The Minimum Age To Book A Hotel In Bali: Your Questions Answered

The island of Bali brings millions of visitors to its shores every year. Travellers of all ages are welcome on the Island of the Gods, from large family gatherings and groups of mates, to solo travellers setting out to see some of the world for the very first time. 

However, we’ve found that young visitors to the island often don’t know the answer to this question: “How old do I have to be before I can book a hotel in Bali?” 

And we think one of the reasons for their confusion is that there’s no simple answer. Indonesian and Balian law have not laid down a specific legal obligation on hotels regarding the minimum age of occupancy. And that means there’s a mix of hotel management decisions, custom, tradition, and a bit of contract law guiding things. 

Which, in turn, means that there’s more than one answer to the minimum age needed to book a hotel room in Bali. So, we’ve put together this helpful guide – it will tell you everything you need to know on this topic, and whether you’re a young teen on your first trip abroad or parents or guardians of such a traveller, it should ensure you have peace of mind before you leave home.

We’ll cover age rules, hotel processes and policies and offer some of our best advice regarding a smooth and hassle-free visit to Bali. 

So, What’s The Minimum Age To Book A Hotel Room In Bali?

If you’ve been to Bali before, you probably know that most businesses aren’t sticklers for rules. It’s easiest to see this when you see a small local child buying beer and cigarettes in the mini-mart for their absent parents.

However, hotels in Bali are a business, and that means their first obligation is to their investors and to ensure that they make money rather than lose it.

And this means that most hotels require guests to be 18 years or older when they check in. And that’s not because they’ve got something against taking money from younger people, it’s because of Indonesian law.

Yes, we said (correctly) at the start that Indonesia doesn’t mandate how old you should be to rent a hotel room. But Indonesian law does state how old you must be before you can legally enter into a contract, and that age is 18. 

From the hotel’s perspective, that means if they rent a room to someone under this age, they cannot enforce the contract they have with them legally. If the tenant refuses to pay, trashes their room, etc., the hotel can’t do anything about it, because the tenant couldn’t have legally entered into an agreement to compensate the hotel.

That means most hotels will require you to be 18 years or older, and that’s to protect themselves in all eventualities. 

But this is Bali, and it’s rare to find anything so completely cut and dried as this, and of course, that means there are exceptions to this rule. 

There are a lot of different hotel choices in Bali. From ultra-luxury villas to spit and sawdust dorm rooms in homestays and hostels, and everything in between. 

And the basic rule of thumb is this – the more luxurious a place is, the older it likes its guests, so if you want a swanky 10-bedroom villa with private pools and butler service? They may even require you to be over 21 when you check in. This is a reflection of the increased risks of non-payment and damage in very high-end places. 

In contrast, if you’re backpacking and staying in a dorm with 10 other people? They may allow check-in at 15, 16 or 17. That’s because there’s much less risk to the business when someone absconds owing $10 for a night or damages a cheap pillow on the way out the door.

On top of this, many hotels and resorts in Bali can offer additional flexibility as long as a young person is accompanied by their parent or guardian during the check-in process. In this instance, they’re making the contract with the parent rather than the child. 

So, there’s a lot of flexibility in what seems like a hard and fast rule at first glance. The important thing to remember is that we offer no guarantees that any given hotel is going to bend its rules for you.

That means that before you book a room for someone under 18, you must check with the establishment to see if they will accommodate your needs. We must stress that if you fail to do this and you try to check in when the hotel does not allow guests of your age, they will probably refuse you entry AND confiscate your deposit. That can be pretty expensive, so we strongly recommend you check first.

Why Should A Resort Care About The Guest’s Age?

Accommodation providers aren’t fussed about your age because they are on some great moral crusade; they’re bothered for two main reasons:

• The law and finances – if you’re not 18, you haven’t reached what they call the “age of majority” in Indonesia. That means you can’t enter a contract or be held responsible for breaking one. If you run off without paying or after damaging the hotel, they have to pay for the loss. Of course, the hotelier knows that not all under-18s are likely to do this, but they can’t afford to take the risk, either. The hotel trade runs on very tight margins. 
• Safety and liability – hotel owners want to make their guests feel so welcome that they want to return. Younger guests often have additional needs and may need further supervision. Minibars might need to be de-stocked, and sudden parties need breaking up. This means providing additional staff, and that costs money. Money that most hotels don’t have a budget for. 

We have also spoken to hotel owners who say that they are happy for younger people to stay in their hotels as long as, at least, one member of the party is over 18, and they check in on behalf of the rest of the party and take the legal responsibility for all members of their party. 

Again, we can’t guarantee that any given resort will feel like this, and we urge you to check in advance before you book and that you get any assurances in writing. (One thing we don’t want anyone to learn the hard way is that a promise over the phone is not something you can rely on – get it in writing, or treat it like it doesn’t exist.) 

A Guide To Age Rules Around Accommodation Types

There are so many choices of accommodation in Bali that you can enjoy that it’s easy to get confused about the way age rules are likely to work. So, here’s a breakdown of general rules of thumb (again, we have to stress always check with the property before you book for their exact terms and get them in writing) for each type of accommodation:

• Hostels, guesthouses, kosts, etc. – If you are a young traveller, these places are the ones most likely to allow you to check in by yourself. Some may still insist that you have an 18+ year old present during the check-in and your stay, and others may allow you to check in with just written consent from a parent or guardian. These places host a lot of young people, and they’re better set up to handle any special needs that you may have as you travel. But you cannot assume this is the case, as always, you need their terms on paper before you book your room. 
• Mid-range resorts and hotels – this includes chain hotels, boutique hotels, locally owned properties, etc. In most instances, these are likely to be very much sticklers for that “over 18” rule. They are much less likely to accept parental consent, particularly if it’s only in writing; however, you can still check, and we’d only book if you have the confirmation of this exception in writing. Staff turnover can lead to one manager saying “yes” and then the next manager refusing to honour things otherwise. 
• High-end and luxury resorts and hotels – many of these resorts demand an even stricter standard and will require a “21 or over” guest policy. The only time these places allow younger guests is if they are part of a larger group where at least one member of the party meets their age requirements. Again, you will want any exceptions in writing. 
• Luxury and private villa complexes – some villas will be very flexible in their age requirements, others may be absolutely hardline, and many require that you be over 25 to stay in their property! Yes, because of the value of these properties and the risks of younger guests holding parties, they won’t allow young people to check in at all. So, always check before you book or risk losing your reservation and your money when you arrive.

Note: We know, we sound like we’re nagging, but if you don’t get that agreement in writing, it’s not binding. No matter what your high school law professor told you. This is Indonesia, and if it’s not on paper, nobody will feel remotely obligated to honour any agreement you made with somebody. 

Tips For Booking A Hotel In Bali When You Are Under 18

OK, so you’ve made up your mind, you’re coming to Bali, and you’re under 18. That’s awesome. Here’s how to make sure that this is a stress-free experience for you, not just at booking, but also when you get here:

• Check to see if there are some exceptions that are in the hotel policy – some hotels offer waivers of the age requirements for serving members of the armed forces, or if you’re an “emancipated minor”. If you qualify, print out the exception and keep a hard copy with you. 
• Get the hotel’s exceptions in writing – If you don’t qualify for a policy exception, talk to the hotel and see if you can get them to make an exception anyway. And yes, we’re saying it again, any special arrangements need to be made in writing, and you should have a hard copy with you when you travel. 
• Get an adult to book your room and check in for you – the truth is, most hotels don’t care how old each guest is; they care that there’s an adult who takes responsibility for the contact and the room. Then, they can enforce the contract. A friend, parent or guardian may be able to book and then check in on your behalf. 
• Look at family-friendly, student or budget accommodations – these places are all more likely to be flexible for young travellers than high-end adults-only resorts or private villas. 

The Check-In Process At Most Bali Accommodations

The thing is… It’s really easy to book online; the major booking platforms (like the ones we link to) don’t ask for any proof of age, and they don’t check your ID. That’s great for booking, but it won’t help you when you go to check in. 

And you need to know that every hotel is legally required to ask for a passport or an equivalent form of government-approved photographic identification when you check in. That means, they’re going to know immediately if you don’t meet their age requirements. 

And if you don’t, they can refuse to let you in, and they can refuse to refund any payments you’ve already made or charge any card that you used to guarantee your reservation without giving you the room. 

That means you should do a few things for check-in:

• Have everything you need printed out – keep a copy of your booking, your passport, your visa page in your passport, any agreed exceptions, etc. and have them ready to present at check-in. Life is way easier when you have hard copies and, at a bare minimum, have scans/photos of them on your phone too. That way, if you lose the hard copies, you’re not completely stuffed. 
• If you don’t meet the requirements, make sure that the primary guest does – if someone else is checking for you, make sure they have their ID, documents, etc., and yes, you still need to show your ID even if someone else is taking on the responsibility for your stay. 

Things Every Young Traveller Should Know About Bali, In Addition To This

OK, that’s it! You’re checked in safe and sound, and you can get out and enjoy the island, but there are just a few things you should know about being a young traveller in Bali:

• The legal drinking age in Indonesia is 21; however, in most places, there is absolutely no enforcement of this age at all. So, if you want to go to pubs, bars, clubs, etc., you can. What you may find, though, is that your hotel enforces a drinking ban on under-21s; that’s because they have your ID on file and could, in theory, be held liable for you breaking the law. 
• Bali has some unusual cultural norms – there are a couple of things that could get you into serious trouble in Bali if you don’t take steps to avoid doing them. 1. Do not dress improperly in the island’s temples; you need a sarong and shawl, and they will supply these at the entrance gate (sometimes for a small fee); you must wear them inside. 2. If a hotel requires a marriage certificate (and most don’t), you can’t check in as a couple without one. 
• Bali has a tourist tax – this tax is 150,000 IDR and should be paid online before you arrive on the island. It’s mandatory, but in practice, it’s hard to enforce. However, you may be asked to prove you’ve paid (and if not, to make that payment) before you are allowed into some of the main tourist attractions here. 
• Scooters are not safe transportation – to be road legal in Bali, you need a driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement (a car license is not enough) and a current International Driver’s Permit. That means you can get insurance. However, insurance won’t stop you from getting into accidents, and they are all too common here. We’d strongly recommend that, unless you are a very experienced driver of scooters, you stick to Grab or Gojek (ride share apps); these are super cheap and much, much safer. Never get on a scooter without a helmet. 

What You Can Do To Ensure Your First Trip Under 18 To Bali Is Hassle-Free

We’ve got a small handful of final tips for your Bali trip, and they include:

• Book a group-friendly spot – hostels are going to be much easier for you than luxury resorts will be.
• Make sure that you have a plan B – if your first choice doesn’t turn out right, make sure that you have a backup plan. 
• Stay safe – just make sure you’ve shared your itinerary with your friends and family. Also, check in with them every now and then, it means they don’t panic about your safety and it means they don’t send the police out looking for you. 

FAQs

Can You Stay In Bali Hotels If You Are 18 Years Old?

Yes, you can stay in almost any Bali Hotel if you are 18 years old or older. The vast majority of hotels, resorts and villas will require you to be at least 18 before they allow you to check in (excluding the exceptions listed above). 

However, some properties require their guests to be over 21 or even over 25! That means you must pay attention to the fine print when you’re booking. This is a perfectly legal requirement, and an owner can refuse entry to people who don’t meet the criteria that were stated (however small the print) during the booking process. Worse, they can also refuse to give you your deposit back. 

Is It Possible To Own A Bali Hotel As A Foreigner?

Yes, the simple answer is that it’s perfectly legal for a foreigner to own a hotel in Bali. The longer answer is that while it’s legal, it’s really expensive, time-consuming, confusing and may not be the safest of investments. Casual investors definitely need not apply.

We must also stress that Airbnb ownership here is fraught with legal difficulties, and you can get into serious trouble buying properties and then letting them out online here. 

This isn’t just an issue for the landlord, though; in a rather bizarre enforcement of the law, the Balinese authorities can evict a tenant without compensation if they decide that an Airbnb (or similar) property doesn’t meet the legal requirements. 

This is why we always recommend that you stay in a hotel, resort, or legally managed villa in Bali if at all possible. Being thrown out of your apartment at 3 a.m. with no money to stay anywhere else and a week before your flight home will not be any fun. 

Can You Stay In A Bali Hotel With An Unmarried Partner?

Yes, while there is a law in Indonesia against staying with an unmarried partner, it is not enforced in Bali. This means whether you are an opposite sex couple or a same sex couple, you will not be impeded at check-in during your stay in most parts of Bali.

However, guesthouses aimed at the local tourism market and places in some of the most remote parts of the island may be stricter. They may ask for a proof of marriage certificate for opposite sex couples to share a room; ironically, they are very unlikely to ask for something similar if you are a same sex couple. 

It’s also important to note that this law is very much enforced in some other parts of Indonesia, particularly in cheaper hotels (international chains, not so much). It’s important to check with the hotel before you book if this is a concern.

We should note that the only way to actually get into trouble under this law is for a relative of one of the people involved to complain to the Indonesian authorities about the arrangement. So, unless you are in a relationship with someone from the archipelago, it’s unlikely that you will have any issues, wherever you choose to go. 

Final Thoughts On Booking A Hotel In Bali Under 18

While there is no minimum age to book a hotel in Indonesian law, the fact that contract law only considers you to be an adult at the age of 18 means that most hotels aren’t keen to allow people to check in if they are under this limit.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. Make sure that you get these exceptions in writing before you book, and particularly before you pay a deposit or secure your booking with a card. 

Once you’ve done that, you can enjoy a trouble-free and stress-free holiday in Bali, and your adventure will be all upside.

If you enjoyed this guide, you may also find our guide to Bali’s hotel rating system useful or our article on why Bali continues to redefine global standards for luxury.