Hi there, I will be travelling to Spain with my husband next month and I was wondering if single rooms, always means a single bed or for just one person. There is a big price jump from single to double rooms and I think we can suffer sleeping in a single bed to save money sometimes. Would they even allow 2 people to sleep in a "single" room?? I know it seems like a silly question, but I am curious if anyone knows what the norm is.

thanks!!

Do a search on this board for "cama matrimonial" or "cama de matrimonio" and you'll get all the info you need!

Have a great trip!

I've never stayed anywhere as a "single," but I was under the impression that "single" and "double" just refer to the number of people in the room (because there are other costs than bed linens, such as showers/water use, so two people are automatically more expensive to "house" than one).

Even when my husband and I only used one of the possible beds (and keep in mind, they are often TINY!), we still ended up paying the double rate.

And as Cali suggests, if you want a true DOUBLE bed, you need to request it. Otherwise, don't count on getting one!

A "Single" room is intended for ONE person and will only have a "twin bed", big enough for one person.

You cannot put two persons in a SINGLE room or they'll charge you for a double. If you want a double you'll have to ask for a double. But guess what, they'll likely give you a room with TWO twin (single) beds. This always makes me giggle. SOMETIMES you can be ONE person and take a double room and pay a little less - not always but sometimes.

Saludos, MadridMan

I always specify the type of bed along with the type of room, to avoid confusion. It always works (except at Hostal Playa-see below). You also should always ask to see the room before you commit. (This is anathema to most Americans.) If the hotel/hostal is not full, they will be happy to move you if the room is not to your liking.

When traveling alone, I like to get a "double for single use" because of the bigger beds and rooms. It is not that much more money and they are required by law in most countries to give a discount of around 10% for this. Some will seemingly offer the discount out of the goodness of their hearts, but it is required.

I just got back from a week in Madrid staying at the Aparthotel El Madrono. We had asked for a double and when we entered the room we were disappointed to find a pair of twin beds. We had been informed by the person doing the booking that there were two "full-size" beds in a double. I went back down to reception and quickly changed to a cama matrimonial. Given the price of the room, a pair of twins was a rip-off. Not a place I would highly recommend since I think there are better values, but not a bad location in the Barrio de Salamanca.

ChrisR,
Did it have a kitchen? How much for a twin?
Thanks,

Both the twin we were orginally assigned to and the matrimonial (there was also a twin fold out for our son in each) were the same price. I paid based on a US dollar negotiated rate (a business contact price) which was 104.27 Euros weekends (Friday-Sunday) and 134.45 Euros weekdays (Monday-Thursdays) for the 8 days we were there (this did not include IVA). Included was a nice cold breakfast buffet for two and we paid 3.91 Euros for our son. I've just done a Google search and found similiar rates quoted on some booking sites. The Aparthotel El Madrono is part of the VP Hoteles chain. There is a very small kitchette behind folding doors with a small fridge, microwave, sink and cabinets. Our room was supplied with only a service for two, but we were able to get another set for our son.

I recently stayed in the AC Hotel Avenida America in Madrid. My wife and I got a double and it had one large bed, and her mother requested a single room and also got a regular queen size bed. So, I think this line of hotels only has the full size beds. Just thought I'd tell you my experience with beds.

Thanks for the helpful replies on the single/double room situation. I will be sure to ask for a cama de matrimonio, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if we got twins.
I found a place that is 30 euros/night for a double. The website looked ok, but is it going to be a dive? The hostel is Hostal Tokio. Anyone with stories on this one?