Can an Under 21-Year-Old Check Into a Hotel Alone in New York?
Kevin Wang
The short answer is yes, you can check into a hotel alone in New York under 21. But most hotels require you to be 21, so you need to know which ones actually allow 18-year-olds.
Yes, you can check into a hotel alone in New York under 21. Most hotels in the city require you to be 21+, but there are solid options if you know where to look.
I've stayed at hotels in NYC by myself at 18, and it's been fine every time. You just need to target the right places.
Pod Hotels
My favorite option in New York is Pod Hotels (image above). I've stayed at Pod Times Square and Pod 51, and both times check-in was completely smooth. They're explicitly 18+, and the staff has never given me issues.
The rooms are tiny—like 100 square feet—but they're clean, modern, and in great locations. Pod Times Square is right in the heart of everything, and Pod 51 is near Grand Central. Prices are usually ~$100 per night, which is like NYC hostel prices except you have your own space.
You get a comfortable bed, decent wifi, and a private bathroom. That's about it. But when you're exploring the city all day, you just need a clean place to crash.
Sonder
Sonder is my runner-up. They have locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, all 18+. I've stayed at their properties in other cities and never had age-related problems.
Sonder feels more like an apartment than a hotel. Many units have kitchens, which is great if you want to save money on food. Everything is app-based—no front desk, just a code to unlock your door.
They're pricier than Pod, usually $150-$300+ per night, but you get more space and amenities.
Explore More Options
If you'd like to explore more hotel options in New York that allow 18-year-olds, use our search tool. You can filter by location, price, and other preferences without spending hours calling hotels or digging through outdated information.
Pod and Sonder are my go-to recommendations, but there are other options out there if you want to compare.
About Kevin Wang
Kevin is a college student who has experience booking hotels under the age of 21. He is also the founder of HotelsAllow.
