How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Hotel Room in Missouri? (2026)

Missouri Does Have a Real Statute Touching This — Here's What It Actually Says

If you're 18, 19, or 20 and trying to book a hotel room in Missouri, here's the short answer: Missouri law does address this, but not with a simple "you must be 21" rule. Unlike most states, Missouri has a specific statute worth understanding before you assume it's pure brand policy.

Missouri's Statute: RSMo § 315.067

Missouri's hotel/motel regulations (RSMo Chapter 315) include § 315.067, which lets a hotel operator refuse accommodations under specific conditions, and separately address guests under 18: a property can require the parent or guardian of a person under 18 to authorize charges to a credit card, or require advance cash payment plus a reasonable damage deposit, as a condition of accepting that guest.

So Missouri law doesn't set a blanket "you must be 21" rule — it gives hotels a framework for accepting under-18 guests with financial safeguards, rather than an automatic right to refuse them outright. Whether a specific Missouri property requires 18, 21, or something else for check-in is still a brand/franchisee decision layered on top of this statute, not something RSMo 315 itself dictates.

So Why Do Some Missouri Hotels Say 21?

Because that's a business decision, not (in most cases) a legal requirement. Hotels set their own check-in age minimums to limit liability around property damage, parties, and noise complaints. The age threshold itself (18 vs. 21 vs. 25) is set by the brand or the individual franchise owner, and it varies a lot even within the same chain. For a full breakdown of how this plays out across the rest of the country, see this state-by-state hotel check-in age rules guide.

What This Looks Like in Practice Across Chains

Since Missouri law doesn't set a single blanket number, the age you'll actually encounter depends largely on which chain — and sometimes which specific property — you book. General patterns:

The general pattern in Missouri, as elsewhere: economy and limited-service properties are more likely to accept 18-year-olds, while full-service and upscale/resort-style properties are more likely to require 21 (or occasionally 25).

How to Actually Book a Room in Missouri at 18-20

Since there's no single rule protecting you at every property, the only reliable approach is to check before you book:

• Call the specific property, not just the brand's national line — franchise-level policy can differ from the corporate default.
• Check the fine print on the booking page — many chains disclose a minimum check-in age in the property policy section.
• Lean toward economy/limited-service brands (Choice, Wyndham, many IHG locations), which tend to allow 18+ more consistently.
• Bring a valid, non-expired photo ID that matches the name on the reservation.
• Expect to be asked about a card for incidentals — this applies regardless of age.

If you want a shortlist of chains that are more consistently 18-friendly nationwide, this rundown of hotel chains that let 18-year-olds check in is worth checking before you book.

Bottom Line

Missouri law does touch on this topic through RSMo § 315.067, but it does not force every property to use the same check-in age — whatever age a specific Missouri hotel asks for is largely that property's own policy, so always confirm directly with the hotel before you book if you're under 21.

Related Reads

• State-by-state hotel check-in age rules
• Hotel chains that let 18-year-olds check in
• Does Marriott allow 18-year-olds to check in?