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Boyfriend doesn't want me sharing a bed with Bestfriend on trip

434 replies

okiedokieokayy · 26/07/2026 21:47

My best friend of around 8 years (we met at uni) has been living abroad for over two years and is finally coming back to the UK next month. I've been so excited to see her. To mark the occasion and make sure we actually get proper quality time together, we booked a little countryside retreat about 4 hours from where I live. Logistics also played a part, as she's coming from visiting family and then jetting off again, so this was the easiest way to make it work. We've had this trip planned for about four months. She made the booking and I was more than happy for her to sort it.
For context, my friend and I have shared a bed completely platonically loads of times over the years. Drunkenly crashing at uni, travelling together as broke backpackers, visiting each other in different cities. It's just never been a thing. So when she booked the room it genuinely didn't occur to me to ask about the bed situation. I'd have been fine with sharing or a twin, it just wasn't a question that entered my head.
It only came up when I was chatting to my boyfriend of nearly two and a half years about the trip. Not the first conversation we've had about it, like I said I've been excited, but this time the topic of rooms came up. He'd assumed we had separate rooms and when I said no, it's one room with a double, his whole mood changed. He said he wasn't comfortable with me sharing a bed with her. I should mention here that my friend happens to be a lesbian, and he knows this. When I asked why it was suddenly an issue, he said it "just feels different" and that he wouldn't share a bed with someone who could potentially be attracted to him, so he didn't see why I would. I tried to explain that we've shared beds plenty of times before, that she's basically family to me, and that she has never once, in eight years, shown even a hint of interest in me like that. He wasn't having it.
He then asked me to at least check if the hotel had twin rooms. I did check, to keep the peace, and there aren't any available. His response was that I need to book a separate room. It's a lot of money and honestly I'm not sure I can afford it, especially for something I don't think is necessary.
The bit that's really bothering me is that I mentioned it to my friend. I told her what he'd said and after some conversation I floated the idea that maybe I should just book the separate room. She went quiet for a second and then said "erm, yeah, okay, if that's what you think's best." There was a definite tone in her voice, like she was holding something back and trying not to cause drama. And now I feel awful. I can't work out if I'm more upset that my boyfriend doesn't seem to trust my judgement, or worried that she's hurt by the inference, because let's be honest, the implication is that because she's gay she can't be trusted to share a bed with a friend, which feels really unfair on her.
I know some people here will use the "what if she was a guy" or "would you be okay with your boyfriend sharing a bed with a straight female friend" argument, and I get why, but I'm honestly not sure it's the same thing. This is someone I've known for nearly a decade with zero history or hint of anything romantic. I don't know how I feel and I don't know what to do. Do I pay for a room I can't really afford to keep my boyfriend happy, or hold my ground and risk a row? And is it unreasonable of me to feel a bit insulted on my friend's behalf?

OP posts:
SpiceDad · Yesterday 05:36

He sounds very controlling. He has no right to tell you what to do. This is a huge red flag.

chirrupybird · Yesterday 05:36

TheCurious0range · 26/07/2026 22:22

Why doesn't he understand that if you wanted to have sex with her you would, even if you had separate rooms?

But it's setting up an intimate situation and probably after a few drinks getting into bed with someone you are very fond of. I can see why the bf would be worried that something might happen. Would he be allowed to object if it was a straight male best friend she was getting into bed with? Of course theoretically he should trust the op unconditionally but why push the limits?

Here2talk · Yesterday 05:38

Sadly your friendship won’t be the same again. That’s so hurtful and you’ve basically prioritised your relationship over your friendship. Your BFs opinion is more important than her feelings when you ran to her and told her what he’d said. She will also never fully support this relationship now, even if you did manage to stay friends.

CamillaMcCauley · Yesterday 05:42

DaysOfWild · Yesterday 05:13

And if she had a partner who objected to her sharing a bed with you - another woman (albeit straight) - in that situation, should she be subject to the same name calling and calls to be dumped as the OP's boyfriend?

You raise a good analogy.

Edited

Well in my specific case I’ve known my bestie’s partner twice as long as my bestie herself so I can’t imagine she would have any issue with it! Nor would my partner (male). In fact I’ve slept over in my bestie’s bed after a very large night out before and both of them laughed at the state of us in pics from the following morning.

If my bestie got a new partner who objected to it, I would consider it pretty controlling, yes. It would be up to my friend to decide what to do but I would find it very disappointing if she went along with it, knowing our relationship as I do.

deletealt734 · Yesterday 05:43

OttersOnAPlane · 26/07/2026 22:36

Your boyfriend is being an arse. H can get over himself and his stupid insecurities of he can bugger off.

I think you owe your friend and apology. She must be so hurt.

This

🙄

AliasGracie · Yesterday 05:50

I think it's odd that you always share
a bed on every trip . Sometimes it's easier for convenience or cost, especially when you're young , but always? That's odd. I wouldn't be happy with my OH sharing a bed with a gay friend every time they go away. Why would your gay friend book a double bed rather than a twin ? Or separate rooms?

Do what you want to but it is odd.

StarlightLady · Yesterday 06:02

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 26/07/2026 21:50

This is a family member like a brother or sister. Not an ex, or old friend of the opposite sex. Separate rooms will feel like a rejection or artificial distancing, imo. If I was meeting an old friend like this, and we’d bunked together so many times before, I’d probably end up sleeping in with them anyway, as we’d talk and drink till someone fell asleep!

I think I’d probably prefer to ditch him that her, personally.

This!

l have a few very close girl friends who l share a bed with from time to time when there is no need to do so. For example if they are staying over although l have a spare room. It’s platonic; it’s about closeness warmth and giggles. It’s a friendship bed.

DaysOfWild · Yesterday 06:05

CamillaMcCauley · Yesterday 05:42

Well in my specific case I’ve known my bestie’s partner twice as long as my bestie herself so I can’t imagine she would have any issue with it! Nor would my partner (male). In fact I’ve slept over in my bestie’s bed after a very large night out before and both of them laughed at the state of us in pics from the following morning.

If my bestie got a new partner who objected to it, I would consider it pretty controlling, yes. It would be up to my friend to decide what to do but I would find it very disappointing if she went along with it, knowing our relationship as I do.

Fair enough, at least you're consistent!

I find all this offence at the idea of being prevented from sharing beds with other people's partners (and the prioritising of those feelings over one's life partner) perplexing, but to each her own!

I don't think that the partner who objects to it deserves villification, though. If it's something that's so important to one partner to keep doing despite the fact it upsets the other, it's just a fundamental incompatibility and should result in a break-up.

chaosmaker · Yesterday 06:11

@okiedokieokayy I'd have had a massive go at him about trusting you and why he doesn't

rwalker · Yesterday 06:13

I’m surprised so many people aren’t seeing this as an issue
I’d love to see the thread
husband going away with gay best friend and they’ve booked a double bed

Svelty · Yesterday 06:16

I’ve just been on a girls weekend and shared a bed with gay friend. Never thought twice about it.

I’ve shared a bed before with another gay friend but before she had a partner so I don’t know if that would make any difference to anyone. I doubt it because I’m straight and been friends for 35 years without any hint of her ever being into me!

Lumpycat · Yesterday 06:18

My son is just back from an all boys holiday where he ended up sharing a caravan sized double with the gay lad in their group. Son is straight and has a girlfriend. Neither son’s GF or the group of friends gave it any thought. So they all sound more mature than your BF.

Nobodycares · Yesterday 06:19

So you'd be fine with him sharing a bed with an attractive heterosexual woman, if he said he felt platonic towards her and they'd never had a romantic relationship?

If the answer is yes, push on.

okiedokieokayy · Yesterday 06:21

AliasGracie · Yesterday 05:50

I think it's odd that you always share
a bed on every trip . Sometimes it's easier for convenience or cost, especially when you're young , but always? That's odd. I wouldn't be happy with my OH sharing a bed with a gay friend every time they go away. Why would your gay friend book a double bed rather than a twin ? Or separate rooms?

Do what you want to but it is odd.

It's not odd for us, like I said . and I mean it's clearly not 'odd' for a lot of others on this thread either, so the need to label it that way, when really it's just a case of 'it's a thing I haven't done and wouldn't consider doing', is just you being needlessly judgemental . Different to you isn’t odd

OP posts:
merrymelody · Yesterday 06:26

Apologize to your poor friend, who must be wondering why you’re suddenly uncomfortable sharing a bed with her, and ditch the control freak who doesn’t trust you.

okiedokieokayy · Yesterday 06:30

Nobodycares · Yesterday 06:19

So you'd be fine with him sharing a bed with an attractive heterosexual woman, if he said he felt platonic towards her and they'd never had a romantic relationship?

If the answer is yes, push on.

I’ve been ruminating on this since the argument and his objections, and really yes I think I would if it were a long standing friendship where he assured me on her and the situation were the same , I’d have trusted him and taken him on his word

OP posts:
CanterThroughChaos · Yesterday 06:35

He’s jealous of you going on the trip and being excited about something that doesn’t revolve around him, that’s why he’s throwing barriers in the way. Nip it in the bud and get him in line asap, if he doesn’t change his behaviour immediately then cut him loose and find a more emotionally intelligent partner. And beg your friends forgiveness taking accountability for messing up this bad, he’s homophobic and you have entertained it.

moose62 · Yesterday 06:37

okiedokieokayy · Yesterday 06:30

I’ve been ruminating on this since the argument and his objections, and really yes I think I would if it were a long standing friendship where he assured me on her and the situation were the same , I’d have trusted him and taken him on his word

It's not the same as her boyfriend sharing the bed with a heterosexual female best friend. It is the equivalent of him sharing with a gay best mate.
If you knew your boyfriend was not gay at all, it probably wouldn't bother you!
I would be more insulted that he was assuming that you would be tempted to be unfaithful to him, regardless of who it was with.

Thingsthatgo · Yesterday 06:42

I would share with my lesbian friend and I am fairly sure that DH would be cool with it. I genuinely am unsure how I would feel about him sharing a bed with a gay man though. I suspect I might feel a bit uncomfortable.

AliasGracie · Yesterday 06:46

okiedokieokayy · Yesterday 06:21

It's not odd for us, like I said . and I mean it's clearly not 'odd' for a lot of others on this thread either, so the need to label it that way, when really it's just a case of 'it's a thing I haven't done and wouldn't consider doing', is just you being needlessly judgemental . Different to you isn’t odd

Ok but why purposefully choose to share a bed every time you go away with her?

marbIecake · Yesterday 06:48

Pistachiocake · 26/07/2026 21:55

There's no difference between a long-term, like family, friend depending if they're a man or a woman. So if he had a female friend who was like family to him, and you'd be ok with her sharing a bed with him, then it's fine, because it is the same thing.

No, its not the same at all 🤣

It would be the same as him sharing a bed with a male friend who was gay. Thats the "same".

CamillaMcCauley · Yesterday 06:50

AliasGracie · Yesterday 06:46

Ok but why purposefully choose to share a bed every time you go away with her?

She literally just answered the question. Because they like doing it and don’t consider it odd.

Lightnomore · Yesterday 06:55

Pistachiocake · 26/07/2026 21:55

There's no difference between a long-term, like family, friend depending if they're a man or a woman. So if he had a female friend who was like family to him, and you'd be ok with her sharing a bed with him, then it's fine, because it is the same thing.

It’s not the same thing. OP is not a lesbian. Assuming OP is heterosexual, there is no need for the BF to be worried as she will never be sexually attracted to her friend.

CamillaMcCauley · Yesterday 06:56

DaysOfWild · Yesterday 06:05

Fair enough, at least you're consistent!

I find all this offence at the idea of being prevented from sharing beds with other people's partners (and the prioritising of those feelings over one's life partner) perplexing, but to each her own!

I don't think that the partner who objects to it deserves villification, though. If it's something that's so important to one partner to keep doing despite the fact it upsets the other, it's just a fundamental incompatibility and should result in a break-up.

Totally agree that it should either result in a breakup (or the other partner deciding they can live with it).

“Life partner”? After two years of dating? Maybe I’m jaded but as someone whose had a few multi-year boyfriends and a 10+ year relationship that turned abusive, these days I would put more faith in my best friendships to endure than “life partnerships”, especially as I’ve made the mistake of prioritising the other way in the past.

allthingsinmoderation · Yesterday 07:27

I think your bf is being unreasonable and controlling. He doesn't trust you or your judgement. The only thing that matters here is what you think and what you wan to do.
I can see why your friend may be worried and offended.
I would tell your bf you trust your friend and that you are absolutely comfortable with the sleeping arrangements. Tell your friend you think your bf is unreasonable and you wont be taking his advice.
Is your bf homophobic?