bunks

Bunk beds are not just a trend for hip and cool boutique hotels anymore; you can increasingly find them in luxury accommodation.

Granted, some guests only choose bunk rooms for economic reasons, and some families may only prefer a bunk room to a traditional family suite because of the value it offers, but there are some who like retiring to a luxury suite with a private balcony, bespoke linens and two sets of queen-size bunk beds!
In response to the trend for bunk beds, some luxury hotels have reconfigured some of their guestrooms, taking a chance on bunk beds and surprisingly they have been a hit. For those guests who wish to harken back to their youth, this room option is fun-filled as it brings back the spirit of pyjama parties and overnight revelry! For large families and budget travellers, these bunk rooms can make travel much more affordable because bunk beds allow several people to stay together for a fraction of the cost of booking multiple rooms.
Services like Airbnb also accommodate groups and often use bunk rooms to offer extra cost-efficiency without giving up prime locations and now many regular hotels are banking on the appeal of bunk rooms too.
Bunk beds are no longer just for youth hostels, holiday parks and family rooms; some of the trendiest, most luxurious hotels in the world have added single, double or queen bunk beds to inspire friendship and memories that will last a lifetime. These are not your average budget accommodation providers either, some of the bunks offer safety, maximum comfort and come equipped with LED TVs, wireless connections and, of course, nostalgia!
Family hotels, hostels and smaller accommodation providers have always recognised the benefits of adding extra beds to small spaces. The average backpacker may not be too concerned about the comfort, or indeed safety, of their bunk bed but the increasing number of families and posh-packers who are now travelling on a budget are looking for comfort and peace of mind but their primary concern is always safety… 

CHILDREN: DANGER

Consumer Protection Online warns of the dangerous injuries that can occur due to unsafe bunk bed use, most commonly when children fall from the top bunk. Children can also get stuck in gaps or get their clothes caught on tall corner posts. This may lead to serious or even fatal injuries.
The site states: “There is an Australian/New Zealand product standard that applies to bunk beds – AS/NZS 4220:2010. This standard is voluntary and addresses the design and construction of bunk beds. While this standard is not mandatory, trading standards strongly advocates compliance with the standard.”
Accommodation providers need to take note that bunk beds are not suitable for children under nine years of age. They need to ensure that all ladders and guardrails are fixed and stable, check regularly for wear-and-tear and always repair any damage immediately.
They should also make sure that the mattress is suitable for the bunk bed, with no gap. And if replacing a mattress, make sure to check the proportions in relation to the height of the guardrail. Also, make sure that a bunk bed is always placed in a safe position away from windows, window cords and well away from fans.
Top bunks should have guardrails or bed-ends on all sides and the guardrails should be smooth and free from protrusions or potential snag points, with no gaps of 95mm to 230mm in any part on the bunk beds, including guardrail rungs on ladders. This is to ensure that small bodies cannot fit through but heads can still get stuck.
Once an accommodation provider has ensured that they are buying a safe product from a quality supplier that will fit into the designated space, they can consider design, style and combinations. Double or single bunks or a combination? What will best meet your needs?
For a List of 10 things to consider when purchasing a Bunk Bed click here for the full article on Accom News