There are many different types of hotels around the world, which make up an important part of the tourism industry.
The type of hotel that a person requires will depend on several different factors. If someone is travelling on business to New York they will have different needs and requirements compared to a family taking a two week summer sun holiday in Spain, for example. Types of hotels also vary depending on budget- some cost considerably more than others!
This article explains the different types of hotels found in the tourism industry, how hotel star ratings work, and what to expect from each type of hotel.
What is a hotel?
Before looking at types of hotels, it is important to establish exactly what a hotel is.
A hotel is a type of accommodation. It is defined as being an establishment providing accommodation, meals, and other services for travellers and tourists.
Hotels aim to be somewhere where people can stay whilst away from home, whether this is for business or leisure purposes. Hotels are for short-term lets. This can be just one night or a couple of weeks; it is unusual to stay in a hotel for much longer, although some people have. Coco Chanel famously lived at the Ritz in Paris for more than 30 years, and Bob Dylan lived in the Hotel Chelsea in New York City.
There are so many different types of hotels. Below you’ll find information about the various hotel types, and their place within the tourism and hospitality industry.
Depending on the type of holiday or trip, it is important to understand the different hotel types in order to choose the right one. Travellers looking for luxury are unlikely to choose a hostel, for example, while those without a car may find that a motel is not the most convenient option.
The importance of hotels in the tourism industry
Before looking at the different types, it is worth emphasising how important the hotel industry is.
Hotels are a core component of tourism. According to the most widely accepted definition of tourism, from UN Tourism (formerly the UNWTO), a tourist is a visitor who stays away from their usual environment for at least one night. Therefore, having a place to stay is essential!
Hotels are the most popular type of accommodation within the tourism industry. They come in all shapes and sizes, from small family-run properties to global brands – Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel company, has more than 9,000 properties worldwide.
Different hotels operate in different ways. The economic benefits of locally-owned and run hotels that are sustainably managed are usually significant, whereas multinational chains such as Hilton or Travelodge encourage economic leakage in tourism, meaning that not much of the money stays in the local area.
Nonetheless, the revenue made from hotels makes up a significant proportion of the income raised from tourism. Hotels are therefore a vital part of the tourism economy.
Hotel star rating system
One important factor when looking at types of hotels is the hotel star rating system, which helps guests to understand what they are purchasing. However, there is no single global system: ratings are set by different organisations in different countries, such as the AA and VisitEngland in the UK and the Hotelstars Union, which covers around 20 European countries. As a result, a five-star hotel in one country will not always offer the same standards as a five-star hotel in another.
Nonetheless, star ratings are generally applied as follows:
One star hotels
One star hotels offer no frills. These are very basic types of hotels and there often isn’t much offered other than a place to sleep. Rooms may be small, with shared bathrooms and few facilities.
Two star hotels
Two star hotels offer basic accommodation and amenities. The price is generally low. These types of hotels are popular with budget travellers.
Three star hotels
Three star hotels are middle of the range. They are average priced, meaning that they are not usually cheap, nor are they expensive.
Three star hotels are popular with many travellers, as they offer a good balance between price and comfort.
Three star hotels may also be former four or five star hotels that have not been well maintained or updated.
Four star hotels
Four star hotels offer good levels of hospitality and comfort.
They will often provide a range of facilities and services, such as a spa and room service.
Five star hotels
A five star rating is the highest rating, meaning that these are the most luxurious types of hotels. Five star hotels are premium hotels and usually have a premium price tag to go with it.
Five star hotels should offer a flawless level of service and a very high standard of rooms and facilities.
A hotel of this calibre is likely to offer personalised services and premium services, such as fine dining.
Types of hotels around the world
There are a range of different types of hotels found all around the world. The most common types are described below.
Airport hotels
As the name suggests, airport hotels are situated near airports. Many countries have them.
Airport hotels provide accommodation for those taking early flights who don’t wish to travel to the airport in the middle of the night.
Most airport hotels include free airport transfer (usually a shuttle bus) for convenience. Some are located inside the airport too, which is super convenient for transit passengers who don’t want to leave the airport.
Apart-hotels
Apart-hotels offer the same services as a hotel – a front desk and house keeping as well as often having a bar attached, offering room service and so on.
The only difference is that instead of having hotel rooms, they instead offer apartments. These are bigger and include a kitchen and living area as well as sleeping space and a bathroom.
Apart-hotels are perfect for families because they provide more space than most ordinary hotel rooms. Parents can put children to bed in one room and relax in another, and the kitchen makes self-catering easy.
Bed and breakfast
Typically, a bed and breakfast (also referred to as a B&B) is small. They have an average of six rooms and a very homely vibe – you might experience daily interaction with other guests and the owner, especially at meal times.
B&Bs are popular with domestic tourists in each respective country. They literally offer a bed and breakfast – as such, they tend to be in locations where there are a lot of things to do because guests are unlikely to spend the whole day at this type of accommodation. For example, in Britain you’ll find B&Bs aplenty at seaside locations such as Brighton and Blackpool.
Bed and breakfast accommodations are usually locally-owned and managed. This means that the money generated largely stays within the host community. It also offers great opportunities for cultural tourism.
Boutique hotels
Boutique hotels tend to be small (100 rooms or less, typically) and most are independently owned. They are personalised, themed or come with a unique design.
The rooms might be based on certain films, or decorated in the style of a particular artist, or themed around a certain band. Many have a local influence too.
Some examples include The Albion Rooms in Margate, themed around indie-rock band The Libertines, and The Dixie Dean Hotel – located in Liverpool and influenced by record-breaking Everton player Dixie Dean.
Chain hotels
Chain hotels are, as the name suggests, attached to a chain or brand.
Chain hotels tend to have guidelines in place for design and amenities, and many have accommodations all over the world. The advantage of chain hotels is that guests know what to expect. However, they can also contribute to economic leakage in tourism.
Some popular hotel chains include Best Western, Premier Inn, Hilton and Mercure. They are much less personal than independent or boutique hotels, but people tend to trust a brand name which is what lends them so much success within the industry.
Eco hotels
Eco hotels are a type of hotel that have a focus on being eco-friendly and giving back to the environment.
Eco hotels use solar panels and recycled water, do less laundry and so on.
Many eco hotels are independently owned, but many chain hotels have pledged to make changes in order to improve their environmental impact.
African countries such as The Gambia are full of eco lodges, which allow tourists to stay somewhere off the beaten track, experience the beauty of these places and contribute to the local economy.
Gastro hotels
A gastro hotel is a type of hotel that focuses heavily on food.
From on-site vegetable patches to Michelin-star chefs in the restaurants, gastro hotels are firm favourites with foodies.
These tend to be smaller hotels, and run independently.
Golf resorts
Golf tourism is big business – so big that there are dedicated golf resort hotels!
A golf resort is an area that provides everything that the golf tourist would need- sporting facilities and equipment, entertainment, catering options and accommodation.
Golf resorts tend to be very upmarket. Many of the world’s best-known golf resorts can be found in Spain, Portugal, Scotland and the USA, though there are some great ones in the Caribbean and Hawaii too.
Hostels
When it comes to types of hotels, hostels can’t be overlooked.
Popular mostly with younger travellers, hostels offer budget accommodation to those visiting new places.
Hostels are common in European cities and in places like Australia and Thailand where many go backpacking.
They offer a range of dormitory and private room accommodation, and tend to be much more affordable than booking a typical hotel.
Most people tend to stay only a couple of nights at a hostel.
Hostels can also be found on hiking trails, and many don’t need to be booked in advance.
Independent hotels
This is a hotel that is owned by a private company or family.
An independent hotel is stand-alone, rather than being part of a larger chain, and therefore usually more personable. You can find these around the world.
Independent hotels tend to be smaller (having fewer rooms) than chain hotels.
Microstay hotels
A relatively new type of hotel, micro stay accommodation has tapped into a gap in the market. It’s a win-win situation. They allow travellers (especially those traveling for business) to get a few hours rest without having to pay for overnight accommodation – and they also allow hotels to increase their revenue as rooms can potentially be sold twice in a 24-hour period.
Other types of hotels offer microstay options, though there are some hotels that exist solely for this type of travel.
Motels
Motels are types of hotels that are located near a highway – this is generally an American type of accommodation.
The concept is simple- you can drive right up to your room and park outside.
Many motels are independently owned, but there are some chain motels too.
Pop-up hotels
There are so many different types of hotels, and pop-up hotels are one of the most innovative.
Pop up hotels can be assembled anywhere, and you’re likely to see them at events and festivals such as Glastonbury or at the F1.
Pop-up hotels are made of pre-fabricated materials and can be installed (then uninstalled) quickly. They are convenient and offer an alternative to camping.
Resort hotels
Often found in sunny holiday locations like the Caribbean or the coast of Egypt, resorts have everything in one place.
As well as accommodation, resort hotels offer pools, restaurants, bars, shops, spas, gyms, entertainment, childcare and more.
Many have their own beach space with sun loungers and umbrellas, too!
Resorts are sometimes part of hotel chains (such as Sandals or TUI), and other times they are independent resorts.
Ski resorts
Offering everything you need for the perfect skiing trip, ski resorts have accommodation, restaurants, bars, childcare and of course, ski slopes.
They will have a ski hire and shop on site too.
Most ski resorts also have instructors so you can actually learn to ski whilst on holiday. Austria, France and Switzerland have some of the best ski resorts in Europe, while the US has some great ski resorts in Colorado and Utah.
Video: The different types of hotels
How to book a hotel
Once a traveller has decided what type of hotel they want to stay at, it is time to book.
There are various ways to book hotels and the best option depends on the type of trip.
A travel agent can arrange a package including flights, transfers and accommodation, and online travel agencies offer similar packages. Package holidays booked with ATOL-protected companies in the UK also come with financial protection.
Another option is to book directly with a tour operator, such as TUI or Jet2holidays.
For city breaks and multi-destination trips, many travellers book hotels themselves through online travel agencies such as Booking.com or Expedia, which allow searching by location, price and rating and often offer free cancellation.
Booking directly with the hotel is another option. Many hotels (especially independent ones) will offer a discount if you book directly through their website or by calling. Some travellers also contact the hotel before arrival to request an upgrade – this hotel upgrade template shows how.
Types of hotels: FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about the different types of hotels.
What are the main types of hotels?
Common types of hotels include chain hotels, independent hotels, boutique hotels, resort hotels, airport hotels, apart-hotels, bed and breakfasts, motels, hostels, eco hotels and pop-up hotels.
What is the difference between a boutique hotel and a chain hotel?
A boutique hotel is usually small, independently owned and individually designed, while a chain hotel belongs to a larger brand with consistent standards and design across many locations.
Is there a universal hotel star rating system?
No. Star ratings are set by different organisations in different countries, such as the AA and VisitEngland in the UK and the Hotelstars Union in much of Europe, so standards can vary between countries.
What is an apart-hotel?
An apart-hotel offers apartments with kitchens and living areas instead of standard hotel rooms, combined with hotel services such as a reception desk and housekeeping.
What is the largest hotel company in the world?
Marriott International is the world’s largest hotel company by number of properties and rooms, with more than 9,000 properties across many brands.
Types of hotels: Further reading
If you found this article on the different types of hotels useful, these articles may also be of interest:
- Homestay tourism: What is a homestay?
- Types of rail transport | Understanding tourism
- The hotel star rating system explained
- The tour operator: What, why and how
- Visiting friends and relatives (VFR): A simple explanation
- The history of the hotel industry
- Types of accommodation in tourism
- The appeal of tourist destinations | What attracts tourists
