Double Bed Size
 

Does anyone know the dimensions of a typical double bed in the UK? Are some rooms listed as a double really just two twin beds pushed together. After many years of sleeping in a large bed we are worried that a double may be uncomfortable for us.

I'm pretty sure "double bed" is a pretty standard size, in the US & UK. If you're worried about not having enough space, and not too interested in romance, you could just get a twin (2 single beds), so you each have your own space.

The standard "double" in the UK is 4'6" wide. I guess just over 6' long. A UK "king" is 5' and the Super King is about a U.S. king size.

Yes, many UK hotels that say the room has a double bed mean just that...a 4'6" double. Best to ask if that double really is a king or super king.

http://www.here-be-dreams.com/bedroom/bed-sizes.html

A double bed in the UK is the same as in the US -- normally about 54 inches wide and 72 inches long. Sometimes what a hotel calls a double room has two single beds pushed together. This will normally be about 60 inches wide, the same as the width of a normal queen in the US, but not having the extra 6 inches in length that our Queen beds have. Someimes it will be two twins pushed together (note the difference in twins and singles -- a single is usually about 30 inches wide and a twin is usually about 37 to 38 inches wide). When you have two twins pushed together it equals the overall width of a standard KING in the US, not to be confused with a California King.

Usually in the UK as in most of Europe you will get one of those configurations. The equivalent to a US Queen or King bed including the extra length is rare except in American chains found in Europe and sometimes very upscale European hotels.

I hope that helps?

Friends of mine, who are both tall & can't sleep in a standard double, always ask for a king - or if that's not available, they go for twin beds.

If you are used to a large bed you will not want to sleep in a "double". When in doubt it is really safer to ask for a twin room, i.e. 2 beds. You can always ask upon check in if anything else is available and then go look at it before saying ok. Remember, most hotels will not guarantee any particular kind of bed arrangment, smoking/non-smoking, high floor/low floor, etc. It is all done on a "request" basis.

Thanks to all of you for your responses. I think a twin setup is the way we will go.