Dance Decisions Maybe Prom Night Hotel Rooms Aren’t Such A Great Idea

It used to be - when our parents were in high school - that Prom Night ended when the prom did. Nowadays, Prom Night isn’t over until the first rays of sunlight.

One of the up and coming trends for prom is getting a hotel room after the dance. Sometimes it’s for innocent reasons, such as the desire to hang out with your friends all night. The more common reason, though, is to drink and - sometimes - to have sex.

“I was at a party last year where people were drunk and passed out in one room and there was another room where couples were waiting in line so they could be alone in there,” said one South Hill senior who asked that his name not be used. “I don’t think they were playing cards in there.”

Many teens see prom night as a “grown-up” night - a time they’ve been planning for and waiting for throughout high school. Alcohol and intimacy are common - and a hotel room makes it easier.

Some parents think getting a room is fine - it makes them feel like their kids are safe if they’re not out driving around. One senior said, “My mom didn’t really care. She just told me not to get in trouble.”

Lewis and Clark senior Betsy Querna gave an informal survey to her friends and found that, in general, their parents don’t mind them getting a hotel room. They have a “whatever you want” mentality, she said.

On the other hand, there are parents who are strongly against the idea of their son or daughter staying at a hotel, especially after a dance.

“My parents thought it was unacceptable to get a room,” said Prep senior Karen Zog. “They don’t think it’s appropriate for high school students.”

Actually, it’s not easy to get a room. Most hotels require that the person making the reservation be at least 18 and have a credit card. That means it’s usually older friends or parents themselves renting rooms for teens.

Some Spokane hotels have policies against prom parties. The Ridpath Hotel won’t rent to people if they suspect it’s for a prom.

Another inhibitor is cost. Rooms can be expensive, especially for the average high school student.

“Everybody wants to stay together somewhere and a hotel room is usually too expensive for a cheap guy like me,” said Prep senior Cole Cosgrove.

As much fun as everybody thinks they may have in a hotel after Prom, one guy who went to a hotel party said it’s not worth it.

“It was dumb because we had to be quiet and it was small,” he said. “Not nearly as fun as you would expect.”