Sharing a bathroom
 

I've discovered while getting prices on accomodations in Italy that there is a big difference in the price of a room with private bath as opposed to a shared bath. I have never shared a bathroom before(other than with family). Could you please tell me what you think?

It's a total crapshoot, pardon the pun.<BR>You may never encounter a problem, but you may be sharing with someone who has a bad case of &quot;travel&quot; problems. What if he or she stays in there for an hour or more when you really need to go? What about the person who gets sick and throws up and you are the next one in? Maybe the people you share with will be neat and tidy, maybe they will be slobs. What if five people are sharing and you get delayed for an hour and a half in the morning when you have a train to catch? What if you have to go in the middle of the night and end up standing in the hall for half an hour because it is in use? <BR><BR>No, it isn't for me.

Never had problem and saved a lot of money. If it is dirty the hotel will take care of it, and people in hotel usually want to go out and visit not staying in the bathroom... You could find a room with w.-c. and share the shower, it is more expensive but you still save money.

I have done it for one night stays and it was fine. I rather have private facilities if I am staying longer.

I won't even share a bath with my husband at home . For a few weeks I can manage with him , but I certainly don't want to share with strangers! I'd rather cut a trip short by a day or so and spend the money on en suite. Also, if the urge hits, do you really want to walk down the hallway at 3 am?

As mentioned, it really is a crapshoot...<BR><BR>Each time I've shared a bathroom, I've gotten lucky. I never even saw (or smelled) the person I shared the bathroom with! <BR><BR>The thing I don't like is when you have to go the bathroom in the middle of the night. I also don't leave my toiletries in the bathroom, so it's a minor inconvenience taking the stuff in and out. <BR><BR>If the room has a small sink in it, I find it much better...then you really only need to go to the bathroom for showers and calls of nature. <BR><BR>So if you're an easy going person, go for it. I'll be sharing bathrooms (hostels) for the next two months, so as you can see, I think the savings is worth it (but I'm kinda poor right now...)

wow... i had no idea people were so picky about this type of thing.<BR>most people in hotel are really pretty considerate when they know that other people are sharing the bathroom they are using.<BR>and i haven't stayed in a hotel yet that had communal bathrooms but not a sink in each room.<BR>from what i know, that's pretty standard.<BR>one trip i went on, it felt like the bathroom was mine, it just happened to be down the hall from my room. i never saw anyone else in it.<BR>this was in italy. <BR>i found the price difference to be very helpful, as i had more money to spend on other stuff, like delicious italian cuisine and a nice pair of boots. <BR>do it!<BR>if you don't like it, just don't do it next time you travel..<BR>might as well try everything once!<BR>plus.. to reply to a comment another poster made..<BR>if the bathroom nearest your room is occupied.. just go to the next closest one.. it's not like they have one bathroom for the whole hotel!<BR>just because it's nearest your room, doesn't mean that's the only one you can use.

wow... i had no idea people were so picky about this type of thing.<BR>most people in hotel are really pretty considerate when they know that other people are sharing the bathroom they are using.<BR>and i haven't stayed in a hotel yet that had communal bathrooms but not a sink in each room.<BR>from what i know, that's pretty standard.<BR>one trip i went on, it felt like the bathroom was mine, it just happened to be down the hall from my room. i never saw anyone else in it.<BR>this was in italy. <BR>i found the price difference to be very helpful, as i had more money to spend on other stuff, like delicious italian cuisine and a nice pair of boots. <BR>do it!<BR>if you don't like it, just don't do it next time you travel..<BR>might as well try everything once!<BR>plus.. to reply to a comment another poster made..<BR>if the bathroom nearest your room is occupied.. just go to the next closest one.. it's not like they have one bathroom for the whole hotel!<BR>just because it's nearest your room, doesn't mean that's the only one you can use.<BR><BR>have a great trip!<BR>you will love italy.

Could we combine this thread with the one about unpacking suitcases and catching lice from drawers as it relates to staying in cheap hotels as opposed to top hotels? They seem highly related.

<BR>xxx.that is what I say! if I don't share at home, why should I with a bunch of strangers????<BR>You know when you go to a public toilet and use paper before you sit and wash your hands and all those precautions? How would you manage sharing a bathroom in a hotel? <BR>There are just some things that are not worth the bargain! I will pay extra and have a clean private bathroom.

I have stayed at two places (one in Venice (2 star) and one in Florence (bed and breakfast). I saved about $60.00 total each stay by sharing the bathroom. The B&amp;B in Florence was shared by 2 other rooms; the 2-star hotel in Venice I am not sure (I had a sink in the room). I must say, while I wouldn't do it again, I was not turned off. I was fortunate the management kept a dutiful eye on the facilities and I was never disappointed. Both were truly spotless. However, if you are not really too desperate on saving money or feel it is not worth it, then do get your own bathroom. It's just the best thing to do; if the place is rather small, then sharing isn't that bad, but if it's in a hotel (and some hotels that are rather large in Florence do give the option for some rooms to share a bathroom), I would say ABSOLUTELY NOT! Pay the extra for your own bathroom and cut down on costs elsewhere, like sit down meals in restaurants. Go to a local market, store, deli, etc. and get some take out food (always good in Italy) and eat it outside (weather permitting) or back in your room (you can bring plastic cutlery in your luggage). You will have saved money, time and the difference would pay for your own private bathroom -- even though I had good experiences, I'm rather sure I was lucky. Additionally, the take out food can be better than a restaurant!

<BR><BR>Never had a problem sharing a bathroom and am amused by those who do.

Oh, you men know that you use the in room sink as a urinal. You don't fool us.

Hey xxx: how dare you talk about your father like that? Please don't insult men like that. We're not all like that, you know. Get real!

Hey, as long as you rinse the sink afterwards, it is ok.

On many trips to europe, I have gone the shared bathroom route and I can honestly say it was never a problem and a LOT cheaper. If you are concerned at a place - ask to see the facilities and ask how many people are sharing. Most places I stayed at provided a private sink in your room and the toilet and shower/bath facilities were often separate from each other - very nice if you like a long bath and do not want to interfere with someone's call of nature.

I've done this before shared with four other strangers. What I found annoying is when you have to take a shower in the morning and someone else is taking a shower, and then there are others who are next in line. Also in the evening when you want to clean up before dinner or bed. It really sets you back off schedule. Also you get a wet bathroom with a sickingly wet floor towel if you're not the first to use the shower. Then there is the problem of walking out from the shower to your room, and of course needing to use the toilet when someone is taking a half hour shower. Another thing is the smell after someone uses the toilet. <BR>I would only do it again if my room was next door and I was only sharing it with one other person, and only staying for 1-2 nights. It still would have to be major savings, though. An extra $10 a night, I would get my own bathroom.

Thanks to everyone who has replied. Who would think that there could be that much concern over a bathroom?! The place I'm considering stayin at in Venice is a 3 room B&amp;B. One room has a private bath, the other two share a bath. I don't know if there is a sink in each room. Thats a very good question for me to ask. I wouldn't have thought of it! Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who has replied. Who would think that there could be that much concern over a bathroom?! The place I'm considering stayin at in Venice is a 3 room B&amp;B. One room has a private bath, the other two share a bath. The price difference between the two rooms is $30/night. I don't know if there is a sink in each room. Thats a very good question for me to ask. I wouldn't have thought of it! Thanks!

Actually, I enjoy the shared bathroom and purposely try to stink the place up just to see the wrinkle faced shudder on the lady whose next! Call me irresponsible.