Squeezing all your pals into one room sounds pretty cool (and budget-conscious), right? But, here’s the reality check: most hotels do not think it is charming, when a room designed for two unexpectedly becomes cozy sleeping arrangements for five (and will absolutely let you know).
What Hotels Actually Think About Group Sleepovers
Hotels are not being unreasonable — they’re being strict about their policies. There are maximum occupancy rules associated with rooms; it is not simply about fitting in beds. Consider safety, comfort, and the fact that nobody wants to listen to five guests fighting over who uses the one outlet, etc.
Even deluxe or grand deluxe rooms, which are somewhat more lenient, still have caps. For example:
- Standard deluxe? Usually: 2 adults + 1 kid
- Grand deluxe? Probably: 3 adults + 1 kid, most likely
If you are above that inclusivity? A polite knock or call from the front desk will be nice enough to just politely suggest that you book an additional bed or — better yet — book a room.
Think of it this way: you may decide that since nobody has complained at the hotel, and after all, you’re all friends, why not just hang out in one room?
The truth is, even if nobody complains, hotels will conduct regular inspections and if you’re clearly over the room capacity, they will step in. Why? Because:
- It interferes with room service and cleaning
- Sound issues for nearby guests
- Safety violations
So, real talk: hotels really don’t want to be the bad guy; rather, they just want to keep the guests happy and the hotel running smoothly.
Don’t Allow One Room to Ruin the Entire Trip.
You may feel like cramming everyone into one room is saving money, but think about the pros and cons:
- One or more people end up sleeping on the floor, or sharing a bed much too small
- Nobody gets a good night’s sleep (especially if you have a snorer)
- Agitation can occur if you’re unable to agree about bathroom time, noise, or one person insists on the air conditioning being set to Antarctic levels.
So yeah… that “save money” plan may cost you your sanity.
So What’s the Right Move for Group Travel?
Here is what works:
- Book connecting rooms if you are traveling with a big group
- Ask about charges for extra beds. A lot of time hotels will offer discounts for groups.
Alternatively, you could look for group accommodations – such as hostels that offer private rooms or apartments that offer multiple beds.
Bottom line – hotel room sharing is not illegal – but it’s not a free for all either.
Hotels want to ensure you enjoy the experience. But if you’re bringing significantly more people than the occupancy allows, it can get messy very quickly. There is a fine line between budget travel and a blatant disregard of the rules.
So, next time you travel with your crew, make sure to enjoy it for the right reasons, not because you were asked at the front desk to “please reduce the number of guests or get another room.”
