Many people go away for all or part of Hanukah and stay in hotels. How does one fulfill the Misva of Hanukah candle lighting in a hotel?
Hacham Bension Abba Shaul (Israel, 1923-1998), in his responsa (vol. 4, 47; listen to audio recording for precise citation), rules that a hotel guest fulfills his obligation only by lighting in his room. The hotel room is considered the guest’s "home," as he pays for its use and the hotel owner does not have the right to enter the room without the guest’s permission. Some hotels designate areas in the lobby or dining room for candle lighting, but Hacham Bension maintains that one cannot fulfill the Misva by lighting in these areas. Since these are public spaces that one does not own, he does not fulfill the obligation by lighting there, and one must light in his room (of course exercising caution to ensure safety). If one’s hotel room is within 20 Amot (approximately 35 feet) from the street level, then he should light by the window. If the room is higher than 20 Amot, then one should light by the doorway. In such a case, one should light on the side opposite the Mezuza if there is a Mezuza, or, if there is no Mezuza on the doorpost, on the side where the Mezuza would be.
Hacham Bension also addresses the question of where a person should light if he leaves for his hotel stay in the evening, after the time for candle lighting. The time for Hanukah candle lighting is around 4:30-5pm, and thus if a person does not leave for the hotel until 6 or 7, for example, the question arises as to where he should light. Hacham Bension rules that if one is home at the time when the obligation of candle lighting takes effect, then he must light in his home. Preferably, he should then remain home for a half-hour while the candles burn, though this is not obligatory.
Summary: If one sleeps in a hotel during Hanukah, he should light Hanukah candles in his hotel room. If one is home at the time when the obligation of candle lighting takes effect, and will then leave to sleep in a hotel, he should light at home and, preferably, wait a half-hour before leaving.
