Extra beds for hotels: a professional buying guide

Extra beds for hotels: how to choose them and when to use them

Extra beds for hotels temporarily increase a room's capacity without keeping a third bed permanently installed. They're especially useful in family hotels, resorts, aparthotels, tourist apartments, guesthouses, residences and other accommodation with variable occupancy needs.

However, choosing a professional extra bed isn't just about finding a folding model that takes up little space. The hotel must consider guest comfort, frame stability, dimensions, the mattress, ease of movement, the storage system and the work staff will need to do each time it's set up.

In this guide we explain how to choose an extra bed for a hotel, the types available, when a vertical or folding solution makes sense, how to calculate the number of units needed and what to check before buying for several rooms.

What is a hotel extra bed?

An extra bed is an auxiliary sleeping system that adds an additional place to a room when a booking requires it.

Unlike a conventional bed, it's usually designed to be easy to move and store when not in use. Depending on the model, it may have castors, a folding system, vertical storage or mechanisms that reduce the space it takes up.

Its main purpose is to give the hotel more flexibility to adapt certain rooms without permanently changing their layout.

What are extra beds used for in a hotel?

Occupancy needs change constantly. A double room may host a couple on one booking and a family with a child on the next.

Extra beds help respond to situations such as:

• Families with children.
• Triple rooms.
• Groups of friends.
• Bookings for three adults.
• Tourist apartments.
• Aparthotels.
• Family rooms.
• High-occupancy seasons.
• High-demand events.
• Accommodation with variable configurations.

The main advantage is that the bed can be set up only when a booking needs it and then returned to storage.

An extra bed is also part of the guest experience

One of the most common mistakes is treating the extra bed as a secondary item that can offer a clearly lower level of comfort than the main beds.

However, the guest sleeping in it has also paid to stay and will judge their rest in the same way.

A poor extra bed can cause:

• Complaints about discomfort.
• Noise during the night.
• Frame movement.
• Problems from a mattress that's too thin.
• A perception of lower room quality.
• Negative comments about sleep.

That's why the selection should follow professional criteria, not just price or how much space it takes up when folded.

What should a good professional extra bed have?

Feature	Why it matters
Stability	It should avoid movement and noise during sleep.
Sturdy frame	It must withstand frequent professional use.
Suitable mattress	It determines much of the guest's comfort.
Castors	They make it easier to move between storage and rooms.
Efficient storage	It reduces the space taken up when not in use.
Suitable dimensions	It must provide enough sleeping surface.
Easy setup	It reduces the time needed to prepare the room.
Simple maintenance	It makes inspections, cleaning and upkeep easier.

Types of extra beds for hotels

There are different solutions depending on the storage system and type of establishment.

The most common include:

• Vertical extra beds.
• Folding beds.
• Extra beds on castors.
• Beds with quick-opening systems.
• Beds designed to be stored in floor service rooms.

There's no single solution for every hotel. The choice mainly depends on available space, number of units, internal routes and how often they're used.

Vertical extra beds

Vertical extra beds are designed to be stored upright when not in use. This can be especially useful when the hotel needs several units and has limited storage space.

Their advantages can include:

• Less floor space taken up in storage.
• Easy organisation of several units.
• Transport on castors in models designed for it.
• Quick access when a booking requires an extra bed.

Before choosing this system, it's essential to check the available height and the bed's stability while stored.

You can browse our selection of professional extra beds for hotels.

Folding extra beds

Folding beds reduce their size when not in use thanks to a hinged system.

They're a common choice in establishments with:

• Small storerooms.
• A need to move units between floors.
• High turnover of family rooms.
• Seasonal use of extra beds.

The folding mechanism must be sturdy, easy to operate and suitable for frequent professional use.

Extra beds on castors

Castors are one of the most important features of a hotel extra bed.

Staff may have to move it from a storeroom to a room on another floor. Good castors can make daily work considerably easier.

Before choosing, consider:

• Number of castors.
• Diameter.
• Ease of turning.
• Stability.
• Performance on different floor surfaces.
• Locking option where appropriate.
• Ease of replacement.

The extra bed mattress

The mattress is one of the biggest factors in sleep quality. A good frame with an unsuitable mattress can deliver an unsatisfactory experience.

Before choosing it, check:

• Dimensions.
• Thickness.
• Firmness.
• Ventilation.
• Weight.
• Compatibility with folding or vertical storage.
• Retaining system.

In some systems, mattress thickness is limited by how the bed folds or is stored. So never buy the mattress separately without first checking compatibility.

Should the mattress be secured during storage?

Vertical or mobile models may need a system that keeps the mattress in place while being moved.

Straps or retaining systems help prevent the mattress from moving or falling while staff transport the bed.

Before moving each unit, always check that the retaining system is properly fitted.

What size should an extra bed be?

There's no single right size. The aim should be to provide a comfortable enough sleeping surface without compromising movement around the room.

Before deciding on size, consider:

• Usable floor area of the room.
• Free space next to the main beds.
• Door opening.
• Wardrobe opening.
• Bathroom access.
• Circulation around the bed.
• Furniture placement.

It's important to do a real layout test before deciding that a given room type can take an extra bed.

Where to place an extra bed?

The extra bed should be set up in a space where the guest can use it comfortably and necessary routes stay clear.

It should not:

• Block doors.
• Make bathroom access difficult.
• Prevent wardrobes from opening.
• Obstruct exits or escape routes.
• Excessively reduce passage between furniture.
• Interfere with installations or fixed elements.

Not every room in a hotel needs to accept an extra bed. In many cases it's more efficient to define in advance which room types are prepared for it.

Extra beds for triple rooms

One of the most common uses is turning certain double rooms into triples where the layout allows.

This flexibility can be especially useful in:

• City hotels.
• Holiday hotels.
• Resorts.
• Guesthouses.
• Aparthotels.
• Residences.

However, the decision should take into account both the space available and the guest's final experience.

Extra beds for families

Families are one of the main reasons for keeping extra beds in an establishment.

Before defining your family room strategy, consider:

• Children's typical ages.
• Number of family rooms.
• Seasons with the highest demand.
• History of extra bed requests.
• Available space.
• Maximum authorised capacity of each room.

With this data, you can calculate much more accurately how many extra beds the hotel really needs.

How many extra beds does a hotel need?

It's not advisable to calculate the quantity simply by applying a fixed percentage to the number of rooms.

It's much more useful to analyse real data such as:

• Number of requests in the past year.
• Demand peaks.
• Family seasons.
• Number of compatible rooms.
• Average booking length.
• Events and groups.
• Storage capacity.

The aim is to have enough units to meet normal demand without keeping excess equipment idle in storage.

How to organise extra bed storage

When a hotel has several units, storage becomes part of daily operations. Having space isn't enough: beds must be easy to locate, move and use to prepare a room quickly when needed.

A good storage area should allow you to:

• Store beds without deforming them.
• Keep internal routes clear.
• Access each unit quickly.
• Separate available beds from those awaiting inspection.
• Identify each unit when the hotel has a large inventory.
• Keep mattresses and frames in good condition.

In large hotels it can be useful to spread beds across several floor service rooms to reduce staff travel.

Measure doors, corridors and lifts before buying

An extra bed may be the right size for the room but still impractical if it can't be moved easily through the building.

Before buying several units, measure:

• Storeroom doors.
• Room doors.
• Corridor widths.
• Lift interior dimensions.
• Service entrances.
• Turns and changes of direction.
• Ramps or changes in level.

This is especially important in older buildings, boutique hotels, rural properties or establishments with small lifts.

Why extra bed weight matters

Weight directly affects how easy the bed is to move and handle. A very sturdy bed may offer excellent stability but be hard to move without a suitable castor system.

That's why it's worth considering together:

• Total weight.
• Number of castors.
• Ease of turning.
• Weight distribution.
• Height during transport.
• Opening system.

The aim is to find a balance between structural strength and ease of handling.

Extra beds and housekeeping

Housekeeping is usually one of the main users of extra beds, as it's involved in setting them up, removing them or coordinating with other hotel teams.

A poor choice can increase the time needed to prepare a room and cause unnecessary trips.

Before choosing a model, ask the team:

• Is it easy to move?
• Can one person handle it when appropriate?
• Is the opening system intuitive?
• Is the bed stable once set up?
• Is it easy to put the bed linen on?
• Can the area around and under it be cleaned properly?
• Does the mattress stay secured during transport?

Involving housekeeping staff in the testing phase can help detect operational problems before a major purchase.

How long should it take to set up an extra bed?

There's no universal time, but the process should be simple and repeatable. The more steps needed to open, place, prepare and later remove it, the higher the accumulated operating cost.

In hotels with many family rooms, it's worth assessing the time needed to:

• Collect the bed from storage.
• Move it to the room.
• Open or position it.
• Prepare the mattress.
• Make up the bed.
• Remove it after the stay.
• Clean it and return it to storage.

A difference of a few minutes per unit can add up to many hours of work over a season.

Extra bed maintenance

Extra beds should be checked regularly, especially when used seasonally or stored for long periods.

A basic maintenance plan can include:

• Frame inspection.
• Checking joints and reinforcements.
• Checking castors.
• Checking the folding system.
• Inspecting retaining straps.
• Checking the mattress.
• Checking fabrics and finishes.
• Cleaning before returning to storage.

Any unit showing damage or loss of stability should be taken out of service until inspected.

How to look after an extra bed mattress

The mattress also needs maintenance even if the bed isn't used every day.

It's advisable to:

• Check its condition regularly.
• Avoid storing it damp.
• Keep it properly secured.
• Avoid deformation during storage.
• Check fabric and seams.
• Follow the manufacturer's specific recommendations.

Find out more in our guide on how to choose a hotel mattress.

Extra beds for 3-star hotels

In three-star hotels it's usually important to balance cost, durability and comfort.

The extra bed should be sturdy, easy to move and offer a level of rest consistent with the establishment's standards.

Prioritise:

• Stability.
• Ease of use.
• Good value for money.
• Efficient storage.
• A mattress suitable for professional use.

Extra beds for 4-star hotels

In a four-star hotel, the extra bed should blend better with the room's overall experience.

As well as functionality, pay attention to:

• Mattress comfort.
• Frame stability.
• No noise.
• Quality of finishes.
• Ease of making up.
• How it looks in the room.

Extra beds for 5-star hotels

In high-end establishments, an extra bed shouldn't feel clearly inferior to the rest of the sleep system.

The selection should pay special attention to:

• Comfort.
• Dimensions.
• Mattress quality.
• Stability.
• Silence during use.
• Finishes.
• Presentation with bed linen.

In premium rooms, it's also worth checking how the extra bed affects the look of the room and circulation space.

Extra beds for city hotels

City hotels may host families at weekends, groups, business travellers or bookings for three adults. Having some rooms ready for a third guest can increase commercial flexibility.

In this type of establishment it's especially important that the bed can be moved quickly between floors and takes up little space when not in use.

Extra beds for resorts and holiday hotels

Resorts and holiday hotels usually see higher demand for family rooms. In these cases, extra beds can be a regular part of operations.

It's worth planning:

• Number of units.
• Distribution between buildings or floors.
• Storerooms.
• Setup schedules.
• Peak demand seasons.
• Preventive maintenance.

Poor planning can lead to a shortage of units precisely at the busiest times.

Extra beds for aparthotels and tourist apartments

Aparthotels and tourist apartments usually need flexible configurations because they host families and groups on stays of different lengths.

An extra bed can help make better use of certain apartments without permanently changing the furniture.

The choice should pay special attention to:

• Comfort over several nights.
• Ease of storage.
• Dimensions.
• Strength.
• Transport within the building.
• How it fits with the rest of the furniture.

Extra beds for rural hotels and small properties

In small establishments, storage space is usually more limited. So the bed's dimensions when folded or stored can matter as much as its size when open.

Access should also be studied carefully, especially in restored buildings with narrow stairs, small doors or no lift.

What does an extra bed really cost a hotel?

Cost shouldn't be judged on purchase price alone. An extra bed generates operating costs and savings throughout its life.

Consider:

• Purchase price.
• Mattress, if not included.
• Transport.
• Storage.
• Setup and removal time.
• Maintenance.
• Possible spare parts.
• Estimated service life.
• Extra revenue from selling a third place.

A cheaper bed that's hard to move, not very sturdy or uncomfortable can cost more in the medium term than a better-suited professional solution.

How to calculate the profitability of extra beds

To assess the investment, it can be useful to compare the total cost with the revenue generated by extra places.

The hotel can analyse:

• Average price charged per extra bed.
• Number of nights used per year.
• Laundry and setup cost.
• Maintenance cost.
• Expected service life.

This analysis helps determine a reasonable number of units and what level of investment can be justified.

Is it worth testing an extra bed before buying several?

Yes. In projects with a significant number of units, it can be very useful to test a bed in real conditions first.

The test should assess:

• Ease of transport.
• Passage through doors and lifts.
• Opening and closing.
• Stability.
• Comfort.
• Final height.
• Setup by housekeeping.
• Space taken up in the room.
• Storage.

A real test can reveal problems that aren't obvious from a spec sheet alone.

Most common mistakes when choosing hotel extra beds

Choosing an extra bed on price alone is one of the most common mistakes in hotels, aparthotels and tourist accommodation. Even if used occasionally, it should offer a level of comfort in line with the rest of the room's equipment.

The most common mistakes include:

• Choosing on price alone.
• Not checking mattress comfort.
• Not measuring doors, lifts and corridors properly.
• Not considering the storage space needed.
• Choosing an unstable frame.
• Not checking the folding system.
• Not analysing housekeeping's work.
• Not planning maintenance.
• Buying more units than really needed.
• Not testing a unit first.
• Using domestic beds in a professional setting.
• Not studying the profitability of extra places.

Checklist before buying extra beds for a hotel

• □ Define the number of compatible rooms.
• □ Analyse the history of requests.
• □ Choose suitable dimensions.
• □ Check mattress comfort.
• □ Check frame stability.
• □ Check the folding system.
• □ Measure doors, lifts and corridors.
• □ Check storage space.
• □ Analyse housekeeping's work.
• □ Define a maintenance plan.
• □ Consider a preliminary test.
• □ Request a proposal for the whole project.

How to choose the right extra bed for your hotel

There's no single solution for every establishment. The choice will depend on the type of hotel, the number of family rooms, available space, guest profile and how often extra beds will be used.

Before making a decision, consider together:

• The frame.
• The mattress.
• The dimensions.
• The folding system.
• The castors.
• Storage.
• Ease of transport.
• The hotel's daily operations.

A professional extra bed should make staff's work easier and give guests rest comparable to a conventional bed.

Discover our professional extra beds

At Todo Para Tu Hotel we have solutions designed specifically for hotels, aparthotels, resorts, tourist apartments, residences and other contract projects.

Find out more:

• Extra beds for hotels.
• How to choose hotel beds.
• How to choose a hotel mattress.
• Lifting beds for hotels.
• Bed and mattress lifting systems.

If you're equipping a new establishment or refurbishing an existing hotel's rooms, we can help you select the most suitable solution based on the number of rooms, expected occupancy and your project's operational needs.

Frequently asked questions about hotel extra beds

What is a hotel extra bed?

It's an auxiliary bed designed to add an extra place when a booking requires it. It increases the capacity of certain rooms without permanently changing their layout.

When is it worth using an extra bed?

Mainly in family rooms, triples, tourist apartments, aparthotels and accommodation where occupancy varies by booking type.

Which type of extra bed takes up least space?

Folding beds and vertical-storage beds are usually the most efficient options when storage space is limited.

What mattress should an extra bed have?

It should offer a suitable level of comfort and be fully compatible with the frame, folding system or vertical storage of the chosen model.

How many extra beds does a hotel need?

It will depend on the number of compatible rooms, the history of family bookings, average occupancy and the space available to store them.

Is it important to have castors?

Yes. A good castor system makes it easier to move beds between storerooms and rooms and reduces staff effort.

How should they be stored?

They should be kept in clean, dry areas, protected from knocks and damp, with quick access when needed.

Is it worth testing a bed before buying several units?

Yes. A preliminary test lets you check stability, comfort, ease of transport and how it fits into the hotel's rooms.

Can a domestic bed be used in a hotel?

It's not ideal. Professional beds are built for intensive use and offer greater strength, stability and durability.

Can I request a personalised quote?

Yes. At Todo Para Tu Hotel we prepare proposals tailored to the number of rooms, type of establishment and each project's specific needs.