We are traveling to Switzerland in July...my husband, my 19 year old, 15 year old, and 11 year old - all girls, and me. For most hotels we have booked two rooms. For one hotel I have found a family room that says max 4 people. It has a double bed a set of bunk bed and there is a couch my youngest would fit on. How strict are they in monitoring the number of people in a room. In the states I would definitely do it, but I am a little too nervous in another country especially during high tourist season. It would be really bad if we run into a problem and they have no additional rooms.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2560 posts
Can't tell you about Switzerland but other countries are super strict about how many to a room and I believe it has to do with fire laws. I definitely would not show up and try this as you may be breaking the law, not having a room and also setting a bad example to your children. Just my two cents
Posted by
1262 posts
We also travel as a family of 5 and I do not like to be in different rooms. Our answer has been to travel with a sleeping pad and sleeping bag. We are experienced backpackers and own lightweight gear; in this case the sleeping pad is inflatable and the bag is lightweight down, and I think the combo weighs 1.5 pounds. If I am in a situation like yours (booking says "max 4"), I ask if they have an extra bed, and if not, I ask if it would be ok for us to use the pad and bag (my wording is a "discreet" sleeping pad and bag that we have used in many places), and offer to pay for an extra person. So far I have been allowed to do this at no extra charge. Have you asked about an extra bed?
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Jessica, I told one hotel we did not need an extra bed because we would do as you have done. I also offered to pay for an additional person. They said it was a fire rule and we could not have more than the max number, unless the extra person is under 7. Do you have one under 7? I did not book there because of their response. I also don't like to be in separate rooms and am happy to pay more for an additional person but I am having trouble finding any rooms big enough. Have you found hotels that will allow more than the max number of people with older children?
Posted by
Wengen
2826 posts
You will not be able to get around booking the exact humber of persons that are staying. This because there are things like tourist tax and other charges that are levied per person. And there are fire regulations. If there is a fire then the fire department expects the hotel manager to be able to produce a list of all the people staying on the property at once.
So don't book a 4 person room and stay in it with five persons. if they discover you they may just put you on the street promptly.
You may have to book multiple rooms sometimes. Or look at appartments.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
790 posts
Don’t do it in Switzerland. I’d suggest looking at chalet apartments. Look at Airbnb, but also e-Domizil, Interhome, chalet.myswitzerland.com + look into googling local rental companies based on the town. You’ll get more for your money. But this close to July your pickings are going to be slim in popular spots.
Posted by
1262 posts
Hi again, I have not encountered the fire rule issue. No, my kids are now 17, 20, and 22. We have been traveling this way their whole lives. Sometimes we ask and sometimes we dont. BUT, we do stay much more often at Airbnb's for this reason (to stay together, and to make things cheaper by being able to cook). So Airbnb could be an option f you are not ethically opposed.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
790 posts
Why would someone be ethically opposed to staying in an Airbnb?
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thanks everyone! Two rooms or some of the other options it is!