I have been asked if hotel rooms are like your home in re the law.

I have spoken on this at length, but because there is a kerfluffle ongoing, I will speak on it briefly again.

Yes, kind of. /1

Pursuant to Stoner v. State of Cal., 376 U.S. 483 (1964), police do not have the authority to enter a hotel room without a warrant. This protection extends to the registered guests, during a period of lawful occupation, who are using the room as a temporary residence. /2

However this is subject to exceptions. For example, where the primary purpose of the room was to conduct business or party, the subjective expectation and privacy - and thus the constitutional protection in the room - is lessened. Minnesota v. Carter, 525 U.S. 83, 90 (1998). /3

Further, while a hotel cannot grant permission to the police to search or enter a room registered to a valid guest, a hotel can report what its employees see in a room to the police, who can use that as justification for a warrant. /4

Finally, and obviously, the expectation of privacy expires with the room rental. Where the hotel acts to evict a guest - such as for a termination of the rules - the hotel generally will advise the guest to vacate by a certain time. If the guest refuses, then the hotel /5

generally may contact the police or appropriate authorities for removal of the guest, who has now become a trespasser on the property. At that point, the guest generally has no subjective expectation of privacy and thus no valid Fourth Amendment protection. /6

As always, exceptions exist, such as if the police are called to tell a guest to keep the noise down or check on reported activity and see, through the door, something plainly illegal, or any other recognized exigency. /7

Additionally, and importantly, while the fact a registered guest using a hotel room for overnight stays as a temporary abode has a protected Fourth Amendment interest similar to a home is SCOTUS precedent, the limitations of that protection are the subject of circuit splits. /8

So there really isn't one definite answer outside of "Yeah, kind of."

It's there, but it's subject to exceptions for purpose of stay, usage, compliance with hotel rules and non-eviction, and who would bring the claim, as well as all other expected exigencies to such an interest.

In short, you know, as long as you're using a hotel room like you're supposed to be using it, follow the law in checking in and registering, and leave when you're supposed to, you have the protections you would have in your home.

If you had a daily cleaning service.