I'm too hot under those duvets!

I tend to take a silk sleeping bag with me in the summer, and although that would not add any weight, maybe combined with the sheet that would be enough. In the winter, or when I traveled to Ireland (no heat in most of the hotels at night) I take a fleece sleeping bag. It does not really take up much room and I just hook it on my rollaboard, then I have it on the plane. There were a few times I was so happy I had it.

Our hotels in Europe on our last trip did not even have a top sheet. You were either burning up or uncovered. I think I read here that you can ask for just a duvet cover, and use that as a blanket.

Great advice, thanks!!!

My husband & I pull the duvet out of the cover & put it out of the way. The way the beds are made seems to be the all or none law!

You might ask the hotel if they have a lighter duvet. Most people here have summer and winter duvets that they switch out, so I would imagine the hotels might have somethig too, especially if you are staying in one that has A/C. Have you tried just opening the windows to have your room cool down? My duvet is really, really light for the summer. No down or feathers for this time of year! When using a duvet, there is no need of a sheet and have never heard of having one on the bed in combination with a duvet.

It's either duvet or top sheet and comforter, but as earlier mentioned, duvets come in different thicknesses. Northern Europe use duvets, southern Europe use top sheets and comforter/cover. I don't know exactly where the dividing line goes, probably somewhere through Germany ;-) This is a cultural thing and probably also influenced of the climate.

Great info, guys. Jo, I guess when I'm talking about the sheet, that's when I'm in American hotels. But if we have a duvet, I will take all your suggestions and remove the duvet from the cover and just use the cover unless the hotel has a lighter cover. Aren't duvets, even in Europe, generally the same thickness as a comforter in America? Or do they have ones that are more like a coverlet? Jo, we don't travel to Europe in winter, so opening the window hasn't been an option. We usually go in September. This time, we're lucky to mostly be staying in hotels/apartments/B&B's with A/C, but considering how cold we like it, many places are locked and don't allow us to put it that low! :)

Two weeks ago we had the same problem in both Paris and Lucerne. The hotel room was quite warm at night and we slept poorly (despite open windows). The hotel in Lucerne gave us room fans, so it became a bit better.

Amy Duvets in Europe come in TOG ratings - Thermal Overall Grade. According to the premium British department store John Lewis Lightweight summer duvet: 4.5 tog Spring/Autumn weight duvet: 9.0 - 10.5 tog
Winter weight duvet: 12.0 - 13.5 tog and many duvets are sold, at retail, in sets of 4.5 and 9.0. That allows us to put on a summer one, a winter one, and both together for deep winter, as the numbers can be added. That doesn't say what commercial operations do. It does show that different levels are available, and a good hotelier will want you to be comfortable. If I were uncomfortable I would speak to the hotelier and many will work hard to make you comfortable. Bon chance...

If you recall the story about the burglar in Alex Trebek's hotel room recently, we learned that he really doesn't wear much when sleeping...perhaps you could try that approach?

Thanks for the explanation, Nigel. And you're so right. I'm paying to stay at these establishments, so I SHOULD be comfortable! I will talk to the front desk from now on and see how they can make me more comfortable when I sleep. Good point.
Michael, I saw that on The Soup! Too funny.

Amy - I usually take the comforter out of the duvet cover and just use the cover. If I don't think that will be enough, most places have regular blankets or lighter comforters. One place gave me an extra duvet cover and the two covers alone were perfect... Good luck!

On our trip to France last spring, I roasted in almost every room we stayed in. The beds were made up with just a bottom sheet and a duvet. I did end up taking the duvet out of the cover when we were in Paris. The AC would not turn on, and it was 80+ F. We are headed to London and Brugge next month. I will bring a sheet in my suitcase so i can remove the covers if I have to.

We also as a matter of course take the duvet out of the cover and use the cover only. Of course that only works if the cover alone is warm enough! If in doubt we leave the duvet folded at the end of the bed.

We encountered the same thing in Ireland and Scotland this summer. Some places also had a top sheet. If not, we asked and an extra sheet was provided.

We loved the duvets so much the first time we went many years ago that we came back and went to IKEA to get some for our bed! We love them. Even in June 2003 when we were in Austria during their heatwave, I was 5 months pregnant and staying in a hotel with no a/c I didn't find them hot.

Just want to add my 10pence worth!
I love duvets and have used one for over 20 years. But the filler makes quite a difference. The ones used in hotels are likely to be made with man-made filler (more easily cleaned and hypo-allergenic). But they tend to be hotter. There are also feather and down ones, or best of all (IMHP)) pure down. And silk. These duvets, made of natural materials, 'breathe' better and seem (to me) to be more comfortable.

When you get too warm under a duvet, you just uncover your feet! Amazing how this works. Seriously!

Uncovering my feet works to an extent, but it's not usually enough. Most people do not have this problem... As I said at the beginning, I'm hot-natured and can use nothing but light coverlets all year round. So I'm yet to use a duvet at a hotel that's comfortable for me. But I thank everyone for the suggestions for alternatives to having the duvet on the bed! 9 days until we leave! :)