Accommodation
The accommodation sector of the hospitality industry is concerned with providing customers with a place to stay, on a temporary basis. It is most commonly associated with the tourism industry, where people book holidays or trips and require lodgings, but the accommodation sector also caters to local people seeking a short break from their everyday routine, or those who require temporary accommodation for almost any other purpose.
Bed & Breakfasts
Bed & breakfasts, also known as B&Bs, are small establishments, which offer overnight stays and breakfast in the morning.
As a broad rule of thumb, though, B&Bs tend to be smaller – most being under 10 rooms or so, and guest houses larger (often roughly 10-25 rooms). None of those dividing lines are exact though and you will find 15-room B&Bs and eight-room guest houses.
Hotels
Arguably the most obvious form of accommodation that falls within the hospitality industry, hotels cater to people who require overnight or longer-term stays. Aside from offering lodgings, they tend to provide various other services, including room service, housekeeping, and facilities for eating and drinking.
Motels
The term motel is used to describe a roadside hotel designed primarily for motorists. It specifically targets guests which are travelling by car. The hotels often allow customers to park directly outside of their rooms for convenience.
Motels are often located near high-ways enabling travelers to rest during longer trips without having to search out a destination outside of their convenience.
Hostels
Hostels are a form of communal accommodation, where multiple guests will usually sleep in a shared room, with the guests effectively renting a bed. Bathroom and kitchen facilities are usually shared and hostels offer less privacy than hotels. Yet, they are usually significantly cheaper, making them a solid option for those with a low budget.
Resorts
A resort is similar to a hotel, but it will provide a wider range of facilities and amenities. This means that guests are able to access sleeping facilities, food and drink facilities, entertainment facilities, shopping facilities and other amenities without needing to leave the resort. Many resorts also offer all-inclusive pricing.
Serviced Apartments
Another form of accommodation that shares similarities with hotels, serviced apartments are self-contained units, which are supplied for either short-term or long-term stays. These apartments will typically be fully furnished, will contain a kitchen, and may include various hotel-like services, such as laundry and cleaning.
