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Product type definitions – Traditional Lodging Hotel An establishment that provides paid lodging, usually on a short-term basis and especially for tourists. Hotels often provide a limited number of additional guest services such as a restaurant, a swimming pool or childcare. Some hotels have conference services and encourage groups to hold conventions and meetings at their location. Hotels typically have interior entrances to the rooms. Basic accommodation often consisting of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table, en-suite bathrooms and climate control. Other features found may be a telephone, an alarm clock, a TV, and broadband Internet connectivity. Food and drink may be supplied by a mini-bar (which often includes a small refrigerator) containing snacks and drinks (to be paid for on departure), and tea and coffee making facilities (cups, spoons, an electric kettle and sachets containing instant coffee, tea bags, sugar, and creamer or milk). Motel A single building of connected rooms whose doors face a parking lot and/or common area which sometimes include a grouping of small cabins. There are exterior entrances to the rooms. Typically one would find an 'I' or 'L' or 'U' shaped structure that included rooms, an attached manager's office, and perhaps a small diner. Motels differ from hotels in their emphasis on largely anonymous interactions between owners and occupants, their location along highways (as opposed to urban cores), and their orientation to the outside (in contrast to hotels whose doors typically face an interior hallway). All-inclusive Resort An all-inclusive resort is a resort that, besides providing all of the common amenities of a resort, charges a fixed price that includes most or all items. At a minimum, most inclusive resorts include lodging, unlimited food, drink, sports activities, and entertainment for the fixed price. Accommodations typically consist of hotel rooms or small suites. Hotel Resort A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation. As a result, people tend to seek out a resort for holidays or vacations. Generally, a resort is distinguished by a large selection of activities, such as food, drink, lodging, sports, entertainment, and shopping. A resort can commonly refer to two specific but similar places; 1) towns in which tourism or vacationing is a major part of the local activity but are usually not run by a single company (for example Aspen, Colorado) , or 2) vacation centers, usually run by a single company, which attempt to provide for all or most of a vacationer's wants while staying there (for example Walt Disney World Resort). Lodging is a central feature of the resort and typically comprised of hotel accommodations. Resorts comprised primarily of condominium units are referred to as Condominium Resorts (for example Westgate Lakes Resort in Orlando). Product type definitions – Specialty Lodging Condominium Resorts A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation. As a result, people tend to seek out a resort for holidays or vacations. Generally, a resort is distinguished by a large selection of activities, such as food, drink, lodging, sports, entertainment, and shopping. A resort can commonly refer to two specific but similar places; 1) towns in which tourism or vacationing is a major part of the local activity but are usually not run by a single company (for example Aspen, Colorado) , or 2) vacation centers, usually run by a single company, which attempt to provide for all or most of a vacationer's wants while staying there (for example Walt Disney World Resort). Lodging is a central feature of the resort and typically comprised of condominium accommodations. Resorts comprised primarily of hotel units are referred to as Resort Hotels (for example Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes in Orlando). Inn Inns are establishments where travelers can procure food, drink, and lodging. In North America, inns are usually alcohol-serving restaurants that have historically provided lodging and serviced the needs of travelers. Inns tend to be grander and more long-lived establishments. The original functions of an inn are now usually split among separate establishments, such as hotels, lodges, motels, pubs, restaurants, and taverns. Lodge Lodges are most commonly meeting or dwelling places used for extended stays. They are generally associated with a rustic, wilderness or activity related theme (hunting, fishing, skiing), and most often situated outside a city. Guest House A guest house is a private home which has been converted for the exclusive use of guest accommodation. The owner usually lives in an entirely separate area within the property and the guest house may serve as a form of lodging business, similar to a bed and breakfast. Bed & Breakfast A bed and breakfast, often referred to as a B&B, is a lodging typically operated out of a large single family residence where guests can be accommodated at night in private bedrooms (which may or may not be equipped with private baths) and where breakfast, sometimes Continental and sometimes the full English variety, is served in the morning. The business may be operated either as a primary occupation or as a secondary source of income, and the staff often consists of the house's owner(s) and members of their family who live there. It is possible for guests to stay more than one night, but in some cases they will be expected to be away from the house during the main part of the day. This arrangement however is generally found to be convenient, for many of the more popular B&Bs are located in beach and mountain areas, such as Hawaii and Colorado where daytime recreation and tourism activities are popular. One advantage of staying at a B&B is readier access to popular locations off the beaten path which may not be convenient to the city center. Modern B&Bs often consciously seek to recall earlier days; they are frequently established in attractive older houses that have been renovated and filled with antique furniture. In some cases an existing inn will label itself as a "B&B" to improve business. Apartment An apartment is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building. Apartments may be owned (by an owner-occupier) or rented (by tenants). Apartments can be classified into several types. Studio or efficiency apartments tend to be the smallest apartments with the cheapest rents in a given area. These kinds of apartments usually consist mainly of a large room which is the living, dining, and bedroom combined. There are usually kitchen facilities as part of this central room, but the bathroom is its own smaller separate room. One-bedroom apartments refer to where one bedroom is a separate room from the rest of the apartment. Then there are two-bedroom, three-bedroom, etc. apartments. Small apartments often have only one entrance/exit. Large apartments often have two entrances/exits, perhaps a door in the front and another in the back. Depending on the building design, the entrance/exit doors may be directly to the outside or to a common area inside, such as a hallway. Depending on location, apartments may be available for rent furnished with furniture. Laundry facilities are usually kept in a separate area accessible to all the tenants/guests in the building. Condominium (Condo) A condominium, or condo for short, is a form of housing tenure. Often, it consists of units in a multi-unit dwelling with common areas like hallways and recreational facilities. Condos also consist of single family dwellings or "detached condominiums" where homeowners do not maintain the exteriors of the dwellings, yards, etc. or "site condominiums" where the owner has more control over the exterior appearance. A developer or homeowners association, consisting of all the members, manages the common areas usually through a board of directors elected by the members. Another variation of this concept is the "timeshare." Condominium ownership is used for non-residential uses like vacation rentals. Condominium properties tend to be apartment-style units ranging in size from studio units (with room for two) to three and four-bedroom units. Larger units can comfortably house large families. These units normally include fully equipped kitchens with a dining area, dishwasher, televisions, VCRs and more. It is not uncommon to have hot tubs and washers/dryers either in the unit or easily accessible. Kitchens are equipped to the size of the unit, so that a unit that sleeps four should have at least four glasses, plates, forks, knives, spoons, and bowls so that all four guests can sit and eat at once. Cabin A cabin is a small house, oftentimes built from logs typically in non-urban settings. It is a fairly simple type of house with sleeping and common living areas. Cabins offer privacy, but nominal services. Cabins are generally rented by tourists and give them the amenities of home. Chalet is a type of building design typically used in the Alpine region. Generally made of wood, the property has a sloping roof and widely overhanging eves and now is used to describe cottages and lodges built in the chalet style. They are detached or semi detached with self-contained cooking facilities and private bathroom facilities. Chalets are privately owned and are used as family or group residences in mountain resorts. Most commonly used in Europe, North American chalets also describe buildings that house resort services and cafeterias. Cottage A cottage is a dwelling, typically in a non-urban location (although there are cottage-style dwellings in cities). Cottages are small, often cozy dwellings, and small size is integral to the description. The term cottage usually refers to a vacation/summer home, often located near a body of water. A cottage is a type of vacation accommodation which vacationers can rent and run as if it were their own home for the duration of their stay. This gives them the freedom to eat in, eat out, stay in bed all day and generally come and go as they please. Most buildings known as cottages are used for weekend or summer getaways by city dwellers. It is also not uncommon for the owners of cottages to rent their properties to tourists as a source of revenue. Cottages are generally located near lakes or the ocean in wilderness areas and are utilized as a place to go fishing, hiking, and sailing. Hostel Hostels, also called youth hostels, provide short-term accommodation to travelers or backpackers, particularly encouraging outdoor activities and cultural exchange for the young. Hostels are also often called backpackers' hostels (or backpackers' for short). In a hostel guests rent a bed (sometimes a bunk bed) in a dormitory and share common bathroom, kitchen, and lounge rooms. Private rooms are often available. The main benefits of a hostel are firstly the low cost of the accommodation compared to alternatives such as hotels, and that one gets to meet other travelers from all over the world. Hostels are usually less formal and less expensive than hotels. They are most frequently used by young travelers. In the past many hostels had imposed age limits. Despite the openness of modern hostels, the majority of guests are traditionally and overwhelmingly between the ages of 18 and 26. Ranch A Ranch is an area of land, including buildings and structures, given primarily to the grazing of livestock on rangeland. Ranches may be of nearly any size and if the ranch includes arable or irrigated land, the ranch may also engage in raising crops, especially hay and feed grains. Some ranches cater to tourists. The dude or agric-tourist ranch type of ranch is oriented towards visitors or tourism. This may include the opportunity to assist with ranching or farming tasks during the visit. Tourists can pick fruits and vegetables, ride horses, taste honey, learn about wine, shop in gift shops and farm stands for local and regional produce or hand-crafted gifts, and much more. Each ranch generally offers a unique and memorable experience suitable for the entire family. Dude ranches offer tourists the chance to work on cattle ranches and sometimes include cattle drives. Villa Villas are free-standing, privately owned and operated rental guest units; usually consisting of bedrooms, living room, kitchen and private pool. Kitchens are separate from bedrooms and are equipped with ovens or microwaves, refrigerator, cooking utensils and table settings for people occupying the unit. Basic housekeeping supplies, linens and towels are available; daily housekeeping services may or may not be offered; full staff (including drivers, chefs, butlers, maids, caretakers) may or may not be offered. Units are generally located in ‘vacation destinations’ near recreational facilities for such interests as golf or tennis, but offer increased privacy as they are not necessarily part of a resort. Vacation Home Vacation homes are individual, free-standing furnished houses rented out on a temporary basis to tourists as an alternative to a hotel. They generally consist of common living areas, bedrooms, kitchens and sometimes private pools. Kitchens are fully quipped with stoves, microwaves, refrigerator, utensils, linens, etc. Ryokan A traditional Japanese inn featuring a large entrance hall with couches and chairs for guest interaction. A modern ryokan may have a television in the hall as well. Rooms are constructed using traditional Japanese materials including tatami flooring (grass-like matting), sliding rice-paper doors, and futon bedding. Rooms may also have porches or balconies accessible by a sliding door. Ryokans also feature a common bathing area (high-end ryokans may provide private bathing facilities) and may provide guests with a yukata (casual kimono) to wear. Often, many ryokan offer dinner and breakfast as optional meals typically consisting mostly of Japanese foods. Houseboat A boat that is typically moored and designed to be used as a vacation home for tourism. Offered worldwide, houseboats are especially popular in Australia, India, Holland and the United States. Houseboats range from more modest 30-40 foot boats to 70 foot-plus luxury houseboat models and offer common areas, galleys, staterooms and bathrooms. The more affordable houseboats offer a more traditional, camping like outdoor experience, with closer quarters. A smaller houseboat also has the ability to navigate lakes with much more agility, leading to more secluded areas. Luxury houseboats offer amenities equal to a very posh hotel such as hot tubs, big-screen TVs, fireplaces, DVD players, and deluxe accommodations in private staterooms. Tree house A house built in and around the trunks and branches of one or more mature trees, typically some distance off the ground. Some tree houses are built on platforms or elevated on stilts to keep living quarters above hazards at ground level, but also situated in carefully chose scenic areas. Typically designed to complement their natural surroundings, they create a feeling of intimacy and privacy. Amenities range from fully equipped kitchens, living areas, bedrooms and bathrooms with flush toilets and hot water to more rustic accommodations with basic amenities. Aparthotel -- Apartment Hotel Accommodation commonly described as a serviced apartment complex that uses a hotel style booking system. Length of stay can vary from a few days to months or years with prices typically cheaper than hotels. Aparthotels offer complete fully fitted apartments with the basic amenities of a home including kitchen, living areas, bedroom(s) and bathroom(s), and some even have washer/dryer. Quality ranges from basic accommodations to luxury homes. Over Water Accommodations Typically, over water accommodations are bungalows built on stilts in resort locations. Private and situated to offer stunning views, over water accommodations provide easy access to the water and are most often very luxurious and priced accordingly.  Return to previous page
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