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Sleeping, Difference bewtween Single and Double in guidebooks

When looking at Rick Steves guidebook on sleeping he lists S for Single and D for Double. This may seem like a stupid question but I need verification I am reading this right. So Single ONLY means the price for 1 person? Or does that mean only a Single twin bed is available. Can two people reserve and stay in a Single with Single prices? Or do 2 people always have to pay for the Double rates? thanks

Posted by
19115 posts

Unlike the U.S. where they just charge for the room, usually with two queen or king beds, in Europe they customarily charge per person. A lot of their expenses - clean towels, hot water, breakfast - are per person, and they charge accordingly.

Posted by
3 posts

thanks Lee, So Single really does mean 1 person cost, and Double means the price for 2 people?

Posted by
5678 posts

Sometimes as a Single you can book a Double room. You might pay less than if there were two people in the room. Usually they will only sell a Double to a Single when they are completely booked up or it doesn't look they can sell it.

Pam

Posted by
881 posts

PS - Jordan, a lot of the hotels in Europe are MUCH more strict about this than US hotels. If the listing is for a single, and you try to bring two people in, or a double and you try to sleep 3, you may run into a big hassle or irate owner.

Doesn't always happen, but much more likely than in the US!

Posted by
518 posts

If you want to sleep in the same bed with another person, I suggest you say so in your reservation request. Same true if you want two separate beds. A double can mean two people AND two twin beds. Double does not always mean a bed the size for 2 people. That is usually true, but it's best to describe the sleeping arrangement you want. E-mail is the best way to communicate, I think. You usually will e-mail the hotel with your request, and they will get back to you. If you don't hear back, they probably don't have a room for your request. Give them a day or so to reply.