Child Age for Hotels: What You Need to Know Before Booking

When you book a hotel room with kids, the child age for hotels, the cutoff used by hotels to determine if a guest is considered a child for pricing and policy purposes. Also known as age limits for accommodations, it can mean free stays, extra charges, or even denied access—depending on the property. There’s no universal rule. One hotel might let a 12-year-old stay free, while another starts charging at age 5. It’s not about safety or comfort—it’s about how the hotel defines its guest categories.

Most places in India, including Woodland Hotel, consider kids under 12 as children for complimentary stays, but that’s just a common practice, not a law. Some resorts list children as under 6, others up to 16. The real question isn’t just age—it’s whether the room has extra beds, if meals are included, and if the resort even allows kids at all. You’ll find plenty of places labeled "adults only" that quietly ban children under 18, while others offer kid clubs, play areas, or family suites. What’s included in your rate often changes based on how old your child is. A 3-year-old might eat free, but a 10-year-old could be charged half the adult price for breakfast. And don’t assume "family-friendly" means kid-proof. Some hotels have pools, but no shallow ends. Or they offer cribs, but charge for them.

When you’re planning a trip, don’t just look at the price. Check the fine print. Ask: Does the hotel charge for extra bedding? Do they provide high chairs or baby monitors? Are there quiet hours that affect families? These details matter more than whether your child is 7 or 9. Many guests assume all hotels follow the same rules, but they don’t. A resort in Goa might welcome toddlers with open arms, while a mountain lodge in Himachal might require a minimum age of 8 just to enter the dining area. The truth is, hotel policies for kids, the specific rules hotels set regarding children’s stays, meals, and access to amenities. Also known as family stay rules, they vary wildly between properties and even between seasons. What works in summer might change in monsoon. What’s allowed in a cottage might be banned in the main hotel wing.

You’ll find answers to these questions in the posts below. We’ve pulled together real experiences from travelers who’ve run into unexpected charges, confused staff, or been turned away because their child was one day too old. Some stories are about resorts that surprise you with free snacks for kids. Others are about places that charge for cribs, even when they’re basic. You’ll see what’s typical, what’s a scam, and what’s worth paying extra for. Whether you’re booking a quiet cottage for a weekend or a full resort stay, knowing the rules ahead of time saves stress, money, and wasted trips. No more guessing. No more surprises. Just clear, honest info from people who’ve been there.