Traveling and hotels provide accommodation for travellers and guests. They are generally found in cities, town centres, near airports, railway stations and bus terminals. They can range from small “mom-and-pop” joints with a few rooms to large resorts with hundreds of rooms. They can also vary in atmosphere, from quiet, peaceful and quaint to noisy, rowdy and fun.
Unlike hostels, which are more geared towards meeting fellow travelers, hotels are generally less social and may not be the best option for those traveling solo. However, they do offer more privacy and convenience. They are often cheaper than hostels and provide a more consistent experience as repeat travellers can expect to receive the same standards at any hotel within a certain brand.
The quality of a hotel can be judged by its star rating, which is usually based on objective criteria and enforced by tourism officials or a hotel association. In some cases, independent organisations may be willing to rate hotels based on subjective criteria as well.
It is possible to book a room at a reduced price by booking in advance. This is because hotels want to manage occupancy efficiently and are interested in having as many of their rooms booked in advance as possible. They therefore have a number of rates available which are lower than the standard rate quoted at the front desk, sometimes even requiring booking 21 days in advance. In addition, most hotels allow cancellation until the night of stay to encourage people to book early.