| Most of us have a pretty good idea that there are a | | | | than a dozen rooms or so. There may not be as |
| number of different styles of hotels to be considered | | | | many hotel deals on this type of property, but it |
| when planning a vacation. However, there are some | | | | might be worth a phone call or email to the owner to |
| important but subtle differences that are not always | | | | learn about specials if not shown online. |
| obvious to the casual observer. Knowing the | | | | Towards the top of the range would be the resort |
| differences can help you make a better decision as | | | | hotel. These are usually found at a vacation |
| to how you spend your money and vacation time, | | | | destination like Southern California, Hawaii, Mexico and |
| and may help you find more attractive hotel deals. | | | | a vast number of other places around the world. The |
| Starting with the simple, there is the motor hotel, or | | | | usual features of a full-service hotel are common and |
| "motel." These became very popular as the national | | | | these are often marketed as convention destinations |
| highway system developed in the 1950s and 1960s, | | | | with large ballrooms as well as the smaller meeting |
| as the facilities were usually clean, offered a | | | | rooms. A gift shop, multiple restaurants, and outdoor |
| swimming pool for the kids and often were located | | | | activities are hallmarks. Beach-oriented resort hotels |
| near affordable restaurants and freeway offramps. | | | | will likely employ young people to help with family |
| Motels usually have doors that open to the outside, | | | | beach or pool activities and an activities desk can |
| and guests park near their rooms. In more recent | | | | book adventures for guests. These properties often |
| years the industry is moving away from this concept | | | | offer online hotel deals or may be included in package |
| as travelers seem to wish for the security of interior | | | | travel deals. |
| corridors and slightly more upscale features. | | | | The luxury hotel caters to those who demand the |
| Next would be the limited service hotels. These | | | | highest level of service and the highest quality of |
| typically offer interior entrances and a pool, perhaps | | | | facility. These facilities may appeal to people who |
| a fitness room. Some have meeting rooms and offer | | | | aren't even looking for hotel deals. Some resort |
| a free breakfast; the free food in the morning can | | | | hotels are also luxury hotels. The bellman is expected |
| result in these being pretty economical hotel deals. | | | | to greet the visitor under the port cochere and |
| They may be affiliated with a brand or may be | | | | discretely get their name if possible. The guest is |
| independent. | | | | introduced to the desk clerk who refers to them by |
| The full-service hotel will generally offer everything | | | | name as they are checked in. Room service is a |
| found at a limited service facility, and is more likely to | | | | must, of course. Sometimes little free goodies are |
| include the fitness room, a business center where | | | | offered such as snacks at night. Assistance with local |
| computers are available to guests. It will probably | | | | golf or other activities is a common amenity. Of |
| have meeting rooms and maybe a small gift shop. An | | | | course you pay for what you get, and a luxury hotel |
| onsite restaurant is another regular feature. A | | | | room can cost $1,000 per night at many facilities, |
| concierge is typically available to help with dinner plans | | | | even if you find travel deals. |
| and other important details. | | | | There are extended-stay hotels, pet-friendly hotels, |
| A bed and breakfast is ideally a charming residence | | | | even some rather unusual hotels such as ice hotels. |
| or at least was designed to have a homey feel to it. | | | | The latter are found in Scandinavian countries and in |
| The operators generally have the gift hospitality and | | | | Canada. Hotels (more likely motels) have been built as |
| love having guests relaxing with wine and snacks in | | | | teepees, a 747 jetliner (Sweden) and treehouses |
| the afternoon and possibly even dinner. The next | | | | (such as in Masinagudi, India). You can Google "unusual |
| morning usually involves what could be a full gourmet | | | | hotels of the world" and find out lots more |
| breakfast or brunch. Some bed and breakfast | | | | information about the strange ideas people have had |
| facilities offer separate bathrooms but they are | | | | about what make for great hotel deals. |
| often shared. It is unusual to find a B &B with more | | | | |