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Electrical Adaptors

Quick question about charging up our devices, phones, ipad, Mac book etc. We have an English adapter that will plug into the wall, but are curious, based on people's experiences, if English hotels have any USB plug ins? Are you always looking for more outlets and does it make sense to buy a retractable extension cord, about $18 on Amazon.

Posted by
6089 posts

if English hotels have any USB plug ins?

It really depends on the hotel. I’ve observed that USB outlets are more common in chain hotels that cater to business travelers.

Posted by
22454 posts

All hotels will have USB plugs in the room. Well, except all those that don't; which is probably most of them.

Everyone has their own technique for this. I don't like to carry a bunch of stuff, so I bring two adapters and 1 high output 2 port charger and one small single port charger and 2 - three foot cables and one short cable. One adapter, the sIngle port charger and the short cable sray packed and replace the everything else when I leave it behind at a hotel.

Posted by
9345 posts

The USB ports offered by the chain hotels are going to be for USB-A plugs, so if you need USB-C ports, you're SOL. I bought this device last year and used it recently on my London/Paris trip and it worked really well. It comes with a European plug, but you also get a UK adaptor and a US adaptor if you want to use it at home. It has 3 regular outlets, plus 2 USB-C and 2 USB-A ports and a 3-ft. long cord (there are other lengths available). Very handy if the outlet isn't where you need it to be (which happens frequently).

Posted by
2105 posts

Just bring your plug adapter. Hotels vary widely in whether they even have USB ports. The newer ones do but many of the older hotels don't.

Posted by
1366 posts

I always bring a plug adapter and a short extension cord with multiple outlets. That way, if the only plug is behind a piece of furniture (this happens more often than I would like), you can use it to have your charging devices in a more convenient location.

Posted by
35070 posts

the reason I asked about USB-C is that on recent trips to chain hotels in Germany, Luxembourg and France, several have had only USB-C next to the bed. It looks sleeker so maybe the design gurus got in.

Posted by
15 posts

Thanks to everyone for your replies, we need USB - C and the other one. LOL. I ended up getting a retractable extention cord from Amazon, and it has 2 USB C and one USB B and three, three prong plug ins. We won't use all of them. I can't believe I hadn't done this before!

Posted by
15 posts

Actually it's USB-A not B. What happened to B, did we skip right over to C?

Posted by
1430 posts

I’ve just bought another ‘global adapter’ that fits everywhere, including the U.K. where I think I’ve used it most, and has three USB A ports and one USB C port. It’s an upgrade from a previous one which had four USB A ports only. From Amazon, you can’t miss it, it’s a loud blue colour (other colours/variants are available!), good value and so far reliable. Fused too. (Comes with a spare).