CLASSIFICATION OF
HOTELS

• Hotels can be categorized by ownership. There are
six different ways hotels can be owned and operated
• Independently owned and operated
• Independently owned but leased to an operator
• Owned by a single entity or group that has hired a
hotel management company to operate the property
• Owned and operated by a chain
• Owned by an independent investor or group and
operated by a chain
• Owned by an individual group and operated as a
franchise of a chain
CLASSIFICATION ON THE BASIS OF OWNERSHIP

An independent hotel is not connected with any
established hotel company and is owned by individual or
group investors. A management company contracts with
hotel owners to operate their hotels. The management
company may or may not have any of its own funds
invested. It is usually paid by a combination of fees plus a
share of revenues and profits. A hotel chain is a group of
affiliated hotels.
Example: The Capitol, Bangalore, The Imperial, New
Delhi

A franchise is the authorization granted by a hotel chain
to an individual hotel to use the chain’s trade mark,
operating systems, and reservation system in return for a
percentage of hotel revenues plus certain other fees, such
as advertising fees. A franchiser is the party granting the
franchise: holiday inn worldwide is an example of
franchisor.
Example: Le Meridien, Holiday inn

CHAIN HOTELS
Hotel chains account for a large percentage of
the world’s hotel room inventory. Some of the world’s
best hotel rooms are managed by chains.
Example: Taj Group of Hotels, ITC Chain of Hotels.

Luxury hotels
At the top of the price category are the
luxury hotels. They feature upscale décor and
furnishings that may be unique to the particular
hotel. These hotels offer a full range of amenities
and services. Such hotels would typically have a
concierge service and several food and beverage
operations, including fine dining facilities, banquet
area and full room service. Different types of
recreational facilities are also available.
Example: Taj Westend, Bangalore, The Leela
Palace, Bangalore

HOTELS CLASSIFIED BASED ON SIZE
Size or the number of guest rooms in a property
gives us one common way to categorize hotels. Hotels
may be broadly grouped as under:
• Under 150 rooms
• 150 to 299 rooms
• 300 to 600 rooms
• More than 600 room

BASED ON LOCATION & CLIENTELE
Commercial Hotel
These hotels are located in downtown or business
district–areas that are convenient and of interest to their
target markets. And cater primarily to the business
traveler. These are also referred to as transient hotels
because of the relatively short length of guest stays
compared with other hotels. Such of these hotels have
full service facilities with coffee shop as well as other
restaurants, bar or cocktail lounge, room service,
laundry, valet service, business center, gift shop and
health club facilities.
Example: Taj Residency & The Oberoi Bangalore

Airport hotel
Many airport hotels enjoy a very high occupancy
because of the large number or travelers arriving and
departing from major airports. The guest mix in airport
hotels consists of business, group, and leisure travelers.
Passengers of late flights may stay over at the airport
hotel while others wait while waiting for the flights.
Airport hotels are generally full service. To care for the
needs of guests who may still feel as if they are different
time zones, room service and restaurant timing may be
extended, even offered twenty four hours.
Example: The Trident, Chennai: The Centaur, New
Delhi

Motels
Freeway hotels and motels came into
prominence in the 1950s and 1960s.the travelers
needed a convenient place to stay that was
reasonably priced with few frills. Guest could simply
drive up, park outside the office, register, and rent a
room .over the years more facilities were added:
lounges, restaurants, pools, game rooms etc.
Example: The Guest line, Bangalore, Suman
Motels

Resorts
A resort is a place used for relaxation or
recreation, attracting visitors for vacations and
/or tourism. Resorts are places, towns or
sometimes commercial establishment operated
by a single company.

Floatel
Floating Accommodation & other allied hospitality
services situated on water bodies.
Example: Cruise liners, shikaras (house boats)

Rotel
Hotel facilities available on wheels such as a train,
caravan.
Example: Palace on wheels

STAR CLASSIFICATION
ONE STAR
Typically smaller hotels managed by the proprietor. The hotel
is often has a more personal atmosphere. It is usually located near
affordable attractions, major intersections and convenient to public
transportation. Furnishings and facilities are clean but basic. Most
will not a restaurant on site but are usually within walking distance to
some good low priced dining.
• The hotel should have at least 10 lettable bed rooms of which at
least 25% should have attached bathrooms with a bathroom for every
four of the remaining rooms.
• At least 25% of the bathrooms should have the western style
WCs.
• Receptions counter with a telephone and a telephone for the use
of guests.
Example: Hotel Ajanta, Bangalore

TWO STAR
Usually denotes independent and name brand hotel
chains with a reputation for offering consistent quality
amenities. The hotel is usually small to medium sized
and conveniently located to moderately priced
attractions. The facilities typically include telephones
and TVs in the bed room some hotels offer limited
restaurant service. Somehow room service and bell
service are not usually provided.

• The hotel should have at least 10 lettable bed rooms of
which at least 75% should have attached bathrooms and
showers with a bathroom for every four of the remaining
rooms.
• 25% of the rooms should have AC.
• Receptions counter with a telephone
• Telephone on each floor if the rooms do not have a
telephone each.
• Supervisory staff must understand English.
• Laundry and dry cleaning services.
Example: Woodlands Hotel, Bangalore, Kamath Yatrinivas,
Bangalore

THREE STAR
Typically these hotels offer spacious
accommodations that include well appointed rooms,
decorated lobbies. Bell desk services are generally
not available. They are often located near major
express ways or business areas, convenient to
shopping and moderate to high priced attractions. The
hotels usually feature medium sized restaurants they
typically offer breakfast through dinner. Room
service availability may vary. Valet parking, fitness
centers, pools are often provided.

• The hotel should have at least 20 lettable bed rooms of
which all should have attached bathrooms and
tubs/showers.
• At least 50% of the rooms should be AC.
• Reception and information counter, book stall, travel
agency, safe deposit
etc.
• Telephone in each room and one for the use of visitors.
• Good quality Indian and continental food
• Senior staff must possess a good knowledge of English.
Example: Museum Inn, Bangalore, Angsana Oasis Spa &
Resort, Bangalore

FOUR STAR
Mostly large formal hotels with reception
areas, front desk service, and bell desk service. The
hotels are usually located near shopping, dining, and
other major attractions. The level of service is well
above average. And the rooms are well lit and well
furnished. Restaurant dining is usually available and
is having more than one choice. Some properties will
offer continental breakfast and /or happy hour
delicacies. Room service is usually available during
most hours. Valet parking, concierge service, fitness
centers, pools are often provided.

• Hotel must have 25 lettable rooms and all with
attach bathrooms with shower cubicle/bath tub.
• Should have a recognized travel agency, book
stall, safe deposit facilities, left luggage etc.
Example: Taj Gateway, Bangalore, Hotel
Janpath, New Delhi, St. Marks Hotel,
Bangalore.

FIVESTAR
These are hotels that offer only the highest level of
accommodations and services. The properties offer a high
degree of personal service. The hotel locations can vary
from the exclusive location of suburban area to heart of
the city. The hotel lobbies are sumptuous, the rooms
complete with stylish furnishings, and high quality
linen.The hotels feature up to three restaurants with
exquisite menus. Room service is also available 24 hours
a day. Fitness centers, valet parking are typically
available. A concierge is also available to assist you.

• Architectural features and general construction of the
hotel building should be distinctive
• Adequate parking space for cars.
• Hotel must have at least 25 lettable; rooms with modern
shower chambers.
• All guest areas should be air-conditioned
• Adequate number of efficient lifts.
• 24 hours reception, cash and information counter
Example: The Oberoi, Bangalore, The Grand Maratha
Sheraton, Mumbai,Taj Bengal and The Park, Kolkota,

OTHER HOTEL CATEGORIES
Casino Hotels
Casino hotels and resorts differ significantly in their
operation compared to most hotels. In casino hotels and
resorts, gaming operations are the major revenue centers.
Most of these are in Las Vegas. The casino industry is
now coming into the financial main stream to the point
that as a significant segment of the entertainment industry
especially in the US. Casino hotels are leaning towards
making their hotels into “family friendly”
Example: Las Vegas Hilton Hotel & Casino, MGM
Grand, Flaming Hilton in Las Vegas.

Heritage Hotels
The concept of Heritage Hotels was
introduced with a view to convert the old palaces,
havelies, castles, forts and residences built prior to
1950 into accommodation units as these traditional
structures reflect the ambience and lifestyle of the
bygone era and are immensely popular with the
tourists.

The Heritage Hotels have also been sub-
classified in the following categories:
Heritage:This category covers hotels in residences /
havelies / hunting lodges / castles / forts / palaces built
prior to 1950 but after 1935.
Heritage Classic:This category covers hotels in
residences / havelies / Hunting lodges / castles / forts /
places built prior to 1935 but after 1920.
Heritage Grand:This category covers hotels in
residences / havelies / hunting lodges / castles / forts /
palaces built prior to 1920.
Example: Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior, Lalitha Mahal
Palace, Mysore.

Time Shares/Condominiums
Time-sharing, more recently known as
vacation ownership, involves a “type of shared
ownership in which the buyer purchases the right to
uses a residential dwelling unit for a portion of the
year or more periods.”Each Condominium or unit
of a vacation ownership resort is divided into
intervals, typically by the week and sold separately.

The condominiums are priced according to a variety
of factors including unit size, resort amenities, location and
season. Purchasers of vacation ownership properties can
typically travel to other destinations through exchange
programs provided through the timeshare resort developers.
Condominium hotels are also called condo hotels or even
condotels. Vacation ownership offers consumers the
opportunity to purchase fully furnished vacation
accommodations in a variety of forms, such as weekly
intervals or points in points based systems, for a percentage
of the cost of the full ownership.
Example: RCI, Club Mahindra, Country Club Group

Boutique hotels
Boutique hotels span all price
segments and are noticeably
different in look and feel from
traditional lodging properties
interior design styles in boutique
hotels range from postmodern to
homey. Soft attributes, such and
image and atmosphere, typically
distinguish these properties.
Traveler’s desires to be trendy,
affluent and artistic tie into
boutique themes.
Example: The Park Bangalore,
The Park Kolkata.

THE END