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.

You'd think....

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

This.

It leaves at 23.45 for Edinburgh and Glasgow.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Too young. Too many risks.

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

Will there be less risks in a years time?

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.