12 Variations Between American and European Accommodations

Earlier than embarking on that long-awaited-for journey to Europe, we’re positive that you simply’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 may consider nothing however the buttery croissants you’ll savor in Paris and the cups of very good 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 house. 

That is on no account a deal-breaker. It’s all a part of immersing yourselves within the European tradition. Nonetheless, it’s greatest to go ready. And who can put together you higher than JayWay? So, with out additional ado, right here’s our checklist of the largest variations between American and European resorts that it’s best to contemplate earlier than the following time you take pleasure in a European trip. 

12 Variations Between American and European Accommodations

1. European lodge rooms are smaller 

House is a priceless commodity in Europe. That’s extra evident within the capitals and different main cities reasonably than in rural areas. Europeans are used to dwelling in smaller properties and staying in reasonably compact lodge rooms. Nonetheless, for Individuals, the scale of the rooms is usually a big 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 usually – rather a lot – smaller than within the US, even inside the identical class regardless if it’s a 3- or 5-star lodge and regardless of the room charge. Imagine it or not, it’s not unusual for the lodge chains you understand out of your journeys inside North America to characteristic small rooms on the opposite facet of the pond.

As a tough rule of thumb, European lodge rooms are as much as 1/3 smaller than comparable 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 might be round 220 sq. ft. When you want more room, contemplating shifting up a room class, from commonplace to superior, or superior to deluxe.

How JayWay helps – we offer approximate room sizes for 95% of all lodge rooms we give as solutions in our customized journey proposals that can assist you make the best selection. You’ll notice we mentioned approximate there. Not all rooms in the identical class may have precisely the identical dimensions. Most resorts in Europe weren’t purpose-built, and lots of are in historic buildings. There is usually a +/- 10% variation in precise sq. ft. However due to our good relationships with resorts, we often get the most effective ones! We’ll additionally information you thru the maze of lodge room names to be sure to get a room you’ll be snug 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, it’s best to count on smaller beds, too. Opposite to most American resorts that usually characteristic 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 is going to most likely be a rollaway mattress or a pull-out sofa at a further price. 

That mentioned, the most effective resorts in Europe, together with smaller boutique resorts, B&Bs, and guesthouses, exit of their approach to make sure visitors take pleasure in a cushty 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 usually 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 most likely can. One other factor to remember is that, excluding some 5-star luxurious resorts, chances are high you’ll have a walk-in bathe as an alternative 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 reasonably than bathe cubicles, and we’ll make 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 nations have one factor in frequent: they characteristic 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 truly use bidets, evidently resorts in Europe aren’t prepared to surrender on them. 

5. European resorts don’t provide washcloths

Bidets is perhaps omnipresent in Europe, however the identical can’t be mentioned about washcloths. Regardless that it’s customary to have a washcloth ready for you alongside your set of contemporary, fluffy towels in US resorts, in Europe, it’s extraordinarily uncommon to remain at a lodge that gives washcloths. Due to this fact, when you really feel you’ll be able to’t do with out your washcloth for just a few days, you may need to pack one or two of your individual in your journey to Europe.

6. European showers are not like their US counterparts

To conclude the variations between American and European resorts by way of room bogs and now that we’ve established that you simply’ll most probably have a walk-in bathe than a bath in your room anyway, there are a few issues to remember. 

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

7. Ground numbers are completely different

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

Nonetheless, in Europe, Stage 1 is taken into account the primary flooring above the bottom stage. Due to this fact, a lodge foyer in Europe is often on Stage 0 and the rooms proper above the foyer occupy the lodge’s first flooring. If there’s a stage beneath the foyer, that’s Ground -1.

8. Elevators are tiny or non-existent

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

Looking for area and an environment friendly strategy to set up elevators in previous buildings is a large problem as it’s. To not point out how onerous it could be to make these elevators as massive as those you’re most likely used to within the US. Due to this fact, count on tremendous small areas in European elevators and, when you’re claustrophobic, you may need to take the steps as an alternative. 

In any case, a small elevator is best than no elevator in any respect. Sure, that would occur, too. When you’re staying in a lodge set in a constructing of nice historic significance, it’s doable that no elevator will be put in due to laws defending the character of the construction. Due to this fact, when reserving your lodging in Europe, all the time 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 might be positive to not recommend them to you if that’s your desire. We additionally know the idiosyncrasies of the resorts that do have elevators, simply to not all flooring, so we are able to keep away from conditions the place you may must go up stairs after utilizing the elevator.

9. Incompatible energy shops

One of the essential issues to know earlier than touring to Europe is that European nations differ from the USA by way of electrical energy, and extra particularly voltage. To place it in one other – extra useful – approach, a European outlet is extra highly effective than its American counterpart (220v vs 110v). The sockets are additionally completely different – the 2 flat pins of a US plug received’t match into the 2 spherical holes of a European socket. Which means that if you wish to use your individual electrical units, you’ll have to purchase converters for the shops in Europe.

That mentioned, attempt to carry together with you simply the completely needed, corresponding to your cellular phone, pill, or laptop computer charger (examine that the facility provide signifies that it’s going to auto-switch between 110 and 220v). Positively chorus from packing your curling iron or hairdryer. Even when you’re utilizing a converter, it’s very doubtless that any US equipment with a heating aspect will blow a fuse or maintain irreparable harm. Lodge rooms in Europe are nearly all the time outfitted with hairdryers. Due to this fact, you don’t need to carry 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 telephone 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, when you forgot yours, or simply need to make use of a handily positioned USB socket in your lodge room to maintain your units topped up.

Since we’re as regards to European shops, remember that not all lodge rooms in Europe may have a socket proper subsequent to the mattress, which will be a difficulty when you’re used to charging your telephone proper subsequent to you as you sleep. Professional journey tip: cost your telephone away out of your mattress – you’ll sleep higher, essential when adjusting to a brand new timezone.

10. Don’t be alarmed by the dearth of alarm clocks

Regardless that it’s commonplace for US resorts to characteristic 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, assume twice. Not checking the time is just about the essence of an actual trip, isn’t it?

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

11. A couple of locations may really feel outdated

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

Nonetheless, increasingly resorts embrace extra minimalistic strains and fashionable design once they renovate their rooms so nostalgia-inducing rooms may quickly be a factor of the previous.

12. Air con in Europe doesn’t go as little as within the US

In contrast to Individuals, Europeans are inclined to keep away from turning on the air-con. In the event that they do, they may set it at a average temperature. It’s because most Europeans – particularly these residing in Central and Northern Europe – grew up with none air-con in anyway. It additionally has to do with Europeans being aware of the environmental trade-off of air-con.

This love-hate relationship Europeans have with air-con is mirrored in resorts throughout Europe. In some uncommon circumstances, a lodge room may not have air-con in any respect, significantly these in colder climates just like the Baltic states or the Swiss mountains. However relaxation assured that, when you inform us AC is crucial to you, JayWay will be sure to have a pleasant air-conditioned room to attend for you on the finish of a full day of sightseeing. That mentioned, remember that the air-con in your room will most likely not have the ability to attain the temperatures you’re used to at house due to native environmental rules.

Let JayWay Assist You Choose The Finest Accommodations in Europe

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

That mentioned, till each lodge in Europe welcomes these much-needed modifications, relaxation assured that our professional journey planners will make it easier to select the most effective kind of lodge in your itinerary in numerous European cities, in accordance with your wants and needs. In any case, as we frequently wish to say, the easiest way to see Europe is with JayWay, and that’s true in your lodging, too.

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