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.
As a US citizen it is very rare that I have ever been asked for ID at check in for Hilton properties in the US across hundreds of nights. Marriott and Hyatt, however, do so much more often. Hilton in the US usually allows a true full contactless / humanless experience when digital key is offered. But anywhere outside of the US, I am expecting a full ID validation at any hotel, absolutely.