Originally Posted by
Lost_Luggage_in_SEA
In my experience (UK citizen but US resident since 1985) almost all US hotels require a photo ID to check in and have done for years: it's not just hiltons. Sometimes there are local or state laws that require the hotel to check the photo id but in other cases it's just a way for the hotel to try to prevent some fraudulent stays.
At least locally here, its cause they don't let local residents book rooms. some properties even go as far as a 70 mile radius.