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What is a Pension Hotel?

A. Leverkuhn
A. Leverkuhn

A pension hotel is a specific type of “boarding house” in European countries. The term comes from the old French pension, which generally refers to room and board costs. In Europe, the word pension is used for payments to retired workers, as it is in the U.S., but it is also a term for a cheaper hotel or lodging.

A European pension house is often much less expensive than a full-scale hotel, and are more akin to a bed and breakfast, small motel. Do keep in mind that the European pensions are priced in terms of the regional Euro currency, and the difference between the Euro and other currency values can change the final cost of the pension hotel stay, depending upon one's country of origin.

Many European pension hotels offer rooms with multiple beds.
Many European pension hotels offer rooms with multiple beds.

Many of the European pension hotels offer options for sleeping in room with multiple beds. This can make prices much lower, but security and comfort issues often apply. Guests often ask themselves whether their sleep will be impaired by strangers arriving late at night or snoring. It’s also a good idea to get a pension hotel bed with a locker to keep valuables, since other travelers have access to the same rooms.

Pension hotels may offer a private room, but the bathrooms are usually shared.
Pension hotels may offer a private room, but the bathrooms are usually shared.

Another issue with cheap pension hotel offers is that some of these can be “black market” lodgings. Some business people in large European cities operate these hotels, pensions, or “hostels” without the usual paperwork and governmental oversight. Travelers should be sure to ask for proof of legitimacy to be sure their hotel is complaint with safety inspections. It’s especially important to check into the legitimacy of a pension or hostel if the staff ask for a passport as collateral during the stay.

Most pension hotels require guests to provide their own towels and soap, which helps to bring down the cost of the stay.
Most pension hotels require guests to provide their own towels and soap, which helps to bring down the cost of the stay.

In general, the lower prices of European pension hotels make them very attractive to travelers to might have a fixed budget or those who want to stay “close to the action” in vibrant city neighborhoods. Lots of today’s pension hotels have Internet booking options, which makes them all the more accessible and convenient. Travelers can also see reviews online about the safety, cleanliness, and other aspects of a local pension hotel.

Pension hotels in Europe are similar to bed and breakfast hotels in the U.S.
Pension hotels in Europe are similar to bed and breakfast hotels in the U.S.

Many travelers find a pension hotel to be an affordable part of a vacation budget. In terms of business stays, a pension hotel can generally be claimed as a lodging expense and may save the employer a whole lot of money over conventional hotel options. Finding the best pension will help give a traveler more overall choices for short term or even long term lodgings.

Discussion Comments

Feryll

My friends and I love to travel and pension hotels are a great way to get more out of your trips. I would rather save as much money as possible on rooms when I travel, and that way I have more money to spend on other activities. Just below the price of flying, places to stay are one of the top travel expenses.

I have had nothing but positive experiences when staying in pension hotels and I highly recommend them if you are just looking for a clean safe place to lay your head for the night.

You might also want to consider couch surfing as a means of saving a few dollars on accommodations when you are traveling. Couch surfing refers to the practice of staying in the homes of people who offer you boarding for a minimal charge or in exchange for a place to stay when they travel to your area.

When you go online you can find a network of people who participate in couch surfing. I'm sure this is not for everyone, but it is an option when you want to save money.

Animandel

Before reading this article, I thought pension hotels were housing units for older retired people. The name is misleading. I am more familiar with the term hostels.

The first time I heard the term hostels I was talking with some people I had just met from England. At the time, I didn't like the sound of the hostels as they describe them, and instead of staying in them when I went to Europe, I searched out the best traditional hotel deals, even if they were a bit more than the pension hotels.

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    • Many European pension hotels offer rooms with multiple beds.
      By: Carson Liu
      Many European pension hotels offer rooms with multiple beds.
    • Pension hotels may offer a private room, but the bathrooms are usually shared.
      By: Alexander Gitlits
      Pension hotels may offer a private room, but the bathrooms are usually shared.
    • Most pension hotels require guests to provide their own towels and soap, which helps to bring down the cost of the stay.
      By: Inger Anne Hulbækdal
      Most pension hotels require guests to provide their own towels and soap, which helps to bring down the cost of the stay.
    • Pension hotels in Europe are similar to bed and breakfast hotels in the U.S.
      By: Jeffrey Zalesny
      Pension hotels in Europe are similar to bed and breakfast hotels in the U.S.