Bed size?
 

My boyfriend and I are trying to decide between 2 twin beds or 1 double. We aren't big, but we do both like to stretch out a bit. Is there more bed room when it is 2 twins pushed together vs a double?

I'm not sure about the size difference but I hate 2 twins pushed together because there is a big gap in between and that annoys me. Just something to think about.

Often in older European hotels, the double bed IS two singles made up as one. The hotelkeeper has flexibility to sell the room as either double or twin, and adjusts according to customer demand.

Speaking as someone in the guest accommodation business, a big double (king size) is often two twin beds put together. You would barely detect it however.

Two twins = 3ft x 2= 6ft wide
one double = 4ft 6 in

I'd choose the twins as my DH is 6ft 4 and we don't fit in a double!

Sometimes you can't push 2 twins together (fixed headboard with nightstand in between).

A very long time ago I remember pushing 2 twin beds together in Ecuador. The following morning they were separated by the cleaning staff even though we were staying 3 nights so being bold I asked why and was told the floor wouldn't support the weight of two beds in the centre of the room, yikes! At least that's what I think she said

a 'double' will be narrower than 2 twins linked together. And generally they aren't just pushed together so there isn't much of a gap.

I'd check with the hotel on the actual size of the 'double' bed. I've most frequently encountered the standard European size 4ft 6"

I think you can assume that two twins pushed together will almost always be larger than what is called a double bed. However, sometimes those "twins" that are pushed together are not really the same size as a normal twin bed (at least what is that size in the US). IN fact, they often deliberately choose smaller beds if they intend to push them together. It should end up being as big as a queen or usually king, though. But half a king size bed is smaller than a normal twin, that's my point (ie, 90 cm would be a small bed used to make a king which is 180 cm, but a normal single bed should be more like 110-120 cm).

Many hotel beds in europe are smaller. Most are doubles, few are queens (which they call king) and I have seen a real king only a few times in an upscael hotel and yu definitely pay more.

We always go for the biggest bed they have - never a double - since we are both tall and many beds seem minis to us (but we do have all real kings at home).

The hotel we are looking at has 2 twins, and they are together, with a headboard/nightstand set up like it is one bed. The hotel says they are the same size, but I'm still thinking 2 twins has to be a bit bigger than a double, doesn't it?

The twins might be 'small single beds'. What country are you staying in? Ask the hotel for the width of the bed/beds. Sometimes 2 twins = 1 double!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_siz..._Ireland_sizes

This wiki article has bed sizes over the whole of Europe and there are no standard European sizes!

In France
a single is usually 90x190 cm
a double is 140x190
a queen is 160x200
So two twins put together should be wider - 180 cm. but shorter, at 190.

I find a double or queen more comfortable though, as you feel as if you have more room than in one narrow bed. And older hotels may have narrower beds. You could ask for dimensions.

Our bed is two singles to make a double, as is normal here - each bed is 90cm wide and 220cm long.

The main problem in France is often not the width of the bed but the length of it. They tend to be rather short. I would check with the hotel if size is really important to you.

That Wiki article refers to Ikea sizes - Ikea make extra long beds especially for the Dutch.

het, the Wiki article provides IKEA sizes in addition to the traditional size and mentions that IKEA beds are longer.
We have bought IKEA beds in the UK and had no problem getting extra long sheets to fit them in French supermarkets so the longer beds must be pretty common in France.
Having said that we did get a short bed at the apartment in Paris we stayed in last summer!