10 Variations Between American and European Accommodations

Earlier than embarking on that long-awaited-for journey to Europe, we’re positive that you just’ve contemplated many features of your journey however have you ever ever thought that there are variations between American and European resorts? If not, we’re right here to arrange you for all of the cultural variations you’ll encounter throughout your subsequent lodge keep in Europe. 

When you’re thrilled in regards to the prospect of touring to Europe and might consider nothing however the buttery croissants you’ll savor in Paris and the cups of excellent cappuccino you’ll sip in Rome, you is perhaps confronted with disappointment when you open your lodge room door after checking in in your first day in Europe. Why? As a result of lodge rooms in Europe are fairly completely different from what you’ve been used to again residence. 

That is certainly not a deal-breaker. It’s all a part of immersing yourselves within the European tradition. Nevertheless, it’s finest to go ready. And who can put together you higher than JayWay? So, with out additional ado, right here’s our record of the largest variations between American and European resorts that you need to think about earlier than the following time you get pleasure from a European trip. 

10 Variations Between American and European Accommodations

1. European lodge rooms are smaller 

House is a precious commodity in Europe. That’s extra evident within the capitals and different main cities relatively than in rural areas. Europeans are used to dwelling in smaller properties and staying in relatively compact lodge rooms. Nevertheless, for People, the scale of the rooms could be a large shock. Particularly, if it’s your first time in Europe. 

Whether or not your lodging in Europe is housed in historic buildings or not, lodge rooms in Europe are typically – so much – smaller than within the US, even inside the identical class regardless if it’s a 3- or 5-star lodge and irrespective of the room fee. Imagine it or not, it’s not unusual for the lodge chains you recognize out of your journeys inside North America to function small rooms on the opposite facet of the pond.

As a tough rule of thumb European lodge rooms up as much as 1/3 smaller than related class rooms within the US, so when you’re used to a 330 sq. ft. entry-level room at a reasonably priced 5 star lodge, the equal class in Europe can be round 220 sq. ft. When you want more room, contemplating transferring up a room class, from customary to superior, or superior to deluxe.

How JayWay helps – we offer approximate room sizes for 95% of all lodge rooms we give as strategies in our customized journey proposals that can assist you make the best selection. You’ll word we stated approximate there. Not all rooms in the identical class may have precisely the identical dimensions. Most resorts in Europe weren’t objective constructed, and plenty of are in historic buildings. There could be a +/- 10% variation in precise sq. ft. However due to our good relationships with resorts, we often get the perfect ones! We’ll additionally information you thru the maze of lodge room names to be sure to get a room you’ll be comfy in.

Or have a look at it this manner: staying in a compact lodge room is all a part of your European expertise. Embrace it and snuggle up! 

2. The beds are additionally smaller

Inevitably, since lodge rooms in Europe are smaller than American lodge rooms, you need to anticipate smaller beds, too. Opposite to most American resorts that usually function two double beds within the room, in Europe you’ll both get one giant mattress or two single beds – generally known as twin beds – pushed collectively. When you ask for a 3rd mattress, it should most likely be a rollaway mattress or a pull-out sofa at a further payment. 

That stated, the perfect resorts in Europe, together with smaller boutique resorts, B&Bs, and guesthouses, exit of their manner to make sure company get pleasure from a snug keep by equipping rooms with high quality mattresses and mattress linen. 

3. You guessed it proper: bogs are smaller, too

Since area is scarce, lodge bogs in Europe are typically on the small facet. Don’t be shocked if it feels as if you’ll be able to contact all rest room partitions from the place you’re standing, with out even stretching your arms too far. You in all probability can. One other factor to bear in mind is that, excluding some 5-star luxurious resorts, chances are high you’ll have a walk-in bathe as a substitute of a tub in your room.

How JayWay helps – one of many issues we pay further consideration to when inspecting resorts is which rooms have bathtubs relatively than bathe cubicles, and we’ll be sure that to transform your preferences to the resorts you choose.

4. Bidets are omnipresent in Southern Europe

Regardless of their lack of ample area, most lodge bogs in Europe’s hotter international locations have one factor in frequent: they function a bidet. When you’ve by no means heard of a bidet earlier than, it’s a form of low sink used to scrub up after utilizing the bathroom. Though not all Europeans really use bidets, it appears that evidently resorts in Europe aren’t prepared to surrender on them. 

5. European showers are not like their US counterparts

To conclude the variations between American and European resorts when it comes to room bogs and now that we’ve established that you just’ll almost definitely have a walk-in bathe than a bath in your room anyway, there are a few issues to bear in mind. 

To begin with, most resorts in Europe have a handheld bathe head. Furthermore, in most European bogs, you gained’t discover bathe curtains however glass doorways as a substitute. Typically, these glass doorways don’t even shut all the best way, rendering showering with out making a multitude of the whole rest room a problem. However don’t fear, the designers have considered that, and the water will drain away.

6. Ground numbers are completely different

One of many variations between American and European resorts that you just might need by no means considered has to do with how flooring are numbered on both facet of the Atlantic Ocean. As you recognize, within the US, a lodge foyer is on Stage 1 and the rooms on the ground proper above the foyer are thought-about to be on Stage 2 (second ground). 

Nevertheless, in Europe, Stage 1 is taken into account the primary ground above the bottom stage. Subsequently, a lodge foyer in Europe is often on Stage 0 and the rooms proper above the foyer occupy the lodge’s first ground. If there’s a stage beneath the foyer, that’s Ground -1.

7. Elevators are tiny or non-existent

Talking of flooring and ranges, we’re delivered to our subsequent part: elevators. In Europe, elevators are often slender and tiny. Typically, they will barely suit you and your baggage. That’s extra true for resorts located in metropolis facilities or housed in historic buildings that have been designed earlier than elevators have been commonplace. 

Looking for area and an environment friendly option to set up elevators in outdated buildings is a big problem as it’s. To not point out how laborious it will be to make these elevators as massive as those you’re in all probability used to within the US. Subsequently, anticipate tremendous small areas in European elevators and, when you’re claustrophobic, you would possibly wish to take the steps as a substitute. 

In any case, a small elevator is healthier than no elevator in any respect. Sure, that might occur, too. When you’re staying in a lodge set in a constructing of nice historic significance, it’s attainable that no elevator might be put in due to laws defending the character of the construction. Subsequently, when reserving your lodging in Europe, at all times double-check if there’s an elevator, particularly when you’re having some form of mobility points.

How JayWay helps – we all know which of the resorts we work with don’t have elevators, and can be positive to not counsel them to you if that’s your choice. We additionally know the idiosyncrasies of the resorts that do have elevators, simply to not all flooring, so we will keep away from conditions the place you would possibly must go up stairs after utilizing the elevator.

8. Incompatible energy shops

Some of the necessary issues to know earlier than touring to Europe is that European international locations differ from the USA when it comes to electrical energy, and extra particularly voltage. To place it in one other – extra useful – manner, a European outlet is extra highly effective than its American counterpart. Which means if you wish to use your individual electrical units, you’ll have to purchase converters for the shops in Europe.

That stated, attempt to convey together with you simply the completely crucial, equivalent to your cellphone charger, and chorus from packing your, say, American hairdryer. Even when you’re utilizing a converter, it’s very doubtless that your US hairdryer will blow a fuse or maintain irreparable injury. Resort rooms in Europe are virtually at all times outfitted with hairdryers. Subsequently, you don’t must convey your individual.

How JayWay helps – in your welcome pack you’ll discover a US to EU plug adapter, so you’ll be able to plug your cellphone or laptop computer charger into the wall. We additionally present an extendable power-only (so no information safety points) USB charging cable with Lightning, micro-USB and USB-C connections, so when you forgot yours, or simply wish to make use of a handily-placed USB socket in your lodge room to maintain your units topped up.

Since we’re as regards to European shops, needless to say not all lodge rooms in Europe may have a socket proper subsequent to the mattress, which might be a problem when you’re used to charging your cellphone whilst you’re sleeping.  

9. Don’t be alarmed by the shortage of alarm clocks

Although it’s customary for US resorts to function an alarm clock subsequent to the mattress, that’s not the case in Europe. As a rule, European lodge rooms don’t have a clock in any respect. Earlier than you get aggravated, suppose twice. Not checking the time is just about the essence of an actual trip, isn’t it?

Nevertheless, generally you’re going to must set an alarm for an early morning tour or flight. In that case, you need to use your smartphone alarm clock or ask the lodge entrance desk to arrange a wake-up name for you.

10. Just a few locations would possibly really feel outdated

European resorts are famend for his or her excessive cleanliness requirements. That stated, the identical can’t be stated for his or her stylistic decisions generally. It’s not unsurprising to discover a lodge room in Europe a bit outdated on your style. A extra elegant time period to explain such lodge rooms could be old style. 

Nevertheless, increasingly resorts embrace extra minimalistic traces and fashionable design after they renovate their rooms so nostalgia-inducing rooms would possibly quickly be a factor of the previous.

Let JayWay Assist You Decide The Finest Accommodations in Europe

The explanation for this text is to arrange you on your journey to Europe by going by way of the primary variations between American and European resorts. But, there’s yet another factor to bear in mind. No matter these variations, issues are quickly altering.

That stated, till every lodge in Europe welcomes these much-needed modifications, relaxation assured that our knowledgeable journey planners will allow you to select the perfect sort of lodge on your itinerary in varied European cities, based on your wants and needs. In spite of everything, as we frequently wish to say, one of the simplest ways to see Europe is with JayWay, and that’s true on your lodging, too.

Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s captivated with journey and storytelling, a mix that makes her splendid for her position as our content material supervisor.