California (Thechieftainspear) – A luxury resort in northern San Diego County has introduced a policy barring overnight stays for guests under 18, sparking debate over whether such restrictions comply with California’s civil rights laws.
Alila Marea Beach Resort’s New Age Restriction
The Alila Marea Beach Resort, located in Encinitas, enacted the adults-only overnight policy on Feb. 14, stating its goal is to offer a serene and relaxing environment for adult travelers.
While guests under 18 are no longer permitted to stay overnight, the resort clarified that minors can still attend events and dine at its restaurants. This policy aligns with other Alila Marea locations worldwide, including two in California, that also cater exclusively to adults.
The resort is not alone in enforcing age restrictions. Several hostels in San Diego County have similar rules, as well as resorts like a wellness spa in Vista and casino resorts like Sycuan and Viejas, which restrict access due to the state’s gambling age requirement.
Is the Adults-Only Policy Legal?
The legality of the policy remains uncertain due to California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, a 1959 law that prohibits discrimination in businesses based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, disability, and age.
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Under this law, businesses cannot impose arbitrary restrictions that deny access to their services. Previous legal rulings have struck down policies based on assumptions about certain groups, such as age-based bans on hotel stays.
However, businesses may limit access if they can demonstrate a legitimate reason, such as ensuring compliance with other laws. For example, rental car companies require renters to be at least 25, and casinos enforce a 21+ age requirement due to gambling regulations.
Legal Gray Area for the Resort
The central question is whether offering a peaceful atmosphere for adult guests is a strong enough justification to override the broad protections of the Unruh Act. In past rulings, the California Supreme Court has stated that minors being noisier or more disruptive than adults is not sufficient grounds to bar them from services.
If the policy is found to violate the law, the hotel could face fines of $4,000 per instance of discrimination.
Awaiting Official Response
Attempts to reach Alila Marea Beach Resort and Hyatt, its parent company, for comment were unsuccessful as of publication. Whether the policy will face legal challenges remains to be seen.
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