Bali is an amazing place to come on holiday for travellers of all ages and the island is very much a family-friendly destination. However, if you’re thinking of backpacking around the place as a younger traveller, you may be wondering what the minimum age requirement for a hotel room is?
Well, unfortunately, it’s not as straightforward as you might think, as there’s no legal mandate for renting a hotel room in Bali, the minimum age is often down to the place that you stay.
So, here’s what you need to know if you’re planning your first solo trip as a youngster, travelling with a group of younger friends or you’re a parent helping your teen plan their first beak in Bali.
We’ll break down all the age requirements and the vagaries of booking a hotel in Bali, to ensure that you have a worry-free and hassle-free holiday here.
The Basics: What Is The Minimum Age To Book A Bali Hotel Room?
If you want a rule of thumb, then the general rule here in Bali is that you should be, at least, 18-years-old to book your hotel room on the island. This is in keeping with the legal age of majority here in Indonesia. The age requirement isn’t hotels being picky, it’s down to contract law.
If you’re not of the age of majority, then technically, you can’t enter into a contract with anyone. And if that’s the case, the hotel can’t hold you accountable if you damage something, refuse to pay or cause any issues during your stay. Thus, hotels tend to ask for 18+ as a matter of course.
However, because Bali has a very diverse hospitality industry, which ranges from budget hostels and guesthouses to some of the most luxurious hotels and villas on the planet, some places will set an even higher minimum age of 21.
This is very common in high-end resorts such as those in Canggu, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Ubud, etc. and particularly those with bars, spas and other adult-oriented amenities. This is a conscious decision by the resort owners to manage their potential liabilities and to maintain an adult vibe.
For example, a resort might opt for a minimum age of 21, if they hold regular pool parties and want to avoid underage drinking or disruptions.
The good news is that Bali has a very laidback attitude to most things and hotels can be flexible with younger travellers. Particular for those either accompanied by adults or with clear parental consent to stay.
But you can’t assume that every hotel will bend the rules, you will need to check the hotel’s policies directly (before you book as many hotels don’t allow cancellations or amendments to a booking) to avoid any unpleasant surprises when you check-in.
Why Does Age Matter When Booking A Hotel In Bali?
If this all seems a little unfair there are two good reasons for hotels to enforce a minimum age policy in Bali:
- Financial and legal – if you can’t enter into a contract legally, you can legally be held responsible for breaking that contract. That means someone could damage the property or refuse to pay and leave the hotel with no means of recourse. We’re not suggesting that your teen will do that, but it happens, and hotels are a business, they can’t run without being paid or being compensated for damages.
- Safety and liability – hotels are in the business of providing hospitality, they want every guest to leave with amazing memories of a good time. Some younger guests are likely to need additional supervision (such as keeping them out of the minibar or preventing them from bringing all their new friends from the club back to their room). It’s an expense that isn’t built into the operating budget and not sustainable for hotels.
But hotels can be flexible and a recent post on /r/Bali (a sub-Reddit for the island) shows that a user wanted to book a room here at the age of 17, using an 18-year old to act as guardian during their trip. Everyone agreed that this was unlikely to be a major issue, as long as the guardian is present at check-in but that it was best to check with the hotel.
Likely Minimum Age Limits By Hotel Type And Location
Bali’s accommodation options are very varied and age limits are likely to be enforced differently depending on the property type and location. Here is a quick summary of this:
- Budget hotels, hostels and guesthouses – places in backpacker zones for budget conscious travellers are most likely to offer some wiggle room on the minimum age. 17-year-olds and 16-year-olds may be allowed to check in as long as they’re accompanied by an adult or if they have clear proof of parental consent. That’s because they have more experience handling younger guests such as backpackers and students.
- Mid-Range Hotels – these are often chains but may also be locally owned properties. They typically have a minimum age requirement of 18 but some may raise the bar to 21 if they have specific adult amenities. It’s worth noting that these properties are much less likely to accept a guardian or a note from the parents to lower the minimum age.
- Luxury Resorts – these are the most likely to have a minimum age requirement of 21. Canggu, Seminyak, Nusa Dua and Ubud are home to some of the really high-end resorts here on the island. They will almost certainly require anyone under this age to be accompanied by an adult throughout their stay in the property.
- Villas – private villas are super popular in Canggu, Uluwatu, etc. and they are often a bit more flexible in their terms. They will normally demand that only one guest is over 18. However, watch out for some Airbnb properties which may set a much higher minimum age requirement of 25, to help prevent parties in their luxury villas.
Tips For Young Travellers (Under 18s) When Booking A Hotel In Bali
OK, if you’re under 18 and planning to come to Bali, don’t worry too much, there are options. Here are our tips to help navigate the age restrictions:
- Get An Adult To Book Your Room – most hotels won’t mind if someone 18 years or older (like your parent, elder sibling, or guardian) books and checks-in on your behalf. So, for example, if you’re travelling with a friend who is 18, they can handle booking and the check-in for you as long as they provide valid ID when required to. Some hotels may require you to bring a parent consent letter, so call ahead and find out what you will need.
- Look For Family-Friendly Hotels – some hotels in Bali are much happier to have younger guests and may have no strict age limits at all. You just need an adult to book the room for you.
- Check For Exceptions – some hotels will make an exception for an emancipated minor (that is you’ve been legally recognized as an adult) or for those serving in the military. You will need to bring documentary evidence to support the exception when you check-in.
- Check Hostels And Guesthouses – budget places are often much more flexible than other properties and many hostels don’t do an age check or enforce it, particularly if you’re going to be in a dorm or have an adult with you when you check-in.
- Contact the Hotel Directly – hotel policies vary a lot, and the best way to see if things will work out is to talk to the hotel. You may also want to see if there’s a surcharge for younger guests (this is often due to the increased security checks that a hotel has to run for a younger guest).
What Will Happen At Check-In In A Bali Hotel?
Anyone can book a hotel room online, most of the booking sites and hotel sites simply have no means of checking your ID and seeing if you’re old enough to book a room.
That means that check-in is where it will matter. Almost every hotel is going to want to see your passport (or other government issued photo ID) before they let you check-in. Yes, even if you’ve paid for the room in advance.
If you don’t meet their minimum requirements for age, you could be refused the right to check-in and stay at the hotel. We should also note that the hotel is usually not obligated to give a refund if they refuse you, either.
So, to avoid issues:
- Double check with the hotel before you book – read their website AND contact their front desk or send an email. As long as you’re over 18 on the day you arrive, it doesn’t matter how old you are when you book. But if you’re not 18, make sure the hotel is OK with that and you have all the necessary documents to support that decision.
- Make sure the primary guest meets all the requirements – if you’re travelling with someone who is over 18, make sure they have their passport, docs, etc. in order too. You still need to bring your own passport, mind you, most hotels will require your ID whether or not you are the primary guest.
Special Considerations For Bali Travel
Other things that it can be handy to know before you travel to Bali as a youngster include:
- The Drinking Age – the legal drinking age in all of Indonesia is 21. However, it’s rarely enforced and bars, pubs and nightclubs generally won’t check IDs. Hotels may refuse minibar access to under 21s though because they can’t claim they didn’t know how old their guests were after taking their IDs.
- Cultural Sensitivity – Bali may have a reputation for being super relaxed and laidback but this is a very religious island and some hotels will enforce local customs. In particular, some may require proof of marriage if you want to share a room with someone of the opposite sex. It’s much rarer for this to happen in Bali than in the rest of the archipelago but you should check with a hotel in advance if this is likely to pose a problem.
- Tourist taxes – since 2024, every traveller to Bali is expected to pay (in addition to the visa fee) a tourism tax of 150,000 IDR this can be paid online or at the airport when you land on the island. So far, enforcement of this tax has been spotty at best, but you may be required to prove you’ve paid it when entering tourist attractions in Bali.
- Scooters are dangerous – yes, we know how awesome motoring around Bali on a scooter looks but the reality is, unless you have a current license with a motorbike endorsement and a current International Driver’s Permit, you’re not legally allowed to drive in Bali. Which means if you have an accident, your insurer won’t pay out. And accidents are incredibly common due to terrible road surfaces and driving standards. We never recommend riding a scooter here and Grab and Gojek services are super cheap.
Planning Tips For A Smooth Stay
To make your stay here in Bali as easy as possible, we’d recommend:
- Booking directly – it’s best to book directly with a hotel (or use a platform like Booking.com or Expedia) but only after you’ve verified the age policy. We prefer to book with the hotel because it gets you the best deal.
- Look for hotels used to dealing with big groups – hostels in Canggu or Kuta are more likely to welcome younger guests in groups, than luxury resorts in Nusa Dua.
- Have a backup plan – if your first choice won’t let you stay there, try Airbnb or a local guesthouse with looser rules.
- Stay safe – have a great time, but share your plans with your family and friends, and check-in occasionally to let them know you’re OK.
What Is Little Bingin’s Minimum Age Policy?
As with most hotels on the island, Little Bingin has a minimum age requirement of 18 years old. However, we might be prepared to flex a little on that in specific circumstances.
Please contact our front desk to discuss your needs and we’ll see if we can help you out.
FAQs
Can I Stay At A Hotel In Bali If I’m Only 18?
Yes, you can stay at most hotels in Bali if you’re 18 years or older. However, some of the high-end and adults-only resorts here on the island enforce a 21 or older policy.
Some private lettings on Airbnb can enforce a limit of 25 or older for villa properties where they are trying to discourage parties.
So, it’s always important to check with a hotel before you book as to what their age policy is. It’s perfectly legal for a hotel to set a higher minimum age limit than required.
If you turn up on the day and don’t meet their requirements, the hotel can not only turn you away, but they are often legally entitled to keep any deposit that you may have paid. So, it can be very expensive to get this wrong.
Can Foreigners Own Hotels In Bali?
Yes, foreigners can own hotels in Bali but it’s a complicated (and expensive) business owning any kind of property in Bali and it’s not something that we’re qualified to give advice on.
However, we should note that in the case of Airbnb properties, if you rent from a foreign owner who has not been licensed correctly by the Balinese government, you are potentially going to be evicted without compensation.
We’d always recommend checking that any accommodation provider is fully licensed or staying in a hotel or resort property, where you can be 100% confident that you will be fine.
Can I Stay In Bali With My Girlfriend? Can I Stay In Bali With My Boyfriend?
In general, if you are staying in a resort or hotel that deals with foreigners in Bali, you will have no problem staying with a partner of either sex.
While there is a law regarding unmarried partners staying together, this only applies to Indonesian nationals and the law can only be invoked by a direct relative making a complaint.
However, some hotels and guest houses that mainly cater to local tourists may have specific requirements for proof of marriage prior to allowing opposite sex couples to share a room. This is much more common elsewhere in Indonesia than in Bali.
And some hotels, may prohibit same sex couples on any basis, but again, this is very rare in Bali but may be much more common in other parts of Indonesia.
As with all things, it’s worth checking in advance before you book to avoid any problems. But in 99.9% of cases staying with an unmarried partner in Bali is not going to be an issue.
Final Thoughts On The Minimum Age For Hotels In Bali
The minimum age in hotels in Bali is not some arbitrary number plucked out of the ether, it’s there to ensure the safety of both guests and the hotel itself.
As you can see there is often some room for negotiation in this respect and it’s always best to talk to a hotel before you book rather than assume that it can be sorted out when you arrive.