Florida: Hotels You Can Book at 18

Updated July 23, 2023
About the Author: Denise Cruz has lived in 4 countries and visited 35+ others. After her second sabbatical, she began sharing travel advice at Wander Her Way.

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Florida is a top destination for young travelers across the country—and from around the world.

Every year college students from all over the US flock to the beaches of Florida for spring break. Disney and Universal also attract 18 to twenty-something year olds from all over the world to their parks.

But when it comes to booking a hotel that allows guests under 21 to check-in, your options are about as limited as your budget! (I remember those days…)

In this guide, I will give you my best tips on how to find Florida hotels you can book at 18. And if you’re between the ages of 18 and 21, I’ll also cover some alternatives to traditional hotels.

Florida Hotels Guide for 18-Year Olds

Before we get into Florida hotels that allow guests 18+ to check-in, here a few things you need to know about traveling at that age.

Hotel check-in age restrictions in Florida

I bet the question on your mind is how old do you have to be to get a hotel room in Florida, right? Well, it depends.

At 18, you can legally do a lot a of stuff. You can vote, buy property, get married without mom and dad’s permission, and even be sued.

But… you can’t consume alcohol. And for hotels, that’s a big problem.

For that reason, most hotels in Florida set the minimum age a guest must be to check-in at 21, which is the legal drinking age in the United States.

🪖 Members of US military can check into any hotel in Florida at 18. Florida law requires hotels to waive any age restriction for military on active duty with a valid military ID.

Who determines the minimum check-in age?

It’s up to the hotel to decide. And there’s no one-size fits all when it comes to their policies—even hotels from the same chain may have different requirements.

Hotel check-in age restrictions in Florida can vary from 18 to 25 in some cases. So the only way of knowing, is by checking the policy of each individual hotel.

Reasons hotels in Florida have age restrictions

I had to do quite a bit of digging to find out why some hotels impose age restrictions and others don’t.

While I did’t find anything conclusive, here are few reasons that may explain why some hotels don’t allow guests under 21, or 25 in some cases, to check-in:

  • Marketing: Some hotels cater to adults only. In that case, it’s only natural that they’d require all guests to be at least 21.
  • Liability: When you check-in, the hotel becomes somewhat responsible for your safety. And although I hate to say it, 18-twenty something year olds do some really dumb shit! But the biggest issue is the consumption of alcohol on hotel premises, even if it was bought elsewhere. Which brings me to my next point…
  • The mini-bar: Since the legal drinking age in the United States is 21 it’s a lot easier to restrict the age of the guests than it would be to clear our dozens of tiny liquor bottles from each room.
  • Party destinations: Hotels in places like Miami Beach, Daytona, and Key West may be more strict about the minimum check-in age. This is to ensure guests are legally allowed to drink alcohol and to try and keep the rowdier crowds away.
  • Guest experience: Some hotels don’t want to get a the reputation of being a party hotel and may up the minimum age to maintain a more peaceful atmosphere for all guest.

Hotels in Florida with 18+ Check-In

Below you can find a list of hotels with 18+ check-in for the different cities within Florida.

⚠️ Attention: While I do my best to keep this list updated, hotel policies may change. Some hotels may also have special rules for guest in the ages of 18 to 25. So double-check with the property before you book!

Miami

Here are some hotels in Miami, Florida with 18+ check-in:

Miami Beach

Here are some hotels in Miami Beach, Florida with 18+ check-in:

🛎 See more hotels in Miami that allow 18+ check-in.

Key West

Here are some hotels in Key West, Florida with 18+ check-in:

Orlando

Here are some hotels in Orlando, Florida with 18+ check-in that are great if you’re planning to visit Disney World and Universal:

Disney World Hotels and Resorts

All Disney World hotels welcome 18+ check-ins:

Tampa

Daytona Beach

Jacksonville

Alternatives to Hotels for 18-Year Olds

As a young traveler, it’s always good to have a backup plan. So in case you can’t find a hotel you like or they changed their minimum check-in age before you had a chance to book, here are some other places you can stay as an 18-year old traveling in Florida.

Hostels

Youth hostels cater to young travelers so they’re the most obvious alternative to staying in a hotel as an 18-year old. As an added benefit, hostels are also cheaper, specially if you’re traveling solo.

If you’re worried about sacrificing your privacy and comfort by staying at a hostel, don’t. While hostels are known for having dorm-style rooms, modern hostels can be quite hip and modern.

For example, check out Generator Miami. The hostel looks like a luxury boutique hotel and is located in a prime spot on Collins Avenue at the heart of Miami Beach.

Short-Term Vacation Rentals

Websites like Airbnb, VRBO, and Plum Guide have a ton of homes and apartments that you can rent for your Florida trip. The minimum age required to book on those platforms is 18. However, double check the listing before you book to be sure since owners can set a different minimum age for their property.

Group Travel

Companies like G Adventures and Contiki are great options for young travelers to explore the world with a group. They have tours specifically designed for 18 to thirty-something-year-olds with activities and accommodations to match.

I traveled across Europe with Contiki after my college graduation and highly recommend it if you’re 18 to early 20s. While they’re strictly for 18-35, G Adventures offers some tours for 18-39 years and some without age restrictions. You can read about my experience with G Adventures here.

Check-Out: Conclusion

While hotel check-in age restrictions can make things a bit trickier for young travelers, it’s not impossible to find accommodations in Florida that fit your needs and budget.

I’ve given you a list of several Florida hotels you can book at 18. Just remember to double check their policies, and consider hostels, short-term rentals, and group travel as options.

Whether you’re headed to beach for spring break or taking on the Orlando theme parks, there are plenty of hotels you can book at 18.

So pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and get ready for an epic adventure in the Sunshine State!

FAQs: 18+ Hotel Check-Ins

Because it can be a big liability to host guests under the legal drinking age and who may not be mature enough to be on their own. Assuming that risk, may also mean higher insurance rates for the hotel.

Yes, it is legal. However, hotels can set their own minimum age requirement and they may refuse to let an 18-year old check-in if their policy does not allow it.

Hotels require a credit card for incidentals. That’s in case there’s damage in the room or you consume something from the minibar, you give them permission to charge that credit card when you check-in.

For reasons of safety and security, most hotels do require all guests, regardless of age, to present a valid photo ID at check-in.

While some hotels may accept a student ID as form of identification, you should not take any chances. But don’t take any chances. Bring a government-issued ID like a driver’s license or passport to check-in.

Denise, travel blogger at Wander Her Way

About Denise Cruz

Denise is a marketing executive who escaped corporate to travel the world… twice. A Brazilian native living in the U.S., she’s lived in 4 countries and visited 35+ others. After side-hustling her way to financial independence, she curates solo destination guides, slow travel tips, and travel blogging advice on Wander Her Way. When she’s not on the road, you can find her in Miami with her dog Finnegan.