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Original poster

What is it with tiny beds in holiday cottages

135 replies

AirborneElephant · 19/08/2025 17:35

When there’s clearly plenty of space in the room? Trying to book a UK break in October. We would like a super king, but at the very least need a king. But cottage after cottage is just double beds. Why? And you can’t even easily search for it, although I know I’m not the only one wanting a decent nights sleep.

OP posts:
Fizbosshoes · 19/08/2025 22:30

I've got no idea what friends sleep in. I know family have doubles
.....but MN does not always match my rL experience....

FrightfulCounterHon · 19/08/2025 22:41

Hedonism · 19/08/2025 21:26

I'm not going on holiday somewhere that is less comfortable than my own home (which has a king size bed). See also: camping.

I completely agree - why would I do this?!

mondaytosunday · 19/08/2025 22:41

@soupyspoonbollocks. A king is not much bigger than a double and certainly doesn’t take any more effort to make up.
I can’t even fit a super king in my own house, but in a holiday home a king seems reasonable (I run one, and there are two kings).

DonotdissKarens · 19/08/2025 22:48

I also refuse to book anything without at least a king, preferably super king which is what we have at home. What annoys me is sometimes they don’t specify, but I discount those. I’ve also got very tall adult children so if we go away with them and partners we have to find 3 king rooms. With very tall DS I also look at the photos to check the beds don’t have a base board that sticks up as he can’t sleep comfortably without feet hanging over the edge.

DappledThings · 19/08/2025 23:07

soupyspoon · 19/08/2025 22:12

I dont know anyone with a standard double to be fair

Theres 2 double sizes isnt there? the 4 foot and 4 foot 6.

And a kingsize is 5 foot?

4ft is apparently a "small double". I have a standard double that fits normal doubke sheets.

Currently in a holiday cottage in what I assume is also a standard double. Feels like a normal size bed so I think it is.

Flossflower · 19/08/2025 23:20

NormaSears · 19/08/2025 18:45

XP was taller than 6'4" and the worst beds were the ones with a footboard. He would sleep diagonally.

My husband has exactly the same problem. I have to check there is no footboard.

NormaSears · 19/08/2025 23:32

Flossflower · 19/08/2025 23:20

My husband has exactly the same problem. I have to check there is no footboard.

Show quote history

I'm sleep like a little plank close to the edge of the bed and am not tall. Having someone sleeping diagonally across the bed made it uncomfortable.

He found nearly all hotel beds too short. if he went away with the lads and it was 1 person on a sofa, it would always be him because he was too long for the beds too.

It's something you don't think about unless it affects you.
I take a mirror with me because they're usually too high for me.

TheGreatWesternShrew · 19/08/2025 23:41

Because King and Super king beds, mattresses and sheets etc are a lot more expensive. Duh.

TheGreatWesternShrew · 19/08/2025 23:41

Because King and Super king beds, mattresses and sheets etc are a lot more expensive. Duh.

Berlin2018 · 20/08/2025 07:37

So glad it’s not just me. I have been booking a holiday where we stay in multiple different accommodations. Have had to rule out so many great places because of bed size or because they have a footboard. We have a super king too - you get so used to having the extra space.

NikEik · 22/08/2025 18:38

I’m just back from a holiday let - stunning place, very very spacious living space inside and out, lots of luxurious features & very generous welcome pack/toiletries etc but the beds really let it down… 3 bedrooms all 4’6’’ doubles with creaky bed frames with cheap mattresses and bedding. Thankfully only three of us us so we could have a bedroom each but I think it will stop me rebooking in the future even though loved rest of it, as sleep not great and it was £££. So pleased i didn’t have to share with DH!

soupyspoon · 22/08/2025 22:30

mondaytosunday · 19/08/2025 22:41

@soupyspoonbollocks. A king is not much bigger than a double and certainly doesn’t take any more effort to make up.
I can’t even fit a super king in my own house, but in a holiday home a king seems reasonable (I run one, and there are two kings).

Wow, did you mean to be so rude and aggressive in your reply.

Memberofstaff · 22/08/2025 22:37

A double bed is not "tiny". We've always had a double and it's fine for the two of us (both overweight).

CheeseWisely · 22/08/2025 22:44

Have none of your DH’s got knees? We have a standard double at home because we don’t have space for bigger (it’s also pushed against the wall but that’s because toddler DS often gets in and it’s easier than attaching a guard). DH is 6’3’’ and his feet don’t hang over because he bends his knees. That said, we’re moving soon and will be buying a king, but mostly so we can fit DS in with us instead of one us bailing out to the spare.

Butterflyfern · 22/08/2025 22:45

I think it's just what you're used to.

We sleep in a double, two relatively slim people, and are usually joined by a toddler in the early hours. As long as they don't decide to sleep along the pillows rather than perpendicular to them, we all fit and sleep just fine.

I feel lost in a super king on holiday. Way too big

Squishymallows · 22/08/2025 22:46

Doubles are the fucking pits. We literally won’t do it. Haven’t slept in a double in years. It’s not fit for 2 people

Squishymallows · 22/08/2025 22:48

Have just come back from the loveliest cottage in Wiltshire and the beds were loaf or John Lewis. King size with fabric headboards and feather pillows and duvets. The dream!! Wouldn’t go back to somewhere with insulting quality bedding

asknotwhat · 22/08/2025 22:56

On the contrary, I quite enjoy the luxury of often having a king size bed on holiday, because we sleep in a double at home. A bigger bed is nice, but a double is absolutely fine!

NormaSears · 22/08/2025 23:20

CheeseWisely · 22/08/2025 22:44

Have none of your DH’s got knees? We have a standard double at home because we don’t have space for bigger (it’s also pushed against the wall but that’s because toddler DS often gets in and it’s easier than attaching a guard). DH is 6’3’’ and his feet don’t hang over because he bends his knees. That said, we’re moving soon and will be buying a king, but mostly so we can fit DS in with us instead of one us bailing out to the spare.

Why should he bend his knees? He is longer than the bed, and he has a pillow, same as most people do.
It's the bed that is too short, not him too long.

soupyspoon · 23/08/2025 07:50

CheeseWisely · 22/08/2025 22:44

Have none of your DH’s got knees? We have a standard double at home because we don’t have space for bigger (it’s also pushed against the wall but that’s because toddler DS often gets in and it’s easier than attaching a guard). DH is 6’3’’ and his feet don’t hang over because he bends his knees. That said, we’re moving soon and will be buying a king, but mostly so we can fit DS in with us instead of one us bailing out to the spare.

Thats really not good for him.

WhyAmISoReal · 23/08/2025 07:59

Agree OP. I have a tall DH and he's cramped in a double - we have a King at home and I know he'd love a Super King (can't face replacing bed, mattress and all bedding! ) so I would avoid a double if possible. But as others say, a King is so rare we often have to put up and I know he sleeps badly.

I'm on holiday right now with a King bed and silence outside and it's lovely!

bumbaloo · 23/08/2025 08:05

ObstreperousCushion · 19/08/2025 18:18

I’m always surprised how many people have kingsize beds. We have a double at home (small room), and it’s against a wall as no other options. I think it’s all a question of what you’re used to - but as two average sized, normal weight adults, we find it absolutely fine.

I certainly don’t care about the size of holiday cottage beds. As long as the bedding is clean and the mattress is firm, I’m happy.

Well yes you are happy because you have a small bed at home so it’s no sacrifice!

doubles are really only suitable for one person unless you literally have no choice. I. The summer I couldn’t bear being that close to someone else. Also I move around a lot on my sleep and would disturb my dh too much. He’s like a furnace. Nope. Would never work for me.

plus anyone over 6ft tall struggles in a double as they are only 190cm long so they’d have to be right up against the headboard or gave feel dangling.

anyone over 6’3 which is common these days would be dangling off the end

bumbaloo · 23/08/2025 08:07

CheeseWisely · 22/08/2025 22:44

Have none of your DH’s got knees? We have a standard double at home because we don’t have space for bigger (it’s also pushed against the wall but that’s because toddler DS often gets in and it’s easier than attaching a guard). DH is 6’3’’ and his feet don’t hang over because he bends his knees. That said, we’re moving soon and will be buying a king, but mostly so we can fit DS in with us instead of one us bailing out to the spare.

To have to subconsciously think about how to lie in bed is not healthy

NewsdeskJC · 23/08/2025 08:08

Yanbu. We recently went to a cottage. It was perfect. Except the bed.
It was a double, not even a king. So had a week in a beautiful with not one decent night sleep. Room was huge.

DappledThings · 23/08/2025 08:11

Memberofstaff · 22/08/2025 22:37

A double bed is not "tiny". We've always had a double and it's fine for the two of us (both overweight).

Same. With a dog too. I have never considered a normal double to be a small bed. Only that it is the normal size bed for two adults and a king size etc are extra big ones.