I'm told that most European hotels will only allow two people to stay in a room so that families of four like mine must pay for two rooms. Is this right?

I think it must depend on the hotel. When researching hotels for my trip to Italy some hotels listed rooms in accordance to how many people in the party. Doubles, triples or quads, priced accordingly. The doubles would be for 2 people with one double bed or 2 twins, the triples being a double bed and a twin, and so on.

Not necessarily. It really depends on the hotel. Most hotels only offer doubles, but there are some that offer triples and quads also. You need to check w/ the individual hotels. <BR><BR>Also keep in mind that when European hotels say triple or quad, sometimes they cram another bed or two into a double. Check w/ the individual hotel. Overall, though, I've had good experiences w/ European hotels w/ triple rooms - they've been larger than the standard double.

marc: You can find larger rooms, triples or quads are available in some hotels. Or even a suite. Another good alternative is to rent an apartment. Apt rentals usually are required for a week, however may find some for shorter periods of time.<BR>

It is a matter of the size of the room. Assuming you are coming from the US, the European hotel rooms are generally smaller and not possible to put two queens or a queen and two single beds in one room.<BR>We have travelled in 3s and 4s. Most hotels has few rooms that can put 3 people. When we travel in 4s, it really limited the number of hotels. About half of the time, we had to get two rooms. It is not a big difference if you are staying at B&Bs since the cost is more per person.

Most hotels have at least a couple of triple or quad rooms. In addition, we have often stayed in suites with two double rooms sharing a common hallway. Because the number of these rooms is small by comparison to the usual singles and doubles, though, they tend to book up farther in advance, so it's wise to call far ahead of time.

marc<BR>the main problem is that many European hotels rooms are quite small compared to the American average, and therefore there is only occasionally enough space for a room that is normally for two, to accommodate another bed or two. Rooms in budget-minded hotels are especially likely to be small.<BR><BR>When you inquire mention both the number of people and the sort of beds you want. Example, if there are 2 spouses and two kids, then say you want to accommodate your family of 4, with one large bed and two single beds.<BR>The hotel will let you know what room alternatives they have to offer.<BR><BR>

Quad rooms are available but tend to be expensive and rare.<BR>Chains which tend to have American style room set-ups are Novatel, Holiday Inn and some Hiltons. You lose a lot of the European flavor and the locations tend to be less than ideal but it is often cheaper than two rooms.<BR>Most hotels will have a deal and give you two rooms @ the single rate or give you half off the second room.

Sometimes quads are also referred to as family rooms or famiy suites. Some hotels may only have 1 or 2 such rooms and they may not mention it on their websites or in booking services. From my experience, I've emailed or called hotels directly I'm interested in and ask if they can accomodate a family of 4. Many times they can, either 1 big room, a 2 room suite or 2 adjoining rooms. We've stayed in quads in Paris, Amsterdam and various locations in Italy.

Also want to add that the hotels we have found were not chain, american-style. They were for the most part, small and charming. European hotels do tend to have smaller rooms than typical American, but generally room sizes vary in these smaller hotels so they set aside 1 or 2 larger rooms for triples and quads.

My husband, myself and our 12 yr old son stayed in the same room throughout Itlay for 2 weeks. Most of the time it was a room equipped with a queen bed and a twin. In Venice, they just rolled a bed in for him. You have to tell them upfront, when making the reservations, because those rooms may be limited.

Hi Marc<BR>I have the same situation - we have 2 kids (ages 10 & 7) and are taking them with us to Paris & on to Germany/Switzerland. It is a challenge finding quad rooms, but it can be done! In Paris I found several:<BR>Hotel de l'Odeon<BR>Hotel du Levant<BR>Hotel Saint Paul (6e)<BR>Hotel Belloy<BR>In Germany (Triberg area) Hotel Gasthof Josen; (Rothenburg) Goldener Griefen; Neuschwanstein (Hotel Mueller). In Switzerland we are renting 1/2 of a Swiss Chalet in Lauterbrunnen for $59/night! It takes perseverence, but it can be done! Good luck!

We've had no trouble with finding rooms for four ADULTS in England, Northern Ireland, France and Italy (only places we've needed them). When I look for hotels, I look for ones that offer triples (which they sometimes can add a bed to) or quads, and they are pretty easy to find. <BR><BR>Just ask the hotel before you book; and most of all, don't book a room for two people then try to sneak in four (not that you would, but *some* people would). <BR><BR>In some cases (like our usual Paris hotel), the rooms are packed with beds with no room for even dancing around the truth; in Venice, we had a ballroom. <BR>