a double room
in Spanishuna habitación doble
/OO-nah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN DOH-bleh/
This is the most direct and universally understood way to say 'a double room' in any Spanish-speaking country. It's the standard term you'll find on booking websites and use at a hotel front desk.
Being clear and specific, like asking for 'una habitación con dos camas', ensures you get the room you want.
💬Other Ways to Say It
una habitación para dos personas
/OO-nah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN PAH-rah dohs pehr-SOH-nahs/
This translates to 'a room for two people.' It's an extremely common and clear alternative to 'habitación doble' and avoids any ambiguity about the room's capacity.
una habitación con dos camas
/OO-nah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN kohn dohs KAH-mahs/
This means 'a room with two beds.' This is not a general request for a double room, but a specific request for a room with two separate beds (often twin beds).
una habitación con cama matrimonial
/OO-nah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN kohn KAH-mah mah-tree-moh-NYAHL/
This means 'a room with a matrimonial bed.' A 'cama matrimonial' is the standard term for a large bed meant for two people, similar to a Queen or King in English.
un cuarto doble
/oon KWAHR-toh DOH-bleh/
Meaning 'a double room,' this is a very common alternative to 'habitación' in many parts of Latin America, especially Mexico. 'Cuarto' can also mean 'room' in a house, but it's perfectly understood in a hotel context.
una habitación con cama doble
/OO-nah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN kohn KAH-mah DOH-bleh/
Literally 'a room with a double bed.' This phrase can be ambiguous. A 'cama doble' is a specific bed size (often smaller than a Queen), but some might interpret the phrase as a room with two beds. Because of this potential confusion, it's less common and less clear than other options.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right phrase depends on being specific about the beds. Here’s a quick comparison to help you pick the clearest option for your needs.
| Phrase | Best For | Key Distinction | |
|---|---|---|---|
| una habitación doble | Neutral | A general, initial request for a room for two people. | You need to be specific about beds from the start. It requires a follow-up question. |
| una habitación para dos personas | Neutral | Being very clear about the number of occupants. A great, safe alternative. | Never. This is always a clear and good option, but you still need to specify the bed type. |
| una habitación con cama matrimonial | Neutral | Specifically requesting one large bed for a couple. | You are traveling with a friend and need separate beds. |
| una habitación con dos camas | Neutral | Specifically requesting two separate beds. | You are a couple that wants to share a bed. |
📈Difficulty Level
Mostly straightforward. The silent 'h' in 'habitación' and the 'ción' sound (like 'see-OHN') are the main points for an English speaker to practice.
The grammar is very simple: it's just a noun ('habitación') followed by an adjective ('doble'). No complex structures.
The nuance is moderate. The key challenge is cultural, not linguistic: knowing that you must clarify the bed situation to avoid surprises is crucial for a smooth travel experience.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to clarify the bed type (one large vs. two small).
- Pronouncing 'habitación' correctly.
- Knowing the difference between 'habitación' and 'cuarto'.
💡Examples in Action
Quisiera reservar una habitación doble para el fin de semana, por favor.
I would like to reserve a double room for the weekend, please.
Hola, ¿tiene un cuarto para dos personas disponible para esta noche?
Hi, do you have a room for two people available for tonight?
Reservamos una habitación doble, pero necesitamos una con dos camas, no una cama matrimonial.
We reserved a double room, but we need one with two beds, not one big bed.
Disculpe, ¿cuánto cuesta la habitación doble con vista al mar?
Excuse me, how much is the double room with an ocean view?
🌍Cultural Context
The 'Doble' Ambiguity
In English, 'double room' usually just means 'for two people.' In Spanish, 'habitación doble' can be ambiguous about the beds. A hotel might assume you want one large bed. It's a very common and wise practice to immediately clarify: 'con una cama grande' (with one big bed) or 'con dos camas' (with two beds).
'Matrimonial' is Standard, Not Romantic
The term 'cama matrimonial' (matrimonial bed) might sound formal or romantic to an English speaker, but it's the standard, neutral term for a large bed designed for two people. It doesn't imply you're married; it's just the name for the bed type, like 'Queen' or 'King' in English.
Habitación vs. Cuarto
'Habitación' is the universal, slightly more formal word for a hotel room. 'Cuarto' is also very common, especially in Latin America, and can feel a bit more casual. You can't go wrong with 'habitación' anywhere, but using 'cuarto' in Mexico or Colombia will make you sound very natural.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Incorrect Word Order
Mistake: "Saying 'un doble cuarto' or 'una doble habitación'."
Correction: un cuarto doble / una habitación doble
Assuming 'Doble' Means Two Beds
Mistake: "Booking a 'habitación doble' and expecting two separate beds automatically."
Correction: Specify 'una habitación con dos camas'.
Confusing 'Cama Doble' with 'Dos Camas'
Mistake: "Using 'cama doble' when you mean 'two beds'."
Correction: Use 'dos camas' for two beds, or 'cama matrimonial' for one large bed.
💡Pro Tips
Always Clarify the Beds
This is the most important tip. After you ask for your 'habitación doble', immediately follow up with your bed preference. The two key phrases to remember are 'con una cama matrimonial' (with one big bed) or 'con dos camas' (with two beds).
Use 'Quisiera' to be Polite
When making a request, starting with 'Quisiera...' (I would like...) is much more polite and natural than 'Quiero...' (I want...). For example, 'Quisiera una habitación doble' sounds much better to a hotel employee.
When in Doubt, Use 'Para Dos Personas'
If you're ever worried about getting the term 'doble' right, just fall back on 'una habitación para dos personas' (a room for two people). It's simple, impossible to misunderstand, and works everywhere.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
'Habitación' is almost exclusively used for hotel rooms; 'cuarto' is much less common in this context compared to Latin America. The term for a large bed is often 'cama de matrimonio'.
Mexico
'Cuarto' and 'habitación' are used interchangeably and are both extremely common. 'Cama matrimonial' is the standard term for a large bed.
Argentina
In addition to 'habitación' and 'cuarto', you might occasionally hear 'pieza' for a room. The 'sh' pronunciation (known as 'sheísmo') is a key feature of Argentinian Spanish.
💬What Comes Next?
After you ask for a double room.
¿Con cama matrimonial o dos camas?
With a large bed or two beds?
Con dos camas, por favor.
With two beds, please.
The receptionist confirms they have a room.
Sí, tenemos una disponible. ¿Para cuántas noches?
Yes, we have one available. For how many nights?
Para tres noches. ¿Cuánto cuesta?
For three nights. How much does it cost?
You ask for the price.
Son ochenta euros por noche.
It's eighty euros per night.
Perfecto, la tomamos.
Perfect, we'll take it.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference from English is the ambiguity of 'double'. In English, 'double room' means it fits two people, and 'twin room' specifies two beds. In Spanish, 'habitación doble' is the starting point, and you must then specify 'con una cama matrimonial' or 'con dos camas'. This extra step of clarification is crucial in Spanish.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: While you can translate 'room' to 'cuarto' or 'habitación', in a hotel context, just saying 'un cuarto' is too vague. You need to specify the type.
Use instead: Always specify the room type, such as 'una habitación doble' or 'una habitación sencilla' (a single room).
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say a single room
This is the logical counterpart, for when you're traveling alone.
How much does it cost?
This is the most common follow-up question after asking for a room.
I have a reservation
This is essential for the check-in process at a hotel.
Does it include breakfast?
A practical question to ask when booking or checking in.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: a double room
Question 1 of 3
You and a friend are traveling together and need a room with two separate beds. What is the CLEAREST way to ask for this?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'habitación doble' and 'habitación para dos personas'?
They are very similar and often interchangeable. 'Habitación doble' is the specific hotel industry term. 'Habitación para dos personas' (a room for two people) is a more literal description. Both are perfectly understood, but after saying either, it's still a good idea to clarify if you want one bed or two.
If I ask for a 'cama doble', what will I get?
This can cause confusion. A 'cama doble' is technically a specific bed size (a 'double' or 'full'), which is often smaller than a 'cama matrimonial' (Queen/King). Some staff might also mistake it for 'dos camas' (two beds). To be safe, it's much clearer to ask for 'una cama matrimonial' or 'dos camas'.
Is 'cuarto' less formal than 'habitación'?
Yes, slightly. 'Habitación' is the universal standard for a hotel room. 'Cuarto' is also very common, especially throughout Latin America, and sounds very natural. In Spain, 'habitación' is strongly preferred for hotels.
How do I specifically ask for two twin beds?
The clearest way is to say 'una habitación con dos camas individuales' or 'con dos camas sencillas'. However, just saying 'con dos camas' is almost always sufficient, as the hotel will understand you mean two separate, smaller beds.
Will hotels understand English terms like 'King Size' or 'Twin Room'?
In major tourist destinations and large hotel chains, they most likely will. However, in smaller, local hotels or less touristy areas, they may not. It's always best and more polite to use the standard Spanish terms like 'cama matrimonial' and 'habitación con dos camas'.
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