A double bed in Spain, the cama de matrimonio, is usually 135 or 150 centimeters wide (53 or 59 inches) and 190 to 200 centimeters long. A 135 cm Spanish double is about the width of an American full bed, and even the 150 cm version is narrower than a US queen. In Portugal, a standard double, the cama de casal, is usually 140 centimeters (55 inches) wide.
The gap matters more than it looks. Our planners hear the same story from travelers who booked hotels on their own: a “deluxe double” in a five-star hotel that turned out to be 135 centimeters, and two tired people by day three. Since 2002 we have planned stays for 17,000+ travelers, almost all of them American, and the bed is a detail we check before anything is confirmed.
How does a Spanish double compare with a US queen or king?
| Bed | Width | Length |
|---|---|---|
| US full | 54 in (137 cm) | 75 in (191 cm) |
| US queen | 60 in (152 cm) | 80 in (203 cm) |
| US king | 76 in (193 cm) | 80 in (203 cm) |
| Spain, cama de matrimonio | 135 or 150 cm (53 or 59 in) | 190 to 200 cm (75 to 79 in) |
| Spain, cama de 180 (king) | 180 cm (71 in) | 200 cm (79 in) |
| Portugal, cama de casal | 140 cm (55 in) | 190 to 200 cm (75 to 79 in) |
| Portugal, queen or king | 160 or 180 cm (63 or 71 in) | 200 cm (79 in) |
| Two twins pushed together | 180 cm (71 in) | 190 to 200 cm (75 to 79 in) |
Even a 180 cm European king is about 5 inches narrower than a US king. Length matters too. Many Spanish beds are 190 cm, about 75 inches, so anyone over six feet tall should ask for a 200 cm bed.
Which hotel rooms have bigger beds?
In our experience, standard rooms and rooms in historic buildings are the most likely to have 135 or 150 cm beds. Deluxe rooms more often have 160 cm beds, and junior suites are where 180 cm beds become the norm. Room names are no guide on their own. A “superior double” in one Madrid hotel and a “superior double” in another can differ by 30 centimeters.
Are two twin beds pushed together a good option?
For many couples, yes. Two 90 cm twins make 180 cm of sleeping space, wider than a US queen, and many Spanish and Portuguese hotels make them up as one bed under a single set of linens. Travelers who are tall or broad-shouldered usually sleep better in a junior suite with a true 180 cm bed.
Are beds bigger in Portugal?
Often, though the standard double is still 140 cm. Many of Portugal’s newer luxury hotels and Douro Valley quintas use 160 or 180 cm beds even in their entry room categories. Historic properties in Lisbon and Porto vary as much as their Spanish counterparts.
What should you ask for when booking?
Ask for the width in centimeters, never only the room name. These phrases help:
- “Cama de matrimonio de 180” (Spain): a 180 cm double bed
- “Dos camas juntas” (Spain): two twin beds pushed together
- “Cama de casal de 180” (Portugal): a 180 cm double bed
- “Cama de 200 de largo”: a bed 200 cm long
On our private journeys, our planners confirm the bed type based on the hotel and room category you prefer, and we choose from our vetted luxury five-star and deluxe four-star boutique hotels. Want help? Tell your planner how you sleep, and we match each hotel to it.
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