Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

What is a French bed / French size bed?

Search

What is a French bed / French size bed?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 22nd, 2005, 04:52 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What is a French bed / French size bed?


I'm looking for a cheap airport hotel for 4 people in Frankfurt, and I am coming across rooms that have "french size bed". What the heck is that!?
Woyzeck is offline  
Old Jan 22nd, 2005, 04:57 AM
  #2  
rex
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A double bed. Though some insist that there is a "slightly-narrower-than-a-standard-double" that gets called a "French" bed, I think this must be very rare.

When in doubt, ask for the dimensions of the bed. Hoteliers are very accustomed to giving this information. They know it off the top of their heads, and will not have to "go measure".

Best wishes,

Rex
rex is offline  
Old Jan 22nd, 2005, 05:15 AM
  #3  
sandi
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
... and they'll probably give you the size in metres, so be prepared to convert.

If it is indeed smaller than a double which is 54" wide, it might be what is considered a 3/4-bed* in the States at 46" wide.

*rarely found except some hotels in the States; for home use on special order.
 
Old Jan 22nd, 2005, 05:20 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My understanding of it is that the bed is close to that of what I call a double bed.
That is, one smaller by several inches in width than a queen bed.

To be on the surer side, I normally ask for a twin. Two single beds. We are both tall and tend to sprawl so that one of those normal double beds is too small for comfort. I guess if I were being shot at in Iraq I would think it was pure luxury.

Not wanting to stir up a fight, but our guys over there don't have it easy.
brookwood is offline  
Old Jan 22nd, 2005, 05:30 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you get metric measurements:
140 cm. wide is a double bed (OK but not at all roomy)
160 cm wide is a queen
180 cm wide is a king

190 cm long is too short if you're over 5'11 tall (says DH)
200 cm long is fine if you're under 6'2
210 cm long is recommended if you're taller (these are hard to find, though!)
jenviolin is offline  
Old Jan 22nd, 2005, 06:22 AM
  #6  
ira
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi W,

A hotel recently sent me this information

"...a French queen size (140/185cm),.."

ira is offline  
Old Jan 22nd, 2005, 06:23 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,858
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would also ask specific dimensions in that case if you intend this bed for two people. My impression from hotel info and other rentals I've read is also that it is usually smaller than a regular double-sized bed (which is about 6" smaller than a queen--double and queen beds are about 54" vs. 60&quot. I've sen that term used by German, Austrian or Swiss hoteliers, mostly. I've never seen that term used in France, actually, although I think someone on here recently said a French hotel talked about a French-size bed -- I wondered if that could have been a hotel that was owned by another nationality, though. I think it's a term used by hotels meant to make a small bed sound better or to fool people, but when size was quoted, I've seen anything between 115 cm to 140 cm called a French-sized bed. 120 cm would be pretty small for two people (about 47 inches).
Christina is offline  
Old Jan 22nd, 2005, 06:25 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I was under the impression that the term indicated something about the split-bed orientation (like two singles shoved together). Don't know where I picked up that info, maybe in a dream. Feel free to ignore or inform. J.
jmw44 is offline  
Old Jun 26th, 2005, 03:08 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A french size bed in France is comfortable for 1 person. We always ask for 2 beds, and even sometimes have to take 2 rooms. It's about 1,40 or, if big 1,50 meters wide. They are terrible.
Gaia is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kwren
Europe
27
Jul 17th, 2006 03:30 AM
nukesafe
Europe
13
Apr 10th, 2006 02:25 AM
zoecat5
Europe
7
Apr 20th, 2005 07:02 PM
iwritenews
Europe
10
Apr 20th, 2005 02:22 PM
StephenG
Europe
9
Jul 19th, 2004 09:34 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -