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Why do Americans often not know what a single room is?

Why do Americans often not know what a single room is?

Old Dec 27th, 2008, 01:43 PM
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Like NeoPatrick and mclaurie, I've also come across rooms meant for one person in NYC. But that's the exception rather than the rule.
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Old Dec 27th, 2008, 06:24 PM
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I've always wondered, are Europeans able to sleep in a twin/single bed because they are small, or are they accustomed to sleeping in a fetal position due to lack of ambient heat?
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Old Dec 28th, 2008, 11:25 AM
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European or otherwise, why wouldn't one person be able to sleep in a single bed? There's plenty of room... no need for the "fetal position".

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Old Dec 28th, 2008, 11:36 AM
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A single bed is often exactly 72 inches long (6 feet). If you are anything over 6 feet tall then obviously you can not lay down fully stretched out in it. Sleep on your stomach and your feet hang over the end. Even if you are a little less than 6 feet tall, most people don't like their head actually against the headboard.

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Old Dec 28th, 2008, 03:39 PM
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Agree - a single bed isn't comfortable for anyone over about 5'6" - your feet reach/may hang over the bottom of the bed. In the US these are children's beds.

Most people have a queen or even king in their master bedroom.
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Old Dec 28th, 2008, 04:31 PM
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If you sleep on your back, or toss and turn, there isn't enough width, either.
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Old Dec 28th, 2008, 05:08 PM
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I remember my first stay in a London 3 star hotel. They asked me if I was a single. Thinking they just wanted to know how many people were staying in the room I answered yes. They gave me a tiny room with a bathroom so small you had to sit sideways on the toilet because the bath tub was pressed against it. Don't ever get a "single" room in Europe.
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Old Dec 28th, 2008, 08:21 PM
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Oh, I was thinking of the width!

Obviously I am short
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Old Dec 28th, 2008, 09:29 PM
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I've traveled quite a bit and I've only run across two single rooms - one in Germany and one in Singapore. Both contained single (twin) beds and were laughably small.

I always wondered why a single room was less than half the size of a double.
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Old Dec 29th, 2008, 11:51 AM
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Yes it's best to get a "matrimonial" even if you're not married!!! Unless you are a tiny person.
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Old Dec 29th, 2008, 12:51 PM
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Can anyone tell me whether Hong Kong hotels fall into the tiny bed category?
I am going in April and plan to take my sister.
I dont mind twin beds, we had incredibly luxurious twin beds at the Jumeirah in London last summer... but I do not want to share a small double bed!!!
I think I will be staying at one of the Shangri-La hotels.
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Old Dec 31st, 2008, 06:08 PM
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So now I know! Thx all for the considered replies. It sort of makes sense if the hotel is purpose-built.

I'm just glad that many of the cheaper places to stay in Europe DO have single rooms. Long may it remain so. I have no problem with the size of the bed or the size of the bathroom, and actually PREFER to stay in places that have a story and/or a bit of character instead of somewhere that's in London but could just as easily be in Chicago or Frankfurt or Auckland, etc.

Happy New Year everybody.
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