Double vs
 

In perusing home exchange photos in France, many of the bedrooms have what the host calls a "double bed", even in the master bedroom. Would most beds that fit this description be actual double size or might some of them be queen? I can't easily tell by the photo.

We are spoiled with our king, and would much prefer a queen over a true double.

Thanks,
Boots

Accidentally posted before finishing up. Any way to delete post and repost?

You could probably just click on the triangle asking for it to be removed and then just repost in the meantime

Do not expect kings anywhere. Sometimes there will be a twin/convertible to a full sized when pushed together which would be about as large as you will typically find except in very upscale hotels.

It's probably a double, which are much more common in European smaller homes/rooms and hotels. If it had queens, it would probably say so, anyone doing that exchange should be fairly up on what the lingo is.

If you can't tell from the photo if it is a queen or double, ask them and just ask them the size in cm, don't use that lingo. A double would be 140 cm and a queen 160 cm. Now a lot of folks may buy 2 small beds which are typically 90 cm and push them together (you should be able to tell that) and that is more king size. In fact, that's the only kind of king bed I've ever seen in France.

We were unpleasantly surprised once by a double bed in Nova Scotia and had to move mountains (and pay more) to get a king. Once a couple has slept in a king, it is next to impossible to fit into a true double bed. How spoiled we've become!

Now we always book two twins.

Once a couple has slept in a king, it is next to impossible to fit into a true double bed. >>

we rented an apartment in Florida once which had a bed that was so huge I felt positively lonely when I woke up and needed a megaphone to communicate with my DH, he was so far away. I was very happy to return to my cosy double.

The shower was massive too - had we wished [we didn't as we aren't that sort of family] we could have fitted all four of us into it with room to spare.

If you want a king, stay in a Marriott or Hilton. Otherwise, you'll probably get a double.

It will be virtually impossible to find a king bed anywhere in Europe. If your bed is described as a double, it is likely 220 cm X 240 cm.

Ask them for the dimensions.

LOL, annhig. DH and I ended up in a king bed in some hotel we stayed in because a plane was grounded and the airline put us up for the night. I almost used my cell phone to call and find out where he was in the middle of the night.

It's not impossible to find a king bed in Europe. A couple of months ago we spent an emergency night at the Marriott Opera in Paris and definitely had a king bed.

Here's a comparison of sizes

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_size

We are by no means expecting a king size bed in France, but I was at least hoping for a queen. Those few extra inches do make a difference imo.

I almost used my cell phone to call and find out where he was in the middle of the night.>>

our experience was before cell phones, St C, but that's it, exactly. a very unfriendly way to sleep, IME.

Our bed is 180cm wide by 210 long. 210 is the normal length in the Netherlands but I don't think it is normal in the rest of Europe.

Ours has two mattresses because we prefer different degrees of hardness, but a large single mattress is also common.

Much as we like the acreage of our bed we are quite happy with a 140cm bed when on holiday. It's only a couple of weeks after all. DH does prefer a longer bed so his feet don't hang out the end, but he puts up with short beds too for a couple of weeks.

If it is really important to you ask for bed dimensions.

<<A couple of months ago we spent an emergency night at the Marriott Opera in Paris and definitely had a king bed.>>

Yes, in a Marriott or other American-type chain hotel you'll find them, because they cater to Americans. A typical French hotel will not.

As noted, ask for dimensions. "Queen" will likely mean nothing to a French person in the context of beds. If a bed sleeps two people, they are likely to refer to it as a "double" no matter what the dimensions.

Partly it depends on the accommodations, also. In smaller city apts with staircases up to apts, it would be impossible to get a king size mattress up them, which is why if anyone wants that size, they have two of the 90 cm instead. Same for small older hotels, which is all I stay at in Paris.

If you have a big house rather than an old city apt, you can move it in better, of course, if it's one big mattress.

Thank you for your insights. The exact dimensions aren't critical. I was merely curious about the general terms of bed descriptions in France and was hoping that queens might be more widely available.

The last apartment we rented in Paris had a double in the master. It was a bit cramped, but a gentle nudge every now and then redefined the lines of demarcation ;)

Boots

<<I was merely curious about the general terms of bed descriptions in France and was hoping that queens might be more widely available.>>

Which is precisely why I recommended checking dimensions, because in large part you will not find French people even being familiar with the word "queen" in relation to bed size. Knowing the dimensions and comparing them to US dimensions is really the only way you can know if the bed is your desired size or not. You'll need to be familiar with the metric system, though.

No need for specific measurements - that queen size bed isn't in the French vernacular lends clarity.

Thanks again,
Boots