Priceline Hotel: Booking rooms for a family of 4 in Europe

[thrillofthehunt]

Hi,

Does anyone have experience booking European rooms via Priceline and being able to bring your kids along? In the US, no problem, even though the reservations are technically for 2 people. But beds in European hotels are so different. Am I going to have to book two rooms to accommodate us (kids are 7, 9)?

Thx.

[WillTravel]

A small percentage of hotels that come up for Europe on Priceline allow one child under 12 for free, and an even smaller number allow two children under 12. I know there have been topics about this before. Obviously you run a significant risk if you hope that the hotel that comes up for you is one of the small percentage.

What cities are you interested in? Priceline might not be the best option in your case.

[maryfshort]

We just returned from a week in England. We have two boys ages 6 and 7. We booked two rooms for our stay. I sent requests to both hotels and requested connecting rooms. Our hotel in the north was a Marriott so the rooms and the beds were more "American". In London, we had a Thistle hotel and the beds were definately very "European" which meant two twins in each room.

Having the connecting rooms was great. It was like having a suite. Four beds. Two baths. Two mini-fridges. Using priceline, we were able to get two rooms in London for $60 per room, per night. A great bargain.

I was told that due to fire regulations, most hotels will not allow parents and two children in a regular room. They want you to upgrade to a suite. We found the two rooms-connecting was a wonderful option.

Good luck!!

[LoneStar]

Huge risk in Europe. But a good strategy is to bid for one room at a price you're willing to double if necessary. See what hotel you get. With priceline properties, there's probably a 35 to 40 percent chance you can squeeze a family of 4 into it. If you decide you need another room, just add it to the reservation.

Otherwise, travel with a blow up bed and practice a "don't ask, don't tell" strategy. Most hotels that participate in Priceline are large, so it's not hard to "sneak" the kids in, if necessary.

FWIW, a good non-priceline hotel chain in Europe for families of 4 is the small but expanding "SuiteHotel" line by Accor. We've also seen other European chains launch family room promos.