Where to find a hotel room and charge your car at the same time

Most major hotel chains now offer at least some rooms with EV charging, but availability varies widely by location, brand, and how recently the property was renovated. The fastest way to find one is to filter by charging availability on booking sites like Hotels.com, Booking.com, or directly on hotel websites — most now have an EV charging checkbox. What you'll actually find ranges from a single Level 2 charger shared by the whole property to dedicated fast chargers in a reserved lot, so the listing alone won't tell you whether you can charge overnight or need to move your car after a few hours.

The real constraint isn't finding a hotel with charging — it's finding one in the specific city and price range you need, with a charger that matches your car's connector type and charging speed. A Tesla Supercharger at a hotel is rare; a Level 2 charger (the standard 240-volt outlet) is common. If you're staying more than one night, Level 2 is usually enough to fully charge overnight. If you're passing through for a few hours, you need to know whether the hotel has fast charging and whether you can access it without being a guest.

Key Takeaways

  • Most major chains (Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Choice Hotels) have EV charging at some properties, but not all locations — check the specific hotel's listing before booking.
  • Level 2 chargers (240-volt) are standard at hotels and will fully charge most EVs overnight; DC fast chargers are rare and usually only at premium or newer properties.
  • Booking sites let you filter by EV charging, but the listing won't tell you the charger type, how many are available, or whether you need to pay extra to use them.
  • Call the hotel directly before arrival to confirm the charger is working, ask about parking location, and find out whether non-guests can use it if you need a quick charge during the day.

Major hotel chains with the most EV charging coverage

Marriott International (which owns Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Westin, Sheraton, and other brands) has committed to installing EV charging at thousands of properties. As of now, hundreds of their locations have at least one charger, though coverage is heaviest in California, the Northeast, and major metro areas. The chargers are typically Level 2 and free for guests, but availability at any single property is not may provide.

Hilton Hotels, IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), and Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion) all have EV charging programs, though the rollout is slower than Marriott's. Hilton's program is growing fastest, with hundreds of properties now offering charging. IHG and Choice Hotels have fewer locations with chargers, so you'll need to check each property individually. Independent and smaller chains are less likely to have charging, though some boutique hotels in EV-friendly cities have added it.

Tesla has also partnered with some hotel chains to install Superchargers at select properties, primarily in California and the Southwest. These are fast chargers but typically available only to Tesla owners. Check Tesla's map to see if your destination hotel is on the network.

How to check charger type and availability before you book

When you search for a hotel on Booking.com, Hotels.com, or Expedia, use the EV charging filter to narrow results. This will show you properties with at least one charger, but it won't tell you whether it's Level 2 or DC fast charging. Click through to the hotel's own website or call the property directly — the listing should specify charger type, number of chargers, and whether there's a fee.

The hotel's website often has more detail than third-party booking sites. Look for a section on amenities or sustainability, or search the page for "EV" or "electric vehicle." If the information isn't there, the hotel's phone number is usually listed; ask the front desk or reservations team about charger type, how many are available, parking location, and whether you need to reserve a spot in advance.

PlugShare and ChargeHub are apps that map public chargers, including those at hotels. Search your destination and filter by hotel chargers to see what's nearby, read reviews from other drivers, and check whether chargers are currently working. These apps often have more up-to-date information than hotel websites, especially about outages or maintenance.

Level 2 versus DC fast charging at hotels

A Level 2 charger delivers about 6 to 19 miles of range per hour, depending on your car and the charger's power output. For an overnight stay (8 to 12 hours), this is enough to fully charge most EVs, even if you arrived with a low battery. Level 2 is the standard at hotels because it's cheaper to install and operate than fast charging, and it meets most guests' needs. You'll plug in when you arrive and unplug before you leave.

A DC fast charger delivers 100 to 350 miles of range per hour, depending on the charger and your car's capability. These are expensive to install and operate, so hotels rarely have them. When they do, they're usually at premium properties or newer hotels in major cities. Fast charging is useful if you're stopping for a few hours during a road trip, not overnight. If a hotel lists DC fast charging, call ahead to confirm it's working and ask whether you can use it as a non-guest or whether you need to be registered in a room.

Check your car's manual or the manufacturer's website to see what connector types your vehicle accepts. Tesla uses its own connector; most other EVs use either CCS (Combined Charging System) or CHAdeMO. A hotel charger that doesn't match your connector is useless to you, so this detail matters before you book.

What to do if the hotel's charger isn't working

Chargers break down, and hotels don't always update their websites when ready. Call the hotel a day or two before arrival and ask the front desk to confirm the charger is operational. If you arrive and find it out of service, ask the front desk for a refund or credit on your room — you paid for a service that wasn't available. Some hotels will offer this without argument; others may push back, so having a record of the charger being listed in your booking confirmation helps.

If you need to charge urgently and the hotel's charger is down, use PlugShare or ChargeHub to find public chargers nearby. Many are at shopping centers, parking garages, or municipal lots and are free or low-cost. You may need to leave the hotel to charge, which is inconvenient but better than arriving home with a dead battery.

Parking and charger access for hotel guests

Ask the hotel where the charger is located when you book or call ahead. Some hotels have chargers in a dedicated EV lot; others have them in regular parking or valet. If the charger is in valet parking and you prefer to self-park, confirm that you can still access it. Some hotels require you to park in a specific spot or reserve the charging space in advance, so clarify this before you arrive.

If you're staying multiple nights, ask whether you can keep your car plugged in the whole time or whether you need to move it after charging is complete. Some hotels have time limits (e.g., unplug after 12 hours) to rotate access. Knowing this in advance prevents a surprise knock on your door or a tow notice.

If you're not a guest but need a quick charge during the day, call the hotel and ask whether non-guests can use the charger. Some allow it for a small fee; others restrict it to registered guests only. This is especially important if you're passing through a town with limited public charging options.

Cost of charging at hotels

Most hotels include EV charging for free as part of your room rate, especially at Level 2 chargers. Some premium properties or those with DC fast chargers may charge a fee — typically $5 to $15 per session or per hour. A few hotels bundle charging into a resort fee or parking fee, so check the full rate breakdown when you book.

Charging overnight at a Level 2 charger costs the hotel very little, so free charging is becoming standard. If a hotel charges for Level 2 charging, it's usually a sign they're still testing the service or managing high demand. Call ahead and ask about fees so you're not surprised at checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I charge my EV at a hotel if I'm not staying there?

Some hotels allow non-guests to use their chargers for a fee, but most restrict access to registered guests only. Call the hotel directly and ask. If they say no, use PlugShare or ChargeHub to find public chargers nearby — many are free or low-cost and don't require a hotel stay.

How long does it take to fully charge at a hotel?

At a Level 2 charger, a full charge typically takes 6 to 12 hours depending on your car's battery size and the charger's power output. Most overnight stays are long enough. DC fast charging takes 20 to 45 minutes for an 80% charge, but hotels rarely have fast chargers.

What if the hotel charger doesn't match my car's connector?

You won't be able to use it. Before booking, check your car's manual to see whether it uses Tesla, CCS, or CHAdeMO connectors. Call the hotel and ask what connector type their charger has. If it doesn't match, find a different hotel or plan to charge at a public station nearby.

Do I need to reserve the charging spot in advance?

Most hotels with Level 2 chargers don't require advance reservation — you just park in the EV spot when you arrive. Some properties with limited chargers or high demand may ask you to reserve when you check in. Call ahead to ask whether reservation is needed at your specific hotel.

Will my car be safe parked at a hotel charger overnight?

Hotel parking lots are generally as safe as any other guest parking. If the charger is in a dedicated EV lot or valet area, it may be more find than standard parking. Ask the hotel whether the charger area is monitored or lit at night if security is a concern.