Classic Double Room in Single use

I book for single occupancy for myself all the time. What you are seeing is the rate for one person, to occupy a room available normally for two. Often this rate is a bit cheaper for one person, than for two for the same room type. A single room for one person usually implies a single bed and often a smaller room. A double room for one person means a regular room, with either a matrimonial bed or twin beds.

That is the rate for one person, in a room that is larger than a regular 'single" room. Larger bed too. But one person only.

And fwiw sometimes the double bed ("matrimoniale) is literally two twins pushed together, sometimes even made up separately. Makes me think of Rob and Laura Petrie from old TV. :-)

Jeff, I usually travel "solo" and have found that if the Hotel doesn't have a single room available, they'll put single travellers in a double room. However in those circumstances they usually add a "supplement" so the charge is higher for a single occupying a double room. I've found this in other countries as well, so it's not unique to Italy. As an example, check the rates for Hotel Aberdeen in Rome. You'll note that "Double Use Single" is higher than either "Single" or "Superior Single". I'm assuming this is based on the fact that one person won't be buying two dinners in the Hotel restaurant or spending money for other Hotel services? Cheers!

Thanks for the replies. Too bad there's not a rate for two people staying in a single room!

Jeff, I'm not sure the Hotels would allow two people to stay in a single room? You'd automatically be assigned a double. As I usuallly travel solo (when not with a RS Tour), I have lots of experience with single rooms. These often tend to be smaller than other rooms, with more "spartan" facilities, and a narrow single bed. I'm not sure two people would be "comfortable" in a room like that.

Keep in mind that room rates are based on number of persons occupying the room. That is different than here in the US where you rent a room at a flat room rate. So a single person renting a double sized room will have a different rate than if two people occupy the room.

Actually, I was being facetious, figuring if a double with one person was more expensive, then a single with two would be less. I agree that in the USA one is generally charged by the room-up to a point, while elsewhere the charge is per capita.
But, thanks for continuing my thread.