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AIBU?

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Original poster

4 people in one hotel room

220 replies

MuffinFace · 05/01/2025 10:19

I'm trying to book a night in a hotel near Manchester airport and am baffled to find that the only way for our family of 4 (2 adults, an 8 year old and a 4 year old) to do this seems to be to get a room with 2 double beds. It's sometimes a proper double bed and a double sofa bed on offer, sometimes 2 full double beds. I don't understand how we're supposed to arrange ourselves - I get that there are technically 4 spaces in the beds but who wants it as two doubles rather than a double and two singles?! I had similar problems before booking in Edinburgh and in Germany. AIBU to think that most people booking 4 people in a room would want 1 double and 2 singles instead of 2 doubles or am I missing something?

OP posts:
SALaw · 05/01/2025 11:43

nopdhhd · 05/01/2025 11:38

@SALaw the beds tend to be much bigger though.

Not my experience in Florida or New York.

dreamer24 · 05/01/2025 11:43

We had a very similar set up a few years back when 4 of us stayed in an airport hotel before we went on holiday. We had eldest teen DD and me sharing a bed, and DH and youngest DD (only 2 at the time) in a pull out sofa bed next the wall, with DD2 nearest the wall so she didn't roll off. It was easy to sort. It's not the most practical or comfiest nights sleep we've ever had but it's one night before a holiday so it was a relatively minor inconvenience 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
MuffinFace · 05/01/2025 11:42

MILLYmo0se · 05/01/2025 11:02

Why would hotel's have multiple rooms with a double bed and 2 singles though? The configuration of 2 doubles/double and double sofa bed/ double, single, trundle bed allows much more flexibility with bookings and importantly space in the room during the day or for guests that don't need all the beds

Well this is it, I can get the double plus sofa bed, or double/single/trundle as then you don't have to use beds if you don't need them (the usual option in family rooms where I am is double plus fold down single bunks). It's the two full, permanent double beds in one room that is more confusing to me because it doesn't seem like it'd be anyone's optimal configuration and is less flexible. I suppose it gives more floor space than double plus two full singles which you might want.

OP posts:
NetZeroZealot · 05/01/2025 11:41

At least in Germany you each get single duvets on the double bed which makes it a bit easier

nopdhhd · 05/01/2025 11:40

I'd have thought double plus twins would be more flexible and it'd therefore be easier to fill them but then again I don't work in hotels so what do I know!

2 singles are the size of a super king bed, then you have to have the space to separate them. So it requires a lot more space, which means fewer rooms and less income. If most of the market are providing double double in a certain price point, they can maximise their profit providing the most cost efficient set up.

SALaw · 05/01/2025 11:40

MuffinFace · 05/01/2025 11:06

Part of the issue here probably comes from that fact that both of my children are terrible sleepers, go to bed at pretty different times and absolutely couldn't share a bed, but if we can't find something else one of us will have to share with each child. The main thing though is that I don't understand who would choose this over a double and two singles. Those of you saying your children share, surely it would still be better if they each had a single bed rather than sharing a double? And to the person who mentioned two adults sharing a room who want separate beds, isn't that what a twin room is for? What I'm struggling with is who would actively choose two doubles to the point where so many hotels have it as the only option for 4 people in one room!

I don't understand the issue about them going to bed at different times - you're all going to be in one room so surely that is the same whether they are in the same bed or with an adult each?

PeppyGreenFinch · 05/01/2025 11:39

MuffinFace · 05/01/2025 11:34

Oh that's an interesting point. I'm surprised if it's that much of an issue that it outweighs the benefits (at least the ones I can see) but I can certainly see how it would discourage non-family groups which you might want to do.

Show quote history

I think hotels are massively geared to only two people sharing a room. And offer a cot style bed for children like Premier Inn, but they need to be under 18.

Some hotels make exceptions and have family rooms but they’re getting rarer as they want to force you to book additional rooms.

dreamer24 · 05/01/2025 11:38

I don't understand how we're supposed to arrange ourselves

Eh? There are 4 available spaces to sleep in, and 4 of you? So you each take a space and sleep in it, surely 😂 How is this a conundrum?

nopdhhd · 05/01/2025 11:38

@SALaw the beds tend to be much bigger though.

SALaw · 05/01/2025 11:36

Tip for you - don't ever go o holiday to America. That's how all their family hotel rooms are. Wasn't an issue for us when our kids were the ages of yours but now we have a 15 year old daughter and 12 year old son it is more difficult, so I share with daughter and husband shares with son.

mitogoshigg · 05/01/2025 11:34

@MuffinFace

When I meet up with my dd we prefer two doubles as singles seem too small!

Original poster
MuffinFace · 05/01/2025 11:34

PeppyGreenFinch · 05/01/2025 11:27

They’re trying to discourage single people from booking these rooms in groups.

So a single person is likely to share with 3 friends if only 2 double beds are on offer. Whereas more singles would book a double and 2 single beds.

It’s crap, I know.

Oh that's an interesting point. I'm surprised if it's that much of an issue that it outweighs the benefits (at least the ones I can see) but I can certainly see how it would discourage non-family groups which you might want to do.

OP posts:
mitogoshigg · 05/01/2025 11:33

@DowntonShabbie

My thoughts tooGrin

Original poster
MuffinFace · 05/01/2025 11:32

JimHalpertsWife · 05/01/2025 11:28

Hotel chains are in the business of making money. If "double double" rooms sell better than double plus twins, that is what they will provide.

Yeah I can see that, I'm really just wondering who it is who prefers "double double". I'd have thought double plus twins would be more flexible and it'd therefore be easier to fill them but then again I don't work in hotels so what do I know!

OP posts:
AllThePotatoesAreSingingJingleBells · 05/01/2025 11:29

You are all in one room. It doesn’t matter who goes to bed at what time. Once the first person goes to bed it’s quiet time! It’s one night.

JimHalpertsWife · 05/01/2025 11:28

Hotel chains are in the business of making money. If "double double" rooms sell better than double plus twins, that is what they will provide.

PeppyGreenFinch · 05/01/2025 11:27

They’re trying to discourage single people from booking these rooms in groups.

So a single person is likely to share with 3 friends if only 2 double beds are on offer. Whereas more singles would book a double and 2 single beds.

It’s crap, I know.

eggandonion · 05/01/2025 11:27

Don't have a third child op...Thea would take you to a whole new level!

RosesAndHellebores · 05/01/2025 11:24

It's actually pretty simple @MuffinFace. Either you take the room for 4 with two and compromise on the basis that It's more comfy than the departure lounge, or you pay for two interconnecting rooms.or two separate twin rooms and take a child each.

IncessantNameChanger · 05/01/2025 11:22

My kids wouldn't share a bed but they will share with us. I shared a king size bed with my ds 16 last year. He would not share with his brother

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 05/01/2025 11:21

This would be fine in my family. My Gdcs very often share anyway - when they stay here the 3 of them enjoy being cuddled up together like puppies in a sofa bed (standard double size). Last time I offered the eldest (9) a spare single bed elsewhere, but she preferred to stay with her siblings.

They all sleep right through perfectly well.

JimHalpertsWife · 05/01/2025 11:20

So just so 1x adult and 1x dc per bed. It's one night, are you incapable of not sharing wt your dh.

needld · 05/01/2025 11:19

@MuffinFace Another vote for Premier Inn family rooms. They do free kids breakfast too.

MILLYmo0se · 05/01/2025 11:18

No one is disagreeing the a double and 2 singles would be preferable though, it's just from the hotels point as I said further up the thread the other options are preferable and people make do

devilspawn · 05/01/2025 11:17

You're better off getting an Airbnb for multiple people. Loads of choice within a £20 taxi ride, and likely cheaper.

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