Originally Posted by Train McGhee
I am planning a long trip, and I am just curious, what do people think about the roomette compared to the bedroom? Is the bedroom that much better than the roomette? WHich do you prefer, and why? I would love to hear people's opinions!
I have not used a regular bedroom, only a handicapped bedroom, so I can only compare a roomette to a handicapped bedroom.
One difference is the amount of room afforded to the traveler. In a roomettte, there are 2 across the car, with the passenger asile in between. Each bedroom is basically 3/4 of the car wide, with the asile on the side of the car.
In the roomette, you have two seats facing each other, with a table in between, during the day. At night, the table folds into the wall (this can also be done during the day if you don't want a table), the two seats fold together, and this becomes the lower berth. The upper berth lowers from the ceiling.
In the bedroom, you have a long seat (2 or 3 people wide) and a folding table next to the window, during the day. At night, the table folds out of the way and the seat folds down to become the lower berth. again the upper berth folds down from the ceiling.
I think that some bedrooms have a folding wall in between that can be opened. So if you get 2 of these, the bedroom can become a "suite" for a family.
The sleeping car attendant will change your seats into beds upon request. If convenient (late enough), I have asked this to be done while I'm at dinner. It is usually done by the time I get back!
To get into the upper berth, the traveler has to climb a ladder.
In a viewliner (single level - mostly east of Chicago) roomette (and I think beedrooms too), there is a window for the upper berth traveler, so s/he can look out at night. The superliner (bi-level - mostly west of Chicago) does not have the upper berth window.
The position of the berths require you to sleep (in relation to the train or car):
In a roomette = front to back
In a bedroom = side to side
The bedroom also has an in-room bathroom and (I think) shower in the bathroom. The roomette does not have either in the room. On a viewliner, there is a restroom and (I think) shower at the end of the car. On a superliner, the bathrooms (3 or 4 I think) on the lower level of the car.
If I have a choice, and cost in no object, I would chose the bedroom. But bedrooms cost much more. So I usually go for the roomette. For the savings, I can walk to the end of the car for the rest room.