What to Expect Staying
in a European Hotel

Upon arriving at your hotel in Europe, the first thing you’ll want to do is freshen up, relax, and unwind before heading out. Entering your hotel room, you may find yourself surprised by the small size, the difference in beds, or how bathrooms are situated. There are some essential differences between American and European hotel rooms, how they’re laid out, and what they offer, but don’t worry. Overall, while the experience is different, there’s a certain charm to European hotel rooms that you’ll miss when you return home!

What to Expect in Your European Hotel Room

There are many variations between American and European hotel rooms, but the most noticeable are those in the bathroom—let’s begin there!

Room Size

Hotels in Europe are several decades or centuries old; some are archaic structures converted into hotels. They’ll have outstanding amenities and charm, but space isn’t an attribute you’ll find plentiful here. Remodeled buildings have all the trappings of modern hotels, but you’ll have to make do with less space, especially if you’re staying in large cities. European hotel owners are aware of what Americans like, and many have enlarged their rooms, or used creative flair to make the most of smaller rooms.

The smaller the hotel, the larger the rooms. If having the space you're used to is important while abroad, ask travel agents to book a luxury or boutique hotel specializing in spacious accommodations.

Beds

Most European hotels advertise rooms featuring double beds. Don’t be surprised to find this doesn’t mean what you think. European hotel beds are one or two twin beds, depending on what was booked for you. Twin beds are separated by a nightstand, but if you prefer to sleep together, move the nightstand and squeeze the beds together. If moving furniture around is something you’re not interested in, let your travel agent know so they can connect with the right resources to ensure you get a full-sized bed.

European Hotel Elevators

European elevators are tiny. That’s because they were built when elevators just weren’t that big, or because the building was retrofitted to accommodate elevators. Smaller elevators are less likely to have issues because they aren’t carrying 3,000 pounds like elevators in the U.S. Generally, about five people will fit in a lift. If you get claustrophobic, stretch your legs by taking stairs. Rest easy, and relax as you head up to your room or down for a tour. Don't forget though, in the U.S., the first floor of a hotel is the lobby. In Europe, the “first floor” is the first floor of rooms.

European Bathroom Layout, the Bidet, and Hardware…

European bathrooms are beautifully designed with marble and other fine materials not frequently used in America. It isn’t always the case, but you might find that European bathrooms are usually less spacious. If one person needs to brush his/her teeth while the other needs to apply makeup, flip a euro to decide who gets to go first! 

In Europe, bidets are just about everywhere. The bidet is a staple of European culture. This handy bathroom installation is usually next to the toilet. The bidet is a great way to keep things fresh; they’re used so much in Europe you’ll have a hard time spotting a bathroom without one. Don’t be scared to try using a bidet: it’s quite the experience, and one you’ll want to check off your bucket list for sure!

Americans are used to high water pressure showerheads. Water pressure is lower in Europe, and because hotels are eco-friendly, you may also find hot water doesn’t last as long as it does at home—between 5–10 minutes in European hotels. The best plan is to have all your shower gear set up, ready to go before turning the water on. If someone else needs to shower after you, waiting a few minutes will replenish hot water.

Confused by knobs to get the water temperature right? European shower knobs almost always go left for hot water, right for cold. If your shower doesn’t show red for hot and blue for cold, it will show letters. In Spain, you’ll notice “C” for “Caliente,” and “F” for “Frio.” If you’re confused by knobs, the hotel staff is always ready to help at any hour. Before calling the concierge, try swiveling the knob(s) to get desired results for your shower.

Sometimes, European showerheads won’t engage unless you flip a switch, which is disguised as an everyday switch for outlets. Oftentimes, this switch—which electronically controls the temperature and time the shower will run—is located outside the bathroom. The switch may be accompanied by dials to control water temperature. While this system sounds difficult, upon seeing it, you’ll be able to tell how easy it is to use.

Towel Dispensing at European Hotels

You may have already encountered this in some American hotels, but European hotels keep costs down and environmental friendliness up by providing fewer towels, and by not supplying brand new towels every single day. Reuse towels as much as you can, and when you want more towels, simply inform the concierge or hotel staff as the need arises. They are always happy to accommodate you.