What are my rights as a hotel guest in New York?

What the Law Says

New York law treats hotels as 'public accommodations' with strict duties toward guests. Key protections come from the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law and General Business Law, which impose safety, transparency, and accountability requirements on hotel operators.

Hotels in New York must maintain safe, sanitary, and habitable conditions at all times. This includes working locks on guest room doors, functioning smoke detectors, proper fire exits, and adequate lighting in common areas.

Under the General Business Law, hotels must clearly post their rates—including any mandatory fees—before accepting a reservation. They cannot increase the quoted rate after booking unless they gave written notice at least 48 hours before check-in.

Hotels must keep records of guest registrations, room assignments, and payments for at least 30 days. These records must be made available to law enforcement upon request, but guest privacy is otherwise protected: hotels may not disclose guest information without consent or legal process.

The law prohibits hotels from requiring guests to waive statutory rights — any clause in a contract or sign that says 'no liability' for negligence or unsafe conditions is unenforceable.

Statutory Text

Every hotel shall at all times maintain each guest room and public portion of such hotel in a clean, safe and sanitary condition.

— Multiple Dwelling Law, s. 251 — Hotel Requirements

Statutory Text

No hotel shall charge any person for lodging at a rate higher than the rate posted or quoted at the time of reservation, unless written notice of the change is given at least forty-eight hours prior to check-in.

— General Business Law, s. 394-a(2) — Lodging Rate Disclosure

Statutory Text

Any provision in a contract or notice waiving or limiting the liability of a hotel for personal injury or property loss caused by its negligence is void and unenforceable.

— General Business Law, s. 394-b — Void Waivers

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