Deciding what kind of accommodations to book when planning a trip is one of the major decisions of travel. The wide variety of accommodation types available may sometimes seem overwhelming to some travelers. Hotels, motels, B&Bs, hostels and other types of lodging all have their pros and cons. Deciding on the type of accommodation desired before starting the search for somewhere to stay can help narrow down the options and make vacation planning easier.
Lodging at Hotels Offers Perks for a Price
Most people are familiar with hotels since these make up most of the big names in travel accommodations. The best hotels typically offer full service accommodations with housekeeping, room service, restaurants on the premises, business services, fitness facilities and an on-call concierge 24 hours a day. All this service comes at a price, however, with prices far above many other types of lodging. Hotels with four and five stars, those located in the city center or near major tourist attractions and those belonging to well-known hotel chains are some of the priciest of the bunch.
Motel Accommodations for Road Trip Vacations
The name motel stems from a combination of "motor" and "hotel," which explains exactly the purpose of this type of lodging. Motels are aimed at the traveling motorist and tend to be family-friendly. Frequently situated just off the highway, motels are generally cheaper than hotels but offer less in the way of services. Housekeeping is usually included in a motel stay, and many motels have basic amenities like a swimming pool, restaurant and someone available 24 hours to answer questions or handle problems. A large parking lot with parking included in the room fee is another benefit offered by motels.
Bed and Breakfast Lodging Gives a Personalized Touch
The bed and breakfast, or B&B, is a more personalized and intimate style of lodging. Bed & breakfasts are situated in homes and visitors are made to feel welcome with homemade breakfasts, interesting locations, unique furnishings and decor, friendly proprietors and lots of individual touches that make each bed and breakfast unique. A bed and breakfast may promote itself to specific types of travelers by advertising as a historic B&B or romantic B&B. Some larger bed and breakfast lodgings that have more rooms available for travelers may be called a guesthouse or inn.
Hostels for the Budget Conscious Traveler
No longer the backpacker and student hangout of years past, hostels have opened up their offerings of cheap lodging to individuals, couples and families of all ages. Many hostels still offer the large communal room where backpackers and gap year youth can buy a bed for the night and not much else. However, many now also offer private rooms as well. Individual rooms in a hostel tend to be small and usually don't provide services like housekeeping. They do tend to be cheap, however, and will often make up the most inexpensive accommodation options in a city.
Resort Living for the Ultimate Vacation Luxury
Resorts tend to be the most expensive and luxurious of all accommodation types. Often located in areas with gorgeous scenery, such as on a beach, these lodgings typically cover a large area and may have multiple restaurants, activity centers and a few different types of lodging available. Some resorts are all-inclusive, meaning that everything is covered by the price, including all meals, activities and sporting goods rentals.
The choice of accommodation can make a good trip into a great one when the type of lodging suits the needs of the traveler. Understanding the differences between a hotel, motel, B&B, hostel and resort can help those planning a vacation decide among the wide array of options available at most vacation destinations.
Bridget Coila - I'm a cell and molecular biologist, freelance writer and photographer currently living in Beijing, China. I'm fascinated by science, ...
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