Bed sizes??

My experience staying in smaller family run or independent hotels, typically in older properties, is that bed size or type is all over the map. A "double" bed might be the size of an American double, maybe a queen, maybe just two singles or smaller singles pushed together. It might be worth it to explain when checking in (They can see your husband and understand) they may let you take a look at the available rooms and pick one that works.

In Europe you are generally charged per person for a room. So refers to a double just means two people in the room. As stated the bed set up can vary from two singles to a standard double bed. A reference to a matrimony double will mean one double bed for two. And our experience is the double bed tends to be the standard double bed size - not queen - unless it is two singles pushed together. If this is critical then double check with the hotel prior to booking.

Standard widths of typical Italian beds are:
Single bed (Twin bed in America): 80 cm wide X 190 (or sometimes extra long at 200 cm long)
Standard Matrimoniale or Double bed (like Queen in America): 160 cm wide (length sizes same as above single bed)
King Double bed: 170 cm wide (same lengths as above).

There are also the so called Piazza e Mezzo, a sort of full size bed (120 cm wide), French Matrimonial (140cm wide), but they are rare except for as antique furnishings, as they were the standards a century ago, so you are not likely to find them in hotels.

The most likely double bed in hotels (matrimoniale) is the standard double at 160cm wide, that is 63 in. (so 3 inches wider than the American Queen, which is 60in). Since the single bed is exactly half width, Sometimes hotels put two single beds next to each other then call it double bed.

The length is at least 190cm, which would be 6ft 3in, already sufficient for your husband.

If you can't get the size in cm then book a twin room if you want to avoid a double bed. 140 is the typical French double -- that is dinky, like a US double. 160 is sort of like a queen and many hotels have gone to this standard. 180 is like a King and fairly uncommon. If I can't get assurances that a hotel room has a 160 at least, then I book a twin. 'double' means nothing but that it is a bed for two -- it says nothing of the size.

A camera doppia (double room) means you either have two single twin beds of 80cm (32in) wide each (sometimes placed next to each other to make like a queen size).
A camera matrimoniale will have a matrimoniale bed which is 160 cm (63in) wide, so a bit wider than a Queen size in America,
Since you are married to your husband and hopefully not living separately like the President and the First Lady, ask for a matrimoniale, so you can be in the same queen size bed with your husband.

Thx all for the info. I will either request the 160m or two twins to be sure!

We have noticed that many hotels list the bed as a "double" but often it turns out to be a king. As mentioned above, they often list tye width. You can always email the hotel and ask,

Becky, we've never had a king in Europe. Most have been standard double or two twins pushed together. Every once in awhile we'll end up with a little closer to queen but king? Nope, not so far. Maybe in 5-star hotels?

I'm Florence we had a room that contained a double and a queen.... ..so I'd say all beds are possible contenders