I paid $110 extra to upgrade to a roomette on a 15-hour Amtrak ride, and the 23-square-foot space was worth it for my solo trip

• I upgraded from coach to a private roomette on Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited for an extra $110.

• I loved the bathroom amenities, provided meals, and great views that came with my roomette.

• I think it'd be a bit of a squeeze for two people, but I'd book one again for solo travel.

In January, I took a 15-hour Amtrak trip on the Lake Shore Limited from Cleveland, Ohio, to Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

I originally booked a coach ticket for $116 and put in a $110 bid to upgrade to a private roomette via Amtrak's BidUp system. I ended up winning my bid, which was an incredible deal — booking the same roomette ahead of time would've cost $500 or more.

In total, my trip cost $226 and included complimentary meals, a personal attendant, a toilet and sink in my room, ample storage space for my luggage, and maximum privacy. The upgrade was totally worth it.

The size of the room was great for a solo traveler

The roomette was about 23 square feet — not too big and not too small. I was comfortable the whole length of the trip.

Navigating the doorway and getting onto the top bunk were the only parts that felt a bit difficult to manage.

I had to swing my bags in and turn to the side to fit comfortably inside the roomette. To get to the top bunk, there was a small platform that folded over the toilet that I could stand and hoist myself up on.

I had plenty of space to sit and stretch my legs out, work on my computer, stand and rearrange my luggage, and eat, but not much more.

I also had a lot of options when it came to lighting. There were adjustable reading lights, overhead lighting, and a sink light. Additionally, I had control of the volume of the train's intercom system and the thermostat in my roomette.

I was pleasantly surprised by the in-room bathroom amenities

Having a toilet and sink in my room was a surprise to me, but I appreciated that I could use the bathroom without leaving.

I still take COVID-19 precautions seriously, especially when traveling, so it was comforting to know I wasn't sharing restroom space with anyone else.

The roomette offered great views throughout the trip

The view in my room was beautiful and kept me entertained for many hours.

Each roomette has two big windows placed so there's full visibility from both the lower and upper sections. But if you're resting and don't want to be bothered by the sun or other lights, there are full-coverage curtains that can be pulled shut.

Additional perks included free meals

I was staying in a roomette so I had access to an exclusive dining car that provided a nice respite when I wanted a change of view, more space, and good food.

I had breakfast (pancakes and sausage) and lunch (Atlantic salmon and shrimp) in the dining car. My dinner was delivered to my room by my attendant. He came around to each roomette at noon to explain the menu and made sure the meal arrived before I disembarked.

The food was a highlight of the trip, and all the people working were attentive and considerate. Because the meals were complimentary with my ticket, I made sure to tip extra.

Upgrading to a roomette was worth the extra $110, and I'd do it again

The roomette was a perfect upgrade from my coach ticket as a solo traveler.

If I was traveling with a companion, I'd probably try to upgrade to a bedroom because they have twice as much space. But roomettes could be a budget-friendly option for two people who are OK with the tighter squeeze.

I'm glad I upgraded my ticket. The complimentary meals, privacy, attentiveness of the staff, and in-room amenities made for a memorable trip.

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