The document discusses the origins and definitions of different types of hotels. It begins by explaining that the word "hotel" derives from the French word "hôtel" which originally referred to a townhouse, not a place of accommodation. It then summarizes the main types of hotels as follows: Commercial hotels are located in cities and busy areas. They have many facilities and cater to business travelers staying 2-7 days. Transit hotels are near transportation hubs and cater to short stays of 1-2 days. Resort hotels are located in resort areas and cater to longer leisure stays of a week or more with seasonal influences. Residential hotels provide long term accommodation for stays of 6 months or more. Motels are located

1. Origins of the term:
The word hotel derives from the French hôtel, which referred to a French version of a townhouse, not
a place offering accommodation (in contemporary usage, hôtel has the meaning of "hotel", and hôtel
particulier is used for the old meaning). The French spelling (with the circumflex) was once also used
in English, but is now rare. The circumflex replaces the 's' once preceding the 't' in the earlier hostel
spelling, which over time received a new, but closely related meaning.
The hotels may be classified as follows -
Size of hotel:
By this we mean by assessing the number of rooms available for use and may be ranged as
(a) Less than 100 = small
(b) Between 100 - 300 = medium
(c) Greater than - 300 = large
Commercial Hotel:
Location: In the heart of the cities, busy commercial areas and urban areas.
Type of Guest: Businessmen, company executives or tourists.
Length of stay: Short weekend, business duration between 2-7 days.
Facilities: Almost all facilities of a five star hotel, is most five star hotels are situated in commercial
areas. It includes business centres, health club, swimming pool, 24 hours coffee shop, 24 hours room
service, 2-3 restaurant Bar, Disco, recreational facilities etc.
Transit:
Location: Near the port of entry e.g. sea port, air port, bus stand and railway station.
Type of Guest:
(a) Transit passengers: on route to another destination.
(b) Lay: Over Passengers: Those who have been accommodated in a hotel at the expense of the
airline due to delay of the flight for some or the other reason attributed to the airline.
(c) Air Line Crew:
(d) Businessmen or Tourists:
Length of Stay: 1 or 2 days or even few hours.
Facilities: Like commercial hotels many facilities of high standard.
Resort:

2. Location: In resort areas, where people go for relaxation to enjoy themselves to get away from
hectic city life or to pursue a specific interest or activity e.g. Beach resort, Hill resort and health
resort etc.
Type of Guest: Holiday makers, health fades to sportsmen etc. and conventional also.
Length of stay: Long duration, from a week to a month or even longer.
Seasonal Influence: There is a strong seasonal influence on the running of resort and they have a
distinct on and off season. Thus the numbers of staff employed in these hotels differ and during the
off season special packages are introduced to get more business.
It can be 5 stars, 5 stars deluxe, or similar.
Facilities: Have lesser facilities than commercial hotels like one dining hall, limited house room
service and coffee shop and may be T.V. room as the only entertainment.
Emphasis is given on homely informal atmosphere and causal stress, more social contact between
guest, distinctive from formal brisk and accurate service in commercial hotels, treasure hunts, fancy
dress parties, film shows etc. as added entertainment Recreational facilities differ according to the
location like Table Tennis room, badminton, golf, surfing, water sketing.etc.
Residential Hotels:
Location: Like commercial hotels.
Type of Guest: Long staying guest who are away from home for some reasons and make these
hotels as their homes.
Length of stay: Very long, 6 month to a year or more. Pent is paid either monthly or quarterly or
even yearly but never on daily basis.
Facilities: Less than commercial hotels and minimum of only. Shelter and meals may not
Motels:
Location: on the perimeter of cities and highways.
Type of guest : Motorist, road travellers.
Length of Stay: Short, usually overnight or even 4 to 6 hours.
Facility: As like commercial hotels but also must have the following -
(a) Parking space for each hotel room.
(b) Garage and service station.
(c) Repairing station and also rooms may be provided. With some cooking facilities.