Glossary of terms for bed and breakfast accommodation

When travelling to any country outside your own, standards may not meet your expectations or may be different to those you are used too. This page, a glossary of terms for the bed and breakfast sector, is designed to prepare you for the differences which you may find in Ireland. It includes a comparison of bed sizes with those in the United States and a description of what to expect with the different room types.

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Room Sizes[ Back to Top ]

Single Room

A single room is designed to accommodate one person only. The room contains one single bed. (approx. 3' x 6' 3 or 1m x 1.9m)

Double Room

A double room is designed to accommodate two people only. The room contains one queen bed. (approx. 4' 6 x 6' 3 or 1.4m x 1.9m)

Twin Room

A twin room is also designed to accommodate two people only. The room contains two single beds. (approx. 3 x 6' 3 or 1m x 1.9m)

Family Rooms

There are two main types of family rooms, as follows:

Triple Room

A triple room is designed to accommodate three people only.
The room will contain either:
• One queen and one single bed
• Three single beds

Please specify which option you require when sending your reservation form.

Quad Room

A quad room is designed to accommodate four people only.
The room will contain either:
- Two queen beds
- One queen and two single beds
- Four single beds

Please specify which option you require when sending your reservation form. We can also assist you in seeking accommodation that can accommodate more than four people in a room. Please specify the number of people in your party when completing your reservation request form.

Suites / Apartments

Suites and apartments are designed to provide a luxurious atmosphere, whilst away from home. They normally range from one to three bedrooms, with a separate lounge area and bathroom, and sleep two people per room. Some suites and all apartments also contain a kitchenette. We can also assist you in booking studio suites and apartments. These are the same as above but do not have a separate bedroom - all facilities, with the exception of the bathroom, are contained within one room.

Bed Sizes[ Back to Top ]

European Bed Sizes & DimensionsStandard US Bed Sizes
 Bed SizeMetricFeet & InchesInchesUS Bed SizesAlso called
SINGLE 75cm × 190cm 2ft 6' × 6ft 3' 30' × 75' TWIN Single
SINGLE 90cm × 190cm 3ft × 6ft 3' 36' × 75' KING SINGLE  
DOUBLE 135cm × 190cm 4ft 6' × 6ft 3' 54' × 75' DOUBLE Full
KING 153cm × 190cm 5ft × 6ft 3' 60' × 75'    
SUPER KING 183cm × 200cm 6ft × 6ft 6' 72' × 78'    
  100cm × 203cm 3ft 3' × 6ft 8' 39' × 80' TWIN X-LONG Extra Long Single
  153cm × 203cm 5ft × 6ft 8' 60' × 80' QUEEN Queensize
  200cm × 203cm 6ft 6' × 6ft 8' 78' × 80' KING Eastern King
  183cm × 213cm 6ft × 7ft 72' × 84' CALIFORNIA KING Western King

Sizes are approximate. Please note that a European King bed is the closest equivalent to the American Queen bed and would normally be the largest bed size available.

Room Standards[ Back to Top ]

In Ireland B&Bs tend to place their bedrooms within three different categories:

1. Standard Bedroom (B&B)

This indicates that there is not a bathroom within the bedroom. In this case there will be shared bathroom facilities in the corridor. Usually there will be a wash hand basin within the room.

2. En-Suite Bedrooms (B&B)

This indicates that there is a private bathroom within the bedroom. This will always contain a WC and wash hand basin, plus a Shower and / or bath.

3. Deluxe (B&B)

The standard of B&B accommodation in Ireland is considered to be very high and deluxe rooms would be available in high end B&Bs and guesthouse accommodation. Deluxe rooms would often have additional furniture or Jacuzzis in the bathroom – check the description

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Ireland B&B
Dublin Bed & Breakfast
A Guide to Killarney and its accommodation
Killarney Hotels
Ireland and Dublin Hotels
The Ireland Directory
Ireland Insight
Idorla
Irish Days - Festivals and events in Ireland