After two decades of living and traveling in Spain and Portugal and helping over 10,000 American travelers enjoy tailor-made Spain & Portugal luxury tours, we’ve learned that nothing ruins a vacation faster than a cramped hotel bed. Here’s everything we wish every American traveler knew before booking their first night in Spain or Portugal.
The Hidden Details That Can Make—or Break—Your Vacation Mood, Enjoyment and Energy in Spain or Portugal
Your trip is all set with luxury and boutique hotels, maybe a Michelin-star table reserved and private guided tours, tastings and excursions to those UNESCO sites. But there’s one subtle yet crucial comfort detail that even seasoned luxury travelers overlook in Spain and Portugal: the size—and style—of the bed and the impact of poor sleep on energy, enjoyment and mood.
Unlike the more predictable king-size standards of U.S. hotels, Iberian bed sizing may vary by property, and even room category.
For discerning couples used to space, seamless sleep, and the finer things, this isn’t a minor issue. It’s a quality-of-life matter that touches every moment of your trip. This guide will decode what the terms really mean in Portugal and Spain, show you how to finesse upgrades without sounding demanding, and help you sleep better—so you wake up ready to savor that vineyard sunrise, Gaudí rooftop, or private fado performance in true comfort.
Why We Know Hotel Beds Matter (The Hard Way)
After organizing Spain & Portugal luxury travel and private tours for Americans in Iberia for 20 years, we’ve heard every version of the same story: “We thought we booked a king or queen bed, but we could barely fit together!” After helping thousands of Americans navigate Spanish and Portuguese hotels, we’ve become accidental experts on European bed sizing – mostly because our clients kept asking us to fix their uncomfortable situations. Keep in mind, that in southern Europe most people are smaller than in USA.
The reality? What Americans call a “double bed” and what Spanish and Portuguese hotels call a “double bed” maybe completely different things. We’ve seen couples arrive expecting US king comfort and find themselves on what’s essentially a glorified twin bed.
Our Real-World Spanish Hotel Bed Experience
What We’ve Learned Living Here
After 20 years as residents, we can tell you that Spanish hotel bed sizing is… complicated. Here’s what we see in practice:
The “Cama Matrimonio” Spanish Double Bed Width Reality Check:
- 135cm beds (53 inches) – What some Spanish hotels still consider “standard double”
- 150cm beds (59 inches) – The “upgraded” double bed in some standard hotel rooms
- 160cm beds (63 inches) – What some modern Spanish hotels offer with “superior room”
- 180cm beds (71 inches) – True king size, but usually requires junior suite booking
Our Insider Knowledge: The Spanish Hotel Hierarchy
Through years of booking private Spain travel and tours for American clients, we’ve cracked the Spanish hotel code:
Standard rooms: Often still use 135cm beds (a legacy from smaller Spanish stature decades ago) Superior rooms: Usually 150cm, but ask specifically – some properties haven’t updated Deluxe rooms: Your best bet for 160cm without paying suite prices Junior suites: Where you’ll reliably find 180cm king beds
The Spanish Creative Secret
Here’s something most guidebooks won’t tell you: Spanish hotels often can offer the “two twin beds pushed together” solution. We recommend this to budget-conscious couples because two 90cm Spanish twins create 180cm of width – that’s actually wider than a US queen! Spanish hotels have perfected this setup with seamless zippered covering and linens. This can be comfortable for normal sized folks. It may not be ideal for folks who are larger in our suggestion, is to go to the junior suite category and get a guaranteed king bed.
Portuguese Hotels and Bed Sizes.
Our Portuguese Experience Advantage
Traveling frequently and with part of our team living and planning Portugal private trips, we’ve discovered that some modern deluxe Portuguese hotels may offer more generous bed sizing than their Spanish counterparts.
What We Consistently Find in Portugal:
- 140cm European standard doubles (still narrow, but improving)
- 160cm beds common even in standard categories
- 190cm arrangements (two singles together) surprisingly frequent
Why Portuguese Hotels Can Work
From our experience, Portuguese hotels – especially in tourist areas and wine regions – adapted earlier to international expectations. The country’s tourism industry matured with a keen awareness of American and taller Northern European preferences.
Our Field-Tested Booking Strategy
What We Do for Every Client
Before Any Booking:
- Direct hotel contact – We email asking: “¿Cuáles son las dimensiones exactas de la cama en centímetros?”
- Specific requests – Never just “double bed.” Always “cama de 160cm mínimo”
- Room category verification – We’ve learned which properties actually deliver on their promises
Our Booking Formula
For King Bed Guarantee:
- Junior suite minimum, or request “dos camas individuales juntas”
- Specific language: “Necesitamos cama king size de 180cm”
For Queen-Size Comfort:
- Deluxe room category minimum
- We specify “cama matrimonio de 160cm como mínimo”
Hard-Won Lessons from 20 Years of Mistakes
The Booking Disasters We’ve Fixed
The Madrid Mix-Up: Client self-booked “deluxe double” at prestigious chain hotel, got 135cm bed. We were able to get better rooms for them and learned to specify width in centimeters, not rely on room category names.
The Portugal Pleasant Surprise: Same room category in Portugal delivered 180cm of space. This does not always happen.
The Rioja Revelation: A Luxury 5 star wine region hotels often exceed expectations even in lower categories. Pay to play or sleep is often a factor.
Red Flags We’ve Learned to Spot
- Historic hotel properties often retain older, smaller bed standards
- Boutique hotels vary wildly – always verify directly
- Chain hotels generally more reliable for size consistency
Regional Expertise: Where Size Matters Most
Major Cities (From Our Resident Perspective)
Madrid/Barcelona: International chains deliver consistency; local boutiques require verification Lisbon/Porto: Generally more American-friendly sizing across categories
Wine Regions (Our Specialty)
Spanish wine hotels (Rioja, Ribera del Duero): Luxury positioning often means larger beds even in “superior” categories Portuguese quintas (Douro Valley): Maybe more generous sizing, perfect for romantic getaways. Always be sure your travel planner double checks.
Client Success Stories: What Works
The Texas Couple Strategy
Challenge: 6’4″ husband, Our solution: Junior suites in Spanish 4 and 5 star hotels Result: Happy well rested clients with Spanish king beds 180cm width, 200cm length.
The California Wine Lovers
Challenge: Wanted luxury without suite prices Our solution: Portuguese 5 star hotel superior room Result: 180cm bed space, vineyard views, exceeded expectations
The Twin Bed Budget Solution
Spanish hotels excel at this setup – often costs 30% less than suite pricing while delivering king-size space.
What We Tell Every First-Time Visitor
Spain Expectations
- Standard reality: Standard rooms rarely accommodate American couples comfortably
- Investment advice: Superior/deluxe categories worth the upgrade
- Secret weapon: Two twins pushed together for normal size people can work. For larger people we suggest junior suites or deluxe room with 2 beds.
Portugal Advantages
- Generally but not alays better: More international-friendly sizing but you need to know where to go.
- Safer bets: Superior rooms can be sufficient but be sure to verify
Our Essential Pre-Trip Checklist
Based on 10,000+ happy customers:
- Book superior category minimum for reliable comfort
- Consider two singles for budget-conscious king-size space
- Plan early check-in to address any bed issues immediately
Why This Expertise Matters for Your Trip
Luxury Isn’t Just Where You Stay—It’s How Well You Sleep
In Iberia, luxury isn’t standardized—it’s personalized. That includes beds. From a cozy 135 cm cama doble in a historic Lisbon palace to a 180 cm split king at a contemporary wine estate, knowing what to ask for is part of traveling smart.
For couples who value restorative sleep, seamless logistics, and spaces that feel as good as they look, we recommend:
- Booking superior rooms or junior suites at reputable, vetted hotels (which more reliably offer true king-width beds).
- When in doubt, request exact bed dimensions in centimeters—a refined but savvy move.
The payoff? More energy for unforgettable days. More comfort at night. And a quietly luxurious edge that transforms a good trip into a truly elevated one.
After helping thousands of Americans fall in love with Spain and Portugal, we know that comfort creates the foundation for magical experiences. When you wake up refreshed instead of cramped, you’re ready to fully embrace flamenco in Seville, Gaudí’s genius in Barcelona, port tastings in Porto, or sunrise over the Douro Valley.
The bottom line from 20 years of resident expertise: Invest in understanding bed sizing before you book. The small upfront effort prevents vacation-defining disappointment.
Your Next Steps
Ready to plan your Spanish and Portuguese private tour with proper bed sizing? Contact our team of Spain and Portugal residents for personalized booking assistance. We’ll leverage our local knowledge and two decades of experience to ensure you wake up refreshed and ready for your Iberian journey.
Because after 10,000+ happy American travelers, we know exactly how to get you the perfect bed for your Spanish and Portuguese adventure.
Sources and Additional Resources
This guide combines our 20 years of resident expertise with Spain and Portugal luxury travel + industry research from multiple sources, including official Spanish and Portuguese tourism authorities:
Official Tourism Resources:
Industry and Travel Resources: Information synthesized from hospitality industry publications, European hotel standards documentation, and travel forum discussions from experienced travelers and hotel professionals.
sidents and travel specialists serving American travelers since 2004.
About the Author
Dan O’Beirne is the American founder of Magical Spain, Portugal, & Morocco Private Travel and has called the Iberian Peninsula home for over 20 years. After leaving his corporate career in the USA, Dan’s Spanish language skills took him from Machu Picchu to Argentine wine estates, but it was in Spain where he found both his calling and his Spanish wife.
As founder of Magical, Dan has managed travel experiences for more than 10,000 American travelers. His network of local amigos includes Basque chefs, Rioja winemakers, flamenco guitarists, historians, and even the owner of a medieval castle – connections that provide his clients with authentic, insider access to Spain and Portugal.
From running with the bulls in Pamplona (never again, he insists) to playing soccer with Spanish dads in his son’s league, Dan lives the Iberian lifestyle his clients dream about. He splits his time between exploring Portugal’s Douro Valley quintas, hiking Spain’s islands, and discovering the perfect tapas bars in Andalucía – all while conducting hands-on hotel research for his discerning American clientele.
Dan and Magical Spain, Portugal, & Morocco Private Travel have been featured in Rick Steves’ Spain travel guides and have assisted PBS TV, the Travel Channel, and MTV with their Spain productions. When he’s not crafting personalized itineraries, you’ll find him exploring Roman archaeology sites or debating the merits of different olive oils with local producers.
“You May Delay, But Time Will Not, and Lost Time is Never Found Again.” – Benjamin Franklin (Dan’s favorite travel philosophy)
Connect with Dan for personalized Spain, Portugal or Morocco luxury travel planning that combines two decades of resident expertise with authentic local relationships.