Europe - book a double room or one with two twins?

You're right, it can be a problem for tall/big travelers in Europe. I don't stay at the Ritz (where Rick stays these days), so I can't speak to bed size at that caliber of hotel but at the kind of accommodations typically listed in Rick's books, bed sizes are smaller than in US hotels and the specifics vary by country. In general only, a double means a bed that is no wider than a US queen, if you're lucky, and maybe more like a US double. King size is rare, or maybe I don't stay at the right hotels.For these reasons, your idea of booking a room with two twin beds sounds like a good idea--although you may need to make sure the hotel understands what you mean by two twin beds.

Thanks Kent, that helps alot. Pam

When making you reservations be sure that you and the hotel are using the same definitions. For example, in many cases asking for "2 singles" will get you 2 rooms, each with a single bed. In most of the budget range hotels I have stayed in a double bed is 2 single beds pushed together and I don't recall ever seeing a king or queen mattress. But, again, I don't stay in the high end hotels.

Thanks, Jeff,
Usually when booking I've found that hotels will state that there are two twins in a 'double room' or one double in a double room. I really appreciate the input and I will definitely make sure the hotel and I are on the same page.

Different countries have different standards too, as do each hotel. In Germany a double bed is usually, 2 twin beds pushed together as stated in an earlier post. When we were in Bayeax, we had a king size bed in one B&B and a really uncomfortable, smaller double in another B&B. You might just ask at each hotel what size the beds are. When booking your room, ask for a double room which means 2 people are sharing the room, but then ask for if that is what you decide to do.

Hi Pam,
In Europe a double bed is 4ft 6inches wide.
A single is 2ft 6inches or 3 feet wide, so 2 singles pushed together will give you a bed that is 5or 6 ft wide. A king size bed is 6ft wide, but that size is rare outside 5 star hotels.

We have the same concerns--a double bed for two people is rough. Double bed = each adult has the space(width) of a baby crib. We usually request twin beds to be safe. However, in our recent travels we have found the beds are bigger regardless of the hotel/inn being upscale or budget. The popular arrangement lately is two twins pushed together with rolled up duvets and this is a good thing. It has been a long time since we encountered a double bed but we experienced this in London for five nights and that was not pleasant even though it was a nice hotel in S. Kensington(Regency)--I think it has been totally renovated so beds are probably replaced. We had to rule out a hotel in Italy that sounded great but the bed was described as a 3/4 size which seemed to be six inches more narrow than a double. We also have king size at home so going smaller is tough.

If you are staying in smaller Family run places, there simply will be no standard. My experience is that any establishment will have a collection of matresses accumulated over time of all sizes, shapes, and comfort. Simply ask to see the room, if the bed is not to your liking, ask to see another. In 4 star places, matresses are probably more uniform, so taking a look will be less helpful.

Wow, thank you all for the info, this is the best forum I've been on as far as quick replies! In the meantime, we were able to look at traveler's photos on tripadvisor of the hotel we are staying at in Geneva (the one I was concerned about) and the double is indeed two twins pushed together. Now I just have to figure out the situation in Barcelona, and I'll finally be done!!

One more piece of advice, learned from hard experience. Before you are done packing be sure to check the space between the beds. Things have a nasty way of falling into it and can easily be overlooked.

Pam, check on tripadvisor.com about beds, comfort and look at traveler's photos & reviews..........this really helps get a better perspective from those who actually slept in the beds!