Ensuite versus shared bathroom accommodation
Written by Karen BryanWould you book accommodation with a shared bathroom? I suppose it’s really down to your travel budget as accommodation with shared bathrooms is generally much cheaper. For me it depends on various factors. I attending a travel bloggers summit in Berlin in March and have booked at the Generator Hostel. I reckon I’ll be out all day at the meeting or exploring Berlin, so I just want a cheap place to sleep. As there is a major Travel Fair during my dates, prices are much higher and I wasn’t prepared to pay more than 100 euros a night for a single ensuite room.
In general I find that larger establishments which have more than one bathroom a better bet. I’ve stayed in Bed and Breakfasts where there isn’t even a sink in the bedroom and 2 or more rooms share a bathroom which was awful. Whereas somewhere like Edinburgh First, university halls of residence used as visitor accommodation over the Summer. Every room has a sink and there are four bathrooms on each floor, so you never have a problem gaining access. Edinburgh First is in a great location, next to Holyrood Park, has free parking and a good breakfast.
Edinburgh First
There’s sometimes even a hybrid private but not ensuite bathroom, where you have your own bathroom but have to leave your room to access the bathroom. I had this arrangement with a single room at Smith’s Guest House in Edinburgh.
I’ve been looking at accommodation in Lucca in Italy for our trip to Tuscany and Umbria at the end of May. The Da Elisa Alle Setti Arti looks charming with art deco style accommodation in a 19th century building situated in a central location. They have double rooms with shared bathroom, no breakfast but shared kitchen for 52 euros a night. There are 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. I’m not keen on shared bathrooms when travelling with my husband but Da Elisa does look lovely and good value for money. I assume in old buildings it’s very difficult and/or expensive to install ensuite bathrooms.
Da Elisa Alle Sette Arti room
What your preference for bathroom arrangements?
We found some hybrids in Spain where you at a sink and shower in the room but the toilet was down the hall- same sort of price as shared but really convenient as you didn’t get stuck in the shower having forgotten the shampoo! I’m with you – I won’t spend money on an ensuite when I could use the same money for a nice meal instead!
Thanks for your comment Lissie. Even having a sink in your room is a real bonus. I do find that having to carry everything you need to and from the shared shower is a pain.
[...] Bryan presents Ensuite versus shared bathroom accommodation posted at Europe A La Carte Blog. Choosing between accommodation with shared or ensuite bathroom [...]
[...] I know consumers want value for money and if you book early and travel off peak you can pick up flights with the low cost airlines for £50 – £60 return including taxes. Accommodation is often the largest constituent of the travel budget. You don’t want to splash out on fancy hotels but neither do you want to rough it camping or sleeping in hostel dorms. You’re looking for best deal on value for money, comfortable accommodation. When you’re travelling you may spend very little time in my room and just be looking for the best deal on value for money, clean, comfortable accommodation. [...]
[...] Shared bathrooms alone is not enough to discourage me from booking accommodation, it depends on other factors too, the price of the accommodation, the ratio of bathrooms to guest bedrooms and the cleanliness of the facilities. [...]
[...] Shared bathrooms alone is not enough to discourage me from booking accommodation, it depends on other factors too, the price of the accommodation, the ratio of bathrooms to guest bedrooms and the cleanliness of the facilities. [...]
Ensuite most definitely. Some people can just be naturally disgusting in a bathroom.
David- thanks for your comment which unfortunately is true for some people and you never know who your fellow guests and bathroom sharers will be when you book the room.