What is a single room in a hotel?
A single room is a hotel room for one guest, usually furnished with one single bed. It is the smallest standard room type and is mostly booked by solo travellers and business guests who want private lodging during their stay at a lower price than a double room.
How big is a single room?
Single rooms are typically between 8 and 14 m² (about 90 to 150 sq ft), with a bed of 90 to 100 cm, a desk and a small bathroom. Some hotels furnish their singles with a small double bed of 120 to 140 cm for extra comfort. In North America true single rooms are rare, and "single" on a rate usually means single occupancy of a standard room.
Single room vs double room, twin room and double for single use
- Single room: one guest, one single bed.
- Double room: two guests sharing one double, queen or king bed.
- Twin room: two guests, two separate single beds.
- Double for single use (DSU): a double room sold to one guest, usually at a lower rate than for two. Many hotels without single rooms sell their doubles this way.
Are single rooms cheaper than double rooms?
Per room, usually yes: a single room is smaller and sold to one person. Per person, travelling alone is often more expensive, because the room costs are not shared. Tour operators and package prices are quoted per person on the basis of two sharing, so a solo traveller pays a single supplement for a room of their own. Prices also depend on the hotel's location, season and demand.
Single room guests and upgrades before arrival
A guest who books a single room has made a price decision, not a promise to stay small. Many solo travellers will pay a little more for a double for single use, a view or a balcony, especially on longer stays, and the best moment to ask is a few days before arrival, while the trip is being planned. With guest journey automation, chatlyn sends that pre-arrival WhatsApp message from the booking in your PMS; the guest taps a button and the front office confirms the upgrade.
More ideas on timing and wording are in our guide to upselling in hotels, and you can see how chatlyn helps increase hotel revenue from the rooms you already sell.
FAQs
What is a single room in a hotel?
A single room is a hotel room for one person, usually with one single bed. It is the smallest standard room type.
Can two people stay in a single room?
Usually not. A single room is furnished and priced for one guest. Two people book a double room (one bed) or a twin room (two beds).
What does double for single use mean?
Double for single use (DSU) is a double room booked by one guest. It is common in hotels without single rooms, and the rate is usually lower than for two people.
What is a single supplement?
A single supplement is the extra charge a solo traveller pays when a package or tour is priced per person on the basis of two people sharing a room.
