Bedroom or roomette, if single and the cost is not an issue?

[Manny T]

On the noise front--once I was assigned a roomette on the lower level. The family room was occupied by a family with kids and the grandparents were in a roomette also on the lower level. They kept their doors open, they chatted back and forth, and the kids romped in the hall. It was so noisy I asked the conductor to move me to a roomette upstairs if he could, and he did. My conclusion: never book or accept a roomette on the lower level, due to the possibility of family/kids in the family room.

That said, the same can happen upstairs--families in roomettes, doors open, kids playing in the hall. So it's basically the luck of the draw. Still I would opt NOT to be on the lower level on a Superliner.

 

[cpotisch]

Worst choice is the H Room on Superliners!

I don't think so. I've taken the H-Room a few times with my (now 86-year-old) father. We liked it.

To me, the worst choice is airline coach...or Greyhound!

[rant] It's better than coach, but it's worse in every way than a Bedroom, and worse in almost every way (it does have a sink and toilet) than a Family Bedroom. And even Roomettes have the full length window going for them. In my opinion, the H room is just a combination of wasted space, a bad layout, minimal bathroom privacy and, and uncomfortable sleeping accommodations. Granted, it's the only room on the lower level with space for a wheelchair, but that's really it's only purpose. Passengers with limited mobility who don't use wheelchairs don't need it, and passengers without limited mobility really don't need it. [/rant]

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Worst choice is the H Room on Superliners!

I don't think so. I've taken the H-Room a few times with my (now 86-year-old) father. We liked it.

To me, the worst choice is airline coach...or Greyhound!

[rant] It's better than coach, but it's worse in every way than a Bedroom, and worse in almost every way (it does have a sink and toilet) than a Family Bedroom. And even Roomettes have the full length window going for them. In my opinion, the H room is just a combination of wasted space, a bad layout, minimal bathroom privacy and, and uncomfortable sleeping accommodations. Granted, it's the only room on the lower level with space for a wheelchair, but that's really it's only purpose. Passengers with limited mobility who don't use wheelchairs don't need it, and passengers without limited mobility really don't need it. [/rant]

Have you ridden in the H room?

 

[cpotisch]

Worst choice is the H Room on Superliners!

I don't think so. I've taken the H-Room a few times with my (now 86-year-old) father. We liked it.

To me, the worst choice is airline coach...or Greyhound!

[rant] It's better than coach, but it's worse in every way than a Bedroom, and worse in almost every way (it does have a sink and toilet) than a Family Bedroom. And even Roomettes have the full length window going for them. In my opinion, the H room is just a combination of wasted space, a bad layout, minimal bathroom privacy and, and uncomfortable sleeping accommodations. Granted, it's the only room on the lower level with space for a wheelchair, but that's really it's only purpose. Passengers with limited mobility who don't use wheelchairs don't need it, and passengers without limited mobility really don't need it. [/rant]

Have you ridden in the H room?

Haven't been booked in it, but when I was on #422 in the Family Bedroom, the H room was open for a large portion of the trip. The SCA said it was fine for me to take a look in, sit down, etc, so I got a pretty good sense of the features and layout, and it did not strike me as a good layout. Of course, I didn't sleep in it or try out the beds, but I have done so in a Superliner Roomette before, which has the exact same sleeping layout. The roomette sleeping situation is fine for an entry-level sleeper option like a roomette, but in my opinion it's not in a room with buckets at least as high as that of a Bedroom or Family Bedroom. So I'm not a fan.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Worst choice is the H Room on Superliners!

I don't think so. I've taken the H-Room a few times with my (now 86-year-old) father. We liked it.

To me, the worst choice is airline coach...or Greyhound!

[rant] It's better than coach, but it's worse in every way than a Bedroom, and worse in almost every way (it does have a sink and toilet) than a Family Bedroom. And even Roomettes have the full length window going for them. In my opinion, the H room is just a combination of wasted space, a bad layout, minimal bathroom privacy and, and uncomfortable sleeping accommodations. Granted, it's the only room on the lower level with space for a wheelchair, but that's really it's only purpose. Passengers with limited mobility who don't use wheelchairs don't need it, and passengers without limited mobility really don't need it. [/rant]

Have you ridden in the H room?

Not exactly, but last time I was on a Superliner I was in the Family Bedroom and the H room was open for a large portion of the trip. The SCA said I could take a look in, sit down, etc, and while that's not a particularly thorough test, it did not seem like a good set up. And I have taken a Superliner Roomette before, which has the exact same bed set up. That sleeping layout is fine for an entry-level sleeper option like a roomette, but given the H room buckets tend to be at least as high as that of a Bedroom or Family Bedroom, I'm not a fan.

You can’t even book the H room till 2 weeks before departure date unless you qualify. For those who qualify, it’s the same price as a roomette.

 

[cpotisch]

Worst choice is the H Room on Superliners!

I don't think so. I've taken the H-Room a few times with my (now 86-year-old) father. We liked it.

To me, the worst choice is airline coach...or Greyhound!

[rant] It's better than coach, but it's worse in every way than a Bedroom, and worse in almost every way (it does have a sink and toilet) than a Family Bedroom. And even Roomettes have the full length window going for them. In my opinion, the H room is just a combination of wasted space, a bad layout, minimal bathroom privacy and, and uncomfortable sleeping accommodations. Granted, it's the only room on the lower level with space for a wheelchair, but that's really it's only purpose. Passengers with limited mobility who don't use wheelchairs don't need it, and passengers without limited mobility really don't need it. [/rant]

Have you ridden in the H room?

Not exactly, but last time I was on a Superliner I was in the Family Bedroom and the H room was open for a large portion of the trip. The SCA said I could take a look in, sit down, etc, and while that's not a particularly thorough test, it did not seem like a good set up. And I have taken a Superliner Roomette before, which has the exact same bed set up. That sleeping layout is fine for an entry-level sleeper option like a roomette, but given the H room buckets tend to be at least as high as that of a Bedroom or Family Bedroom, I'm not a fan.

You can’t even book the H room till 2 weeks before departure date unless you qualify. For those who qualify, it’s the same price as a roomette.

I actually didn't know that the H room costs the same as a roomette for disabled passengers, but even so, the main context here was primarily just figuring out the most comfortable accommodation for able bodied passengers. And when I've looked, booking the H room for someone who isn't disabled has consistently been at least as expensive as the Bedroom and Family Bedroom.

 

[Skyline]

What we really need is a reasonably priced no-frills, no meals single or double accommodation akin to the Slumbercoaches of the past. Those were always my first choice when I was younger and on a budget. Privacy, functionality, and I could bring my own food or purchase whatever I wanted and could afford in the club car or diner. I'd still consider those today even though I could afford a roomette or bedroom.

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

I like the roomette on a Viewliner--for one person, it is fine. I have not tried a regular bedroom on a Superliner but would like to. I had the family bedroom both ways on the Empire Builder. It was nice to have four bottles of water, four towels, and four washcloths (I gave a couple of sets away to a couple who asked). However, I found it a bit bumpy--it must be over or near the wheels?

 

[cpotisch]

I like the roomette on a Viewliner--for one person, it is fine. I have not tried a regular bedroom on a Superliner but would like to. I had the family bedroom both ways on the Empire Builder. It was nice to have four bottles of water, four towels, and four washcloths (I gave a couple of sets away to a couple who asked). However, I found it a bit bumpy--it must be over or near the wheels?

It's right next to the trucks. Because the floors on Superliners are so low, they can't have anything right over the wheels. That's also why the lower level is around half the length of the upper level. However, most people's experiences seem to indicate that the lower level is usually less bumpy than the upper level. Did it seem any less bumpy on the upper level?

 

[zephyr17]

I travel single a lot. For me the roomette is fine and I don't have a problem with the common restrooms and shower. However, the one draw of the bedroom for me is the bed is much more comfortable, wider and a better mattress.

Drawback of the bedroom is that the couch could be facing backward and the little seat is pretty uncomfortable.

 

[cpotisch]

However, the one draw of the bedroom for me is the bed is much more comfortable, wider and a better mattress.

I'm pretty sure the mattresses are the exact same material and quality. The bed is a foot wider but I don't think it's better in any other metric.

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

cpotisch, I did find the lower level of the Superliner bumpier than the upper level, but maybe I was just assuming it would be that way so thought myself into it.

 

[the_traveler]

The trucks on a Superliner is just behind the wall in the Family Room on one end, and just behind the wall of the H-Room on the other end of the car.

 

[cpotisch]

Why is it that the Family Bedroom and the H room get the tiny square windows? Something to do with the structural position of the room?

 

[the_traveler]

Actually they get the same amount of window space as any other room. The only difference is they both have windows on both sides of the car. Each window is about 1/2 the size of the windows in roomettes or bedrooms.

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

I actually liked the windows in the family bedroom, because you can choose which side to look out of and have a choice of all the scenery you are passing.

 

[cpotisch]

I actually liked the windows in the family bedroom, because you can choose which side to look out of and have a choice of all the scenery you are passing.

I love that that they're on both sides of the train, but I'm exactly fond of how small each one is.

 

[cpotisch]

Actually they get the same amount of window space as any other room. The only difference is they both have windows on both sides of the car. Each window is about 1/2 the size of the windows in roomettes or bedrooms.

But is there any reason why they chose to fit tiny windows to both sides? I can't imagine the designers just felt that the total window area had to be identical between each room.

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

Well, it kind of depends on what you're looking at. When I wanted a lovely sweeping view of the gorgeous Columbia River, I grant you that the windows were too small, and I went to the SSL to look at it.

But when we were going through gigantic mountains that soared up out of one window and then I looked out of the other window and--yikes, we're right on the edge--I was really happy to have small windows as I pulled the curtains and put the blanket over my head and closed my eyes!

(Remember, I'm from flat NJ, and wasn't used to anything higher than the ancient, low mountains of PA or VA, for example.)

 

[cpotisch]

Well, it kind of depends on what you're looking at. When I wanted a lovely sweeping view of the gorgeous Columbia River, I grant you that the windows were too small, and I went to the SSL to look at it.

But when we were going through gigantic mountains that soared up out of one window and then I looked out of the other window and--yikes, we're right on the edge--I was really happy to have small windows as I pulled the curtains and put the blanket over my head and closed my eyes!

(Remember, I'm from flat NJ, and wasn't used to anything higher than the ancient, low mountains of PA or VA, for example.)

Might I ask, are you scared of heights, not used to them, or both?

 

[Dakota 400]

Once, I had a H Bedroom on a Superliner due to a screw-up in my Bedroom reservation caused by my travel agent. The H Room was the only Bedroom left on that trip (and we were fortunate to get that). I found it satisfactory although for two people, a regular bedroom is better. As a solo, I prefer a roomette.

A Question: in the Viewliner roomette, if the upper bed is in place, is there enough room to stand up under it without hitting your head when the room is still in day time mode?

 

[JRR]

Once, I had a H Bedroom on a Superliner due to a screw-up in my Bedroom reservation caused by my travel agent. The H Room was the only Bedroom left on that trip (and we were fortunate to get that). I found it satisfactory although for two people, a regular bedroom is better. As a solo, I prefer a roomette.

A Question: in the Viewliner roomette, if the upper bed is in place, is there enough room to stand up under it without hitting your head when the room is still in day time mode?

No room to stand up under it but a small area by the door where you can stand.

 

[SarahZ]

Superliners:

If they were the exact same price, I would definitely pick the bedroom. I like having the extra space, couch, and chair, and I love having my own shower and bathroom.

I never had an issue with the post-shower-wet-bathroom thing everyone mentions. I kept the toilet seat lid closed so the seat wouldn't get soaked. After I took my shower, I used an extra washcloth to wipe down the top of the toilet and a small portion of the walls. It took about fifteen seconds. The toilet paper didn't get wet because it had that protective metal thing over it and I took care not to splash too much. As for the floor being damp, it wasn't a big deal because I had shoes on. I also left the door open to help it air dry quicker.

I've never noticed noise from the neighbors. I tend to notice quite a bit more noise when I'm in a roomette. Most of it depends on the people in the car, though. I've had quiet neighbors, and I've had noisy neighbors. It really is the luck of the draw. I do try to book a roomette in the middle, though, to prevent noise from the stairs and door.

As you mentioned, spinnaker, you may have noticed more noise simply because you were stopped. I always notice every single little noise when the train is at a dead stop and the HVAC isn't running.

Viewliners:

I've never been in a Viewliner bedroom, so I can't speak to those. I will say that I prefer Viewliner roomettes over Superliner roomettes, though. The extra set of windows and white walls make the room feel so much bigger and brighter, and there are so many air vents that I was able to chill myself to the bone during a hot July day.

I imagine I'd probably take a bedroom over a roomette for the reasons mentioned above. Again, I would only do this if the price were the same.

 

[dogbert617]

Speaking of Superliner roomette assigned rooms, is there a good youtube video out there that explains the pros and cons of each of those regular roomette rooms? Or if one of you guys could say the pros and cons of some of the assigned roomette rooms(i.e. if one gets more noise than another room, etc)? Down the road I may try an Amtrak sleeper for my 1st time ever(likely on one of the Superliner long distance routes west of Chicago), hence why I'd like to educate myself better on this issue. Thanks to anyone who can help me out.

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

cpotisch,

To answer your question in post #45 (I can't do the quote function on this computer), I am afraid of heights and always have been. However, when I thought back on the trip, I realized it was mostly the complete barren landscape out there that got to me (no foliage on the mountains--I think they had just had fires as well, which probably made them look even more stark), no people, and not even a mountain goat coming out for a photo op.

I was relatively fine in the mountains on the Coast Starlight--they had trees, and sometimes you would see a work crew, so it didn't feel like you were out there all by yourself.