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.

I am not super fussy but I've had two gross experiences sharing a hotel bathroom that linger in my mind some 20 years later. Ugg! One was at a dump on Ebury St. and one at the YWCA, both in London. Before those experiences, I used to lose patience with Americans and their private bathroom requirements, but not anymore.

<BR><BR>Keep talking about how horrible shared baths are. Spread the word, tell everyone! It just means less competition for those of us who don't mind less expensive rooms which share a bath.

Here's an interesting article on the subject: http://www.msnbc.com/news/793417.asp

<BR>Thank you, Anon, good article. <BR><BR>The author makes the point that because places with shared baths are &quot;shunned by the great majority of all international travelers&quot; that places with shared baths &quot;must charge low rates—often a quarter the level of the standard hotel—to attract their clientele.&quot;<BR><BR>And I'm fine with that. So keep on shunning, all you international travelers!

I have stayed in several pensions, B and Bs, etc in Europe without private baths and I have never had a problem. In many of the good ones a bathroom is only shared by 2,3 or 4 rooms and you have a sink in your room. Do your research. Ask the hotel how many rooms to a bathroom. Ask if the shower and toilets are separate. The savings are almost always more than the $10 a night a previous poster mentioned. I often find you can save $40-50 a night. I would much rather spend the money on extra sight seeing or a really great dinner that lasts hours, than think &quot;boy I'm glad I have an en suite&quot; for that one trip to the bathroom a day in my room.<BR>

Anyone who's gone to summer camp, or been on a religious retreat, or worked in an office, or lived in a college dorm, or attended a large house party has shared a loo with strangers. People who've never experienced any of the above seem sheltered to me, but - it's your money, spend it how you will.

Topping this for Jaime....

Take some clorox babywipes and wipe the toilet and bath and sink off. No problem. Oh and the doorknobs too...that's what I am going to do for my backpacking trip..

My guess is that anybody who doesn't understand why others insist on a private bathroom, has never experienced any of the following:

1) oversleeping and having to take a quick shower, shower, etc. and catch a train without having to wait for someone else to finish in the common bathroom.
2) never gotten sick in the middle of the night and had to stand in the hall waiting for someone else to finish.
3) never experienced using a common bathroom after someone who had a major intestinal emergency, or had just thrown up.
4) never been annoyed by trying to take a reasonable amount of time and having someone outside knocking repeatedly on the door.

When we werevery young we couldn't afford ensuite facilities and shared the bath.

Now that we are older and richer we go for ensuite. We also go 1st cl on trains.

A shared bath in a hotel is nothing like shared bath facilities in college dorms, camps etc. First of all, in the latter you know who you're sharing with - they're not random strangers off the street. Second, there is no waiting - when you have 6 or 7 showers, sinks and toilet stalls in a row what you need is always free. Third, with a camp or college dorm there is always someone checking/responsbile for clenliness on a regular basis.

Given the state of toilets in even upscale restaurants and department stores (not to speak of airports - ugh!) I would never risk sharing a bath with other random members of the public.

The farther East you travel the less there is a concern about 'sanitary facilities'. I think McDonald's has done much to bring the world up to USA plumbing standards. It was not long ago, and it may still be, when much of rural America enjoyed outdoor privies and Saturday night tubs. I have never heard of a health problem associated with sharing sanitary facilities. I have read of bizarre activities in filling station toilets. Ask any cleaner about strange behaviors and results. A small percentage of people are not properly trained. Most if not all tourists are. Practical..Check the WC before you decide to eat in that restaurant. Plumbing is expensive! Imagine what it costs to clear New York of the days waste. There are now theories that we will drown in our own wastes. Population is growing and the infrastructure is static.

Just two points - &quot;when much of rural America enjoyed outdoor privies and Saturday night tubs&quot; was abut a hundred years ago. And in that time the life span of the average American has increased from about 45 yeasr to about 80 years. The two major reasons for this increase are 2) the invention of antibiotics and 1) the adoption of standard cleanliness/handwashing procedures.

One of the chief causes of bad outcomes in hospitals is nosocomial infections - which the patient picks up in the hospital usually due to improper handwashing by the staff. Are you willing to assume your fellow guests are cleaner than hospital staff members?