with them.

Yha is probably better for 16 year olds as they don't risk having their accommodation refused. It's daft it's over 18 but I wouldn't risk it

Definitely try AirBnB. I’ve done this for my DC at same age. Booked it then messaged to explain who it was for.

It isn’t daft from the perspective of a business which doesn’t want to be in the position of having to safeguard unaccompanied minors, particularly young and possibly naive teens in an unfamiliar city who can get themselves into all sorts of trouble, from underage drinking, to medical emergencies, to just being “befriended” by some older teens or adults at the concert who suggest going back to their hotel room to continue the “fun.”

Airbnb doesn’t allow under 18s to stay unaccompanied although some hosts might take them with a deposit. They are not supposed to this.

if the host retains the money claiming that damage has been done, you may find it very hard to get it back.

Most airb&b don’t allow under 18s either.. they too have insurance that prevents it.

Forgot to say that Airbnb don’t allow third party bookings although many hosts will accept them. Just be aware if there is a problem Airbnb won’t help.

Can’t you go with them to stay in the hotel? They can order a twin room while you (on your own or with your partner/a friend/your mum) book another and go see the sights or a show or something?

All budget accommodation in London asks for passport or driving license ID for check ins. They won’t be able to lie.

It’s to stop child trafficking and child exploitation among other things, it’s nothing to do with how sensible 16 year olds are or aren’t.

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!

Oh no, is a train home afterwards feasible

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!