Traveling and hotels are two closely related industries, as travelers typically need a place to stay during their trip. Hotels are establishments which offer access to beds in private rooms, usually with en suite bathrooms, along with additional facilities. While traveling, people may opt to stay in a hotel for a range of reasons, including comfort, convenience and safety. In addition, hotels can provide a range of amenities such as room service, spa services and swimming pools. In addition, many hotels offer rewards programs that allow travelers to earn loyalty points when staying at the hotel.
Hotel rates are often influenced by the location, as well as the hotel’s reputation. Consequently, higher-rated hotels tend to have more expensive room rates.
In contrast, lower-rated hotels generally have less expensive room rates. Hotel rates are also affected by seasonality, as some destinations have a high tourist season during certain months when the weather is more favourable.
The hospitality industry also provides other types of accommodation such as bed & breakfasts, hostels and homestays. While they may be cheaper than hotels, these types of accommodation tend to have limited facilities. Bed & breakfasts, for example, typically only offer access to their own private rooms and kitchenettes, while hostels and homestays usually only offer shared rooms (in either mixed or single-sex dormitories).
Hotels can be booked directly with the hotels themselves, via travel websites and aggregators, or through intermediaries such as airlines, railways, ferry operators and even car rental companies. Travelers can also book their hotel through tour companies and even directly with the local government or tourism board.
Despite their high prices, hotels provide a variety of services that attract travellers, such as onsite restaurants and bars, fitness centres, spas and pools, business centers and other leisure activities. Moreover, some hotels have dedicated guest relations staff to assist with booking tours and other services, as well as providing information about the city.
In addition, many hotels have loyalty programs that reward regular guests with bonuses and free stays. The programs may be a part of a global hotel chain’s overall rewards program, or may be a separate and unique program offered by the hotel.
In addition, many hotels now provide self-service kiosks for check-in and checkout purposes. These automated kiosks are designed to reduce the amount of staff required at the front desk, thereby reducing operating costs.