Types of accommodation services (types of hotels)

Types of accommodation services (types of hotels)

This detailed article aims to explain different types of accommodation services that are available within the global hospitality industry. In other words, it aims to explain different types of hotels. The hotel industry is booming today as many people travel to different cities and countries. The industry offers many types of hotels; however, distinguishing them from each other is not an easy task.

What are the different types of hotels?

There are many different types of accommodation services in the world e.g. chain hotels, boutique hotels, vintage hotels etc. Chain hotels are less expensive compared to the other types of hotels which have some unique qualities that make them worth staying at over chain properties.

Chain hotels

 A chain hotel is basically a property that is part of a series or of a group of hotels operated by the same company or owner. Chain properties offer a lot of amenities like gyms, variety of food options, and strong Wi-Fi signals. A survey by Which? in 2022, reveals that Premier Inn is the best large hotel chain in the UK, while Britannia is the worst (Bell, 2022). Marriot hotels and Crowne Plaza hotels and resorts are very popular in the USA.

Chain hotels are often very good for franchisees as they benefit from the brand name, advertising, and other supports from the franchisors. However, the biggest the problem is the lack of independence.  Franchisees will have to follow certain rules and standards set by the parent company and cannot respond to the market demands as flexibly as you wish.

Independent hotels

Independent hotels are those properties that are owned and operated independently. They are not part of hotel groups. These hotels often operate in limited number of markets and have limited services. Many small bed and breakfast hotels around the world fall into this category. Likewise, many boutique and vintage hotels are also independently owned. However, it is true that many boutique and vintage hotels are also part of some chain hotels.

Boutique hotels

These types of hotels tend to be more personal, sophisticated, and fashionable because they are smaller in size and cater to the specific needs of their guests. They also provide a unique experience by giving guests a chance to interact with locals or take advantage of local attractions without having to leave the property. Usually, a boutique hotel has between 10 and 100 rooms. These types of hotels are more expensive than chain hotels.

Vintage hotels

Vintage hotels provide history and authenticity to the guests who can be immersed into an era from the past. They tend to be more expensive than some other types of hotels, but they offer exclusive experiences that ensure that the guests will not regret their stay.

Budget hotels versus luxury hotels

Budget properties are often part of chain hotels. They are popular because they provide a more affordable alternative for those traveling on a budget. They are typically cheaper than other types of hotels such as boutique and luxury hotels; however, chain hotels still have the same amenities and services that guests would find in other types of hotels. Top budget hotels in London are easyHotel, Holiday Inn Express, Ibis, Premier Inn, and Travelodge.

Among the different types of accommodation services, luxury hotels offer the most exciting and extravagant amenities. They can have multiple pools,  restaurants and bars, entertainment, and spas. The beauty about these hotels is that they cater to their customers with their needs and wants in mind. However, they are typically much more expensive than economy hotels (in fact, sometimes beyond any comparison!).

Some of the greatest luxury hotels in the world are Mardan Palace (Turkey), Burj Al Arab (Dubai), Atlantis Paradise (Bahamas), Emirates Palace (Abu Dhabi), The Plaza (New York), Westin Excelsior (Rome), and the Palms (Las Vegas). The price of staying a night at the Royal Suite in Burj Al-Arab is $28,000, while $100,000 a night at the Empathy Suite in the Sky Villa of The Palms Casino Resort (Madden, 2021).

Serviced and non-serviced hotels

Hotels can also be categorised as serviced and non-serviced hotels. Serviced hotels offer a range of additional facilities, like laundry services. Rooms are serviced every day. Non-serviced hotels offer few to no additional services, and guests must take care of their own rooms. When they stay at a non-serviced hotel, they are mostly responsible for the upkeep of their room and its facilities. Airbnb properties are good examples of non-serviced hotels.

Global hotel chains and consortia

There are many global hotel chains and consortia that have been dominating the industry. The most popular ones are Marriott, Hilton, Starwood, Jin Jiang, InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG), Wyndham Hotel Group, Accor Group, Huazhu, Choice Hotels, OYO, and BTH Hotels.

Concluding statement

With so many different types of hotels, it can be difficult for customers to find the perfect one. However, understanding the differences makes it easier to find the one that is just right for them. The key deciding factor often is whether they are focusing on price or luxury.

We hope this article ‘Types of accommodation services (types of hotels)’ has been a useful read. If you have liked it, please share it others to support our work. You may also like reading:

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Last update: 25 February 2022

References:

Bell, L. (2022) Best and worst UK hotel chains, available at: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/uk-hotel-chains/article/best-and-worst-uk-hotel-chains-aaVVF4u1jZpe (accessed 25 February 2022)

Madden, D. (2021) Ranked: The World’s Ten Most Expensive Hotels To Stay At In 2021, available at:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/duncanmadden/2021/11/25/ranked-the-worlds-ten-most-expensive-hotels-to-stay-at-in-2021/?sh=4fe6f5eb1eca (accessed 25 February 2022)

Author: Joe David

Joe David has years of teaching experience both in the UK and abroad. He writes regularly online on a variety of topics. He has a keen interest in business, hospitality, and tourism management. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies and a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management.