Generally speaking, hotels have a lot more suites with one bed than with two beds. In fact, many hotels don’t have any suites with two beds. The reasoning is quite simple — generally if you can afford to splurge on a suite, you’re not looking to split a room with someone (of course there are exceptions, but that’s the logic).
I almost always travel alone, so I don’t put much thought into bed arrangements. I’m weird because I don’t actually necessarily prefer a king bed over two double beds, even when traveling alone. It’s nice to be able to nap in one bed during the day, and then still have a nicely made up bed when you go to sleep at night. Or if you frequently decline housekeeping (as I do), then it means you get a “fresh” bed more often.
But on my current trip with my dad I’ve run into an interesting situation I’ve never faced before. I’ve ordered rollaway beds at our hotels, and I’ve been fascinated by the variance in price.
Westin Singapore rollaway bed
At the Park Hyatt Dubai, there was no charge for a rollaway bed. At the St. Regis Singapore and Westin Singapore the cost was 117SGD (94USD) per night. ~$100 per night for a rollaway bed?!? Unless it comes with One Direction (ideally scented) sheets and Hello Kitty pillows, the price just doesn’t add up to me.
St. Regis Singapore Caroline Astor Suite bedroom
St. Regis Singapore Caroline Astor Suite living room
Since I had never ordered a rollaway bed before, I did some research as to how much other hotels charge for rollaway beds. Looking at the Westin Tampa, for example, they charge $10 per night for a rollaway bed. It seems reasonable to charge something given the extra labor required to set it up. But I’m having a hard time coming to terms with ~$100 per night for a rollaway bed. Does one in every five guests steal the rollaway bed, and therefore they have to replace it?
What’s especially interesting (to me, at least) is that I booked a room with two beds and was upgraded to a suite with one bed. I’m of course incredibly appreciative for the upgrade and am happy to part ways with $100 in exchange for an awesome suite. But I still find it really interesting, perhaps simply because I’ve never faced this before.
So please educate me, guys — I’m curious what you think, regardless of whether you’ve never ordered a rollaway bed before, or order one with every hotel stay. What’s a reasonable cost for a rollaway bed? And should the cost be waived if you booked a room with two beds and get upgraded, or do you “waive” your right to your bed preference when you get upgraded?
PS: The new Westin Singapore is G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S, perhaps nicer than the St. Regis. The location is kind of not great, though…
Westin Singapore lobby
Westin Singapore Harbor View Suite living room
Westin Singapore Harbor View Suite dining room
Westin Singapore Harbor View Suite bedroom
Hi guys, I need your suggestion..as I am going to Singapore for a business trip and my spouse would like to join. However my booking will be done by our priciple office and I still do not wish to mention as double occupancy so my question is whethere my spouse also need to check in officially at hotel or just my self check in and he join a while later? as I do not wish...
Hi guys, I need your suggestion..as I am going to Singapore for a business trip and my spouse would like to join. However my booking will be done by our priciple office and I still do not wish to mention as double occupancy so my question is whethere my spouse also need to check in officially at hotel or just my self check in and he join a while later? as I do not wish to pay for double occupancy and not sure hotel will charge same rate or different however he will not take breakfast at hotel. Please kindly suggest and sorry for my poor english.
(1) I find it very annoying that many higher-end suites only have a king bed. This is very, very annoying when you are doing what Lucky is doing and spending a vacation with a parent.
(2) If you get an upgrade from a double-room to king suite + rollaway, I'd expect no charge for a rollaway.
(3) $100 is a ridiculous price, especially for a top tier SPG member like yourself but if faced...
(1) I find it very annoying that many higher-end suites only have a king bed. This is very, very annoying when you are doing what Lucky is doing and spending a vacation with a parent.
(2) If you get an upgrade from a double-room to king suite + rollaway, I'd expect no charge for a rollaway.
(3) $100 is a ridiculous price, especially for a top tier SPG member like yourself but if faced with that choice, I'd probably sleep on a sofa instead (most suites have pullout sofa) and give up a bed to a parent :)
That rate probably includes an additional hotel breakfast for a third person, on top of the extra toiletries, bath towels, etc that housekeeping will setup in the room for you. It makes sense as some of the breakfast selections are really extensive.
The detail for the Westin Singapore shows a fee for internet, but no fee for the "Heavenly Rollaway Bed": https://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/rooms/amenities/popup.html?propertyID=3624
I also did a Google search of the site:starwoodhotels.com and there are no rollaway charges published for the St. Regis Singapore.
Get your deserved money back!
It drives me mad.
It's poorly disclosed and can be 63% of the price of the room, as with the Park Royal Yangon, who does not disclose it on the website or confirmation butand when contacted asked USD 207 for a rollaway bed for our 10 year old child, and needless to say, they lost the entire 4 nights booking.
It should be free (like the Shangri La, whose Yangon property got our booking...
It drives me mad.
It's poorly disclosed and can be 63% of the price of the room, as with the Park Royal Yangon, who does not disclose it on the website or confirmation butand when contacted asked USD 207 for a rollaway bed for our 10 year old child, and needless to say, they lost the entire 4 nights booking.
It should be free (like the Shangri La, whose Yangon property got our booking and, as a result, so did their Chiang Mai one for an upcoming trip) or *no more* than USD 10. And it should be a brand standard. As such, please lodge a complaint with Starwood.
Regarding fair pricing - usually the price is free or it's ridiculous ($25+ per night). There is really no logical reason for the fee: some rooms come with two beds and other come with one bed, but the price is almost always the same. So why should the price be higher if you ask the hotel to add a bed?
So I'd say the only reasonable charge would be $0 for one rollaway, or maybe a one-time set-up fee of $10 or $15 (not per night).
As part of a family of 3, rollaway bed pricing has been a pet peeve of mine for a long time. I've come across some beautiful vacation hotels with reasonable rates, only to find that their extra person charge makes the cost far higher than I want to pay.
The worst, though, is that most hotel websites don't clearly state their rollaway bed charge - particularly the large chain hotels. Comparison shopping is difficult when...
As part of a family of 3, rollaway bed pricing has been a pet peeve of mine for a long time. I've come across some beautiful vacation hotels with reasonable rates, only to find that their extra person charge makes the cost far higher than I want to pay.
The worst, though, is that most hotel websites don't clearly state their rollaway bed charge - particularly the large chain hotels. Comparison shopping is difficult when you have to call or email several hotels to get accurate pricing.
What is appropriate for a rollaway? Whatever the hotel feels is fair and that the price is clearly disclosed ahead of time so that the consumer can have that information when making their travel plans and reservation.
I find IHG/Hilton are the best at displaying their rollaway bed prices on their website.
In North America, I would feel $25 would be reasonable. Maybe a tad higher in Europe and a tad lower in Asia.
As...
What is appropriate for a rollaway? Whatever the hotel feels is fair and that the price is clearly disclosed ahead of time so that the consumer can have that information when making their travel plans and reservation.
I find IHG/Hilton are the best at displaying their rollaway bed prices on their website.
In North America, I would feel $25 would be reasonable. Maybe a tad higher in Europe and a tad lower in Asia.
As for getting an upgrade from a basic 2 bed room to a 1 bed room suite, the rollaway price should still apply; you can always decline the upgrade.
Hi FlyingBird --
Thanks for asking.
First, camping is a close second to travel as our family's favorite activity. And sometimes we combine camping with staying in a hotel -- if there aren't enough beds, we just make a pallet of blankets on the floor for the kids.
Heck, my 2 year daughter doesn't even sleep in her bed at home -- we ALWAYS find her sounds asleep on the floor in the middle...
Hi FlyingBird --
Thanks for asking.
First, camping is a close second to travel as our family's favorite activity. And sometimes we combine camping with staying in a hotel -- if there aren't enough beds, we just make a pallet of blankets on the floor for the kids.
Heck, my 2 year daughter doesn't even sleep in her bed at home -- we ALWAYS find her sounds asleep on the floor in the middle of her room! So no way I'm paying $100 for a bed for her!
So our standard plan is to get 2 double beds, if that's an option. Then our son sleeps on one, and his sister gets the blanket pallet. Some hotels have no issue giving you extra bedding for free. Others, not so much. In Burma, one hotel would only give us a single extra flat sheet -- no blanket, no pillow. But our kids both travel with their personal travel blankets, so they just used those.
And on occasion, especially if it's just 2 twin beds (common in Europe), I'll get creative and disassemble a bed so that somebody gets the mattress and somebody else the box springs.
That said, we especially like Hyatt Places (and similar) where you can get 2 double beds + a pull out couch. That makes it easy.
Of course, it's constantly evolving with kids -- their preferences change quickly. What worked last month might not work the next, LOL.
But no way I'm paying $100 for a rollaway bed!
Not completely related to the original question but I travel almost exclusively in Asia with two kids under 12, so this might be of use to some.
I always enquire in advance whether the hotel permits the family to share one room (assuming the room is not the size of a typical room in Europe), and whether there is a fee for an extra bed. I've never actually asked for a free rollaway, but...
Not completely related to the original question but I travel almost exclusively in Asia with two kids under 12, so this might be of use to some.
I always enquire in advance whether the hotel permits the family to share one room (assuming the room is not the size of a typical room in Europe), and whether there is a fee for an extra bed. I've never actually asked for a free rollaway, but I will now. Now that my kids are a bit older, I also carry my own inflatable mattress, and this works out fine if we are not moving around too much. So, definitely no mattress runs with the family!
Shangri-las don't charge for rollaways under their family policy
The Conrads in Singapore and Tokyo wanted more than USD50 per night (so I stayed elsewhere)
The Langham Xintiandi Shanghai wanted almost USD100
The Hilton Singapore, Grand Hyatt Taipei, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, Le Meridien Chiang Mai, Grand Hyatt Shanghai, Hyatt on the Bund Shanghai, Grand Hyatt Beijing, Conrad Hong Kong, and Conrad Macau all provided free rollaways. Some of these were in upgraded rooms or suites so not sure if it was the hotel, the room rate, or my status at the time.
Others also wanted extra for rollaways (I typically brace myself for a quote of USD50 or more), but I forget the details now since I usually choose to stay elsewhere.
By far the most impressive rollaway situation was the Hilton Singapore since the room size was fairly tight. The housekeeping staff had to rearrange the furniture to fit in the bed. The FD agent proactively offered to provide the bed for free when we checked in.
I have started to book two connecting rooms (sigh) but recently discovered the family plan rates at the Hyatts, and this can work out to be cheaper than two extra rollaway beds at some properties.
I just asked at the Shangri-La Singapore and in the circumstances you describe they would waive the charge for the extra rollaway. The service here really is top notch.
I was actually on your flight from DXB - SIN (Seat 2K) I thought I recognised you from somewhere, but have only just put 2 and 2 together. Let's blame sleep deprivation and too much time in the lounge for that one.
Hope you and your dad continue to have an awesome trip.
This is one of the things that drives me out of mind, especially when traveling abroad with our daughter. So far, I don't think I've ever actually paid, but we've been confronted with up to $70 per night requested. I've found Hiltons abroad to be really accommodating and Marriotts to be just dreadful. I understand an extra fee, but the time is the same to set up and take down and do the extra linens...
This is one of the things that drives me out of mind, especially when traveling abroad with our daughter. So far, I don't think I've ever actually paid, but we've been confronted with up to $70 per night requested. I've found Hiltons abroad to be really accommodating and Marriotts to be just dreadful. I understand an extra fee, but the time is the same to set up and take down and do the extra linens whether one night or four. I have found the rollaway bed policy to be a determining factor in making a reservation. On a couple of trips internationally with our daughter we have even brought a small extra suitcase with an inflatable mattress and an extra sheet and blanket. We've only actually used it one night I think. But it made it less stressful having it because we didn't want to spend an extra $800 on so on rollaways for a trip. Travel in the U.S. with children is SO much easier.
Narita Hilton no charge, but Tokyo Bay Hilton $42. It was not clearly disclosed on my reservation [or website during the reservation and they offered to waive or points].
Assuming you are using points and you put 2 [or 3 or whatever] in the room. I would expect that the notice for a roll away would be on your reservation or it would be included. I would email customer service and point out [if...
Narita Hilton no charge, but Tokyo Bay Hilton $42. It was not clearly disclosed on my reservation [or website during the reservation and they offered to waive or points].
Assuming you are using points and you put 2 [or 3 or whatever] in the room. I would expect that the notice for a roll away would be on your reservation or it would be included. I would email customer service and point out [if correct] that the award reservation did not indicate that there would be an extra charge. I also agree with the majority that if you are upgraded from a two bedroom to a one bedroom you should be told at the front desk that it would cost you more for a roll away or not be charged. I have been told that they only have a king available in the upgrade....instead of two queens [our normal family of 3 configuration].
I've gotten baby cribs at 6 different hotels this year at no extra charge. Not the same thing as a full bed, sure, but it's the same concept with slightly more weight/effort.
Some of my experience traveling with my husband and teenager:
St. Regis in Florence=80 Euro
W in St Pete, Russia = 2,000 RUB per night ($42.75 USD)
Welcome to the world of those of us who travel with young children. Sometimes the rollaways can cost darn near as much as another room.
Sounds like highway robbery at $100. I recall your older trip reports when you'd put a pillow down the middle of the king bed and share it with "a friend". (Oh wait...did that really happen?) ;-)
I usually travel with my wife and daughter. In my Hyatt profile, I had roll-way bed checked. On my last trip to Asia without my daughter, two of the Hyatts I stayed at, they already put the roll-way bed in my suite without asking. For the last 10 years staying at many hotels all over the world, I've never been charged for a roll-away. I usually email the hotel in advance, they usually waive it if asked.
Hi Ben,
As a Hyatt Diamond, I primarily stay at Hyatts. On a few occasions, I was charged for a rollaway when there was no disclosure on the website that there would be such a charge. Management took the charge off.
What I now do is contact the GM in advance and ask them to waive the charge, which I believe they have always done.
Most hotels, though, do not charge for a rollaway.
With...
Hi Ben,
As a Hyatt Diamond, I primarily stay at Hyatts. On a few occasions, I was charged for a rollaway when there was no disclosure on the website that there would be such a charge. Management took the charge off.
What I now do is contact the GM in advance and ask them to waive the charge, which I believe they have always done.
Most hotels, though, do not charge for a rollaway.
With your situation, I am sure management will waive the charge if you talk to them, especially considering that your original booking was for two beds.
I am confused. You have travelled quite a bit with other people before. This is the first time you have obtained a rollaway?
As some others have stated, I'd push back on paying anything for the rollaway in this case.
You booked two beds, they need to provide two beds, irrespective of the upgrade.
It should NOT be a choice of "decline the upgrade or pay for the second bed."
Paid $110 at Westin Palace Milan, even though did not really need it :( With 2 adults and a toddler we can easily share same king size bed, but the roll-away was there on arrival waiting for us. On a bright side, it was inside a nice upgraded suite which also had spare couch.
IF you're at the Westin, the food court next door on the second floor of the bank building is good for lunches, snacks, etc. But yeah, it was in the middle of nothing interesting.
$100 if the occupancy is over the stated limit for the booked room (for example the 3rd person + rollaway) is reasonable if it is like places in Europe. Not reasonable for just a rollaway bed by itself for a double occupancy.
I'm pretty sure Lucky was not charged for it and is just posing the question if the charge is reasonable...
I stayed at the Dublin, Ireland Westin last month and the price for the rollaway was €45 per night.
Hi Ben,
This is completely overpriced and something I wouldn't hesitate to turn down, heck for $100+ per day I would rather spend that on a good meal around Singapore. Also, the hotel should keep in mind that you are an elite and should be able to waive the chargers. In previews experiences I've gotten some of their crazy fee for a roller bed waived, others may be stricter than others but I still find that fee to be hefty. $10 is more like it - $100...no thanks!
@lucky - Out of curiosity, was this quoted to you online or by a FD agent during check-in? At my hotel, we charge $25 for the fee but if they are a loyal guest to the brand then we would waive the fee as it’s not worth it. Also, if you booked 2 doubles, then I would think the fee would be waived even if you were upgraded.
Have a blast with your Dad, can’t wait for more videos!
Did you explain that you're staying with your dad and it would otherwise be awkward to sleep in the same bed? I always request for a rollaway when staying in a suite at JW with mum and each time JW waived the fee when I explained why I needed the extra bed. It's not because there were three people in a room (which I think is their assumption when a rollaway is requested).
I've stayed in Penang, Malaysia on a recent trip and required a rollaway, and it was free of charge, perhaps because the room was set to sleep 2+ people per room. Granted, the hotel is not a big name chain.
tip:
On the same trip, we stayed in the same Westin Singapore hotel. There's a nightly street hawker style area in back of the hotel. You can get there by cutting through the Food...
I've stayed in Penang, Malaysia on a recent trip and required a rollaway, and it was free of charge, perhaps because the room was set to sleep 2+ people per room. Granted, the hotel is not a big name chain.
tip:
On the same trip, we stayed in the same Westin Singapore hotel. There's a nightly street hawker style area in back of the hotel. You can get there by cutting through the Food court area, and then swing a right. You won't miss it. Bar-B-Que tiger prawns! Also, there's a MRT red line access just a few blocks from the hotel that makes things very convenient if you don't want to hail a taxi.
Oh, when they charge that much, I just tell them to send up a 2nd set of covers (duvets, pillows, etc) and I just share the bed. Usually it's some massive king which a family of 4 can sleep on. And then use that $100 for some nice dinner.
If you booked 2 beds but got a upgrade to a suite with 1 bed and a rollaway I would expect to pay $0 as your reservation was for 2 beds. If you made it for 2 people and a standard room, then still $0. If you made it for a king room, then honestly I don't see the cost more than $10 for a average hotel, $25 if its a upscale one.
With...
If you booked 2 beds but got a upgrade to a suite with 1 bed and a rollaway I would expect to pay $0 as your reservation was for 2 beds. If you made it for 2 people and a standard room, then still $0. If you made it for a king room, then honestly I don't see the cost more than $10 for a average hotel, $25 if its a upscale one.
With Hyatt, I never got charged for a rollaway (as a diamond). I think that's a unpublished perk. With IHG, they do charge (even as a RA and usually some $70 which is just insane). But $100, is just way too much.
Conrad Singapore rollaway bed is $50, Crown Plaza SIN airport rollaway bed was free. Now we know what Lucky Dad did not guess. Please keep more intrigue for our entertainment.
I have often found they will waive the fee if you booked 2 beds and got one instead.
Travis might be able to comment, as he travels as a family. What are his experiences with it? I am curious too with regards to the rollaway bed cost in general. And when do we request for it? when booking (i.e., state 3 pax?), put it as remarks? or only at the hotel?
which is cheaper?
If you made the reservation for two adults then I think the charge should be zero but if the reservation was for just one adult then I think between 25-50 USD would be reasonable. When I have asked for an extra bed for the the kids there has often been no additional charge at all at e.g. Westin, Sheraton etc
What's always been more puzzling to me is why, and it's happens all the time, when you book a twin bedded room hotels think you'll be delighted that they upgraded you to a room with one bed is . At check-in they give you the 'aren't we wonderful' upgrade speech expecting you to be delighted and look at you incredulously when you say no, I booked a twin because I want a twin. Much keyboard...
What's always been more puzzling to me is why, and it's happens all the time, when you book a twin bedded room hotels think you'll be delighted that they upgraded you to a room with one bed is . At check-in they give you the 'aren't we wonderful' upgrade speech expecting you to be delighted and look at you incredulously when you say no, I booked a twin because I want a twin. Much keyboard bashing then occurs as they desperately try to remedy the situation.
As to your situation Ben, sorry but no, you shouldn't be paying a penny for it.
Usually I get them to waive the rollaway fee and they usually oblige. I have never paid for rollaway simply because it should not cost anything. I am originally from Singapore and have stayed at both hotels but only used the rollaway in the St Regis and while I was charged for it at checkout the removed the fee.
There should not be an additional cost for a rollaway bed in a 5 star hotel unless you have a breakfast inclusive rate (second person increased the cost). Most 5 star business hotels offer the same rates for both single or double occupancy as associated costs are actually the same...
Not more than $ € £ 50 (whatever the local currency is). The nicer the hotel, the more we've been gouged for a rollaway bed.
I can understand that there is a cost to set up, and also per day extra costs associated with linens and time to make up the bed. In most cases, I would hope $20-25 per night would be enough to charge. I also agree that if you reserve a room with two beds and that is not available, then the rollaway should be free.
$100 for a rollaway in the suite?! I think I would...
I can understand that there is a cost to set up, and also per day extra costs associated with linens and time to make up the bed. In most cases, I would hope $20-25 per night would be enough to charge. I also agree that if you reserve a room with two beds and that is not available, then the rollaway should be free.
$100 for a rollaway in the suite?! I think I would have declined the suite, or checked out how comfortable the sofa was. I just don't see any way to justify that charge.
I'm gonna be awkward and ask you why you ordered a rollaway bed when travelling with your dad..
(I come from Egypt, so here it's not at all a problem to share a bed with family)
They are often free. A rollaway is a much less expensive amenity than many others such as televisions and fancy stereo/alarm clocks. In fact $100 probably is not far off the purchase price of a hotel quality bed and mattress. This fee is more like the price of making a long distance phone call from a hotel, rather than any actual reflection of costs, but you can't bring your own rollaway the way you bring your own cell phone.
This is a problem I run into as I often travel with 2 friends and we each prefer our own bed. On a recent trip to Turkey the websites for both the Ritz Istanbul and the Radisson Blu in Istanbul said there would be a $50 fee per night for the rollaway but neither charged us and we were staying on points.
if you are not a fussy sleeper, hit the couch.
Not more than 25€....
Now I am even looking more excited to read the newest trip report! Stayed in the Westin in April and indeed, it is amazing. Cant wait to read about your experiences in that beautiful city!
I recently took my parents to Italy for a week of traveling and was surprised to see hotel's fixation on number of guests. Typically, price went up linearly (1 guest = 50 EUR, 2 guests = 100 EUR, 3 guests = 150 EUR) even when we were all in the same room! From a logical perspective, I just didn't get it, but when in Rome...