Accommodation

Tourism & Travel

The Hospitality Sector

Start

The Hospitality Sector

Accommodation

Accommodation is a key component of tourism. When we travel, we need a place to stay! The choice of accommodation depends on the type of holiday, the location, the tourist’s preferences and the budget available.

Depending on the preference, there are two types of accommodation:

Servicedaccommodation (or Catered Accommodation)

Self-cateringaccommodation (or Non-catered)

Serviced Accommodation

When guests stay in serviced accommodation, meals and other facilities are provided. The facilities available are usually indicated with symbols on websites and brochures. They range from parking, room service, free Wi-Fi to hotel concierge services, gyms, hairdressers and tennis courts. Within the room, you may find things like tea and coffee making facilities, Tv and courtesy sets (e.g. shampoo).

Watch out!

Things like towels and bathrobe are not to be taken as souvenirs!

Some hotels have introduced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) – a versatile technology using tags for identifying and tracking items – to prevent theft.

Hotel

There is a wide choice of types of serviced accommodation, but the most common and traditional is the hotel. One important factor when determining types of hotels is the star rating system (diamonds in the USA). This system is based on the quality of services and the number of facilities offered. Hotels are usually rated from one to five stars – from basic to luxurious. However it is not easy to compare hotels in different countries as there is no official international rating system, each country has its own.

Lately, a compromise has emerged. A number of European countries have joined the Hotelstars Union to apply almost identical criteria for their hotel classification.

Star Rating

Hotel

Hotels can be run independently or be a part of larger chains. Hotel chains (e.g. Hilton) provide the same quality standards, facilities and services in their properties throughout the world.

Many international groups often include several chains within them, aiming at different types of customers. In this case, not all hotels are owned by the company. Some are run on a franchise arrangement (e.g. Best Western).

Hotel

Budget hotels

Hotels are classified according to location, function and levels of service they offer.

Airport hotels

Resort hotels

Boutique hotel

Motels

Business and conference hotel

Micro hotels

Albergo diffuso (scattered hotel)

Luxury hotels

Hotel

• Budget Hotels

A budget hotel (or economy hotel) is a small property that offers basic facilities and services for a low price (e.g. very few staff, just one person at the reception desk, no room service).

In terms of hotel star ratings, 1- and 2-star hotels are considered budget accommodations.

Hotel

• Airport Hotels

They are located inside or very close to an airportarea. In this case the offer shuttle services to and from the airport. Most guests at an airport hotel are likely to stay only one night.

Airport hotels accommodate air travelers who have lengthy layovers or have aircraft canceled, as well as business clients and airline employees. Unlike regular hotels, airport hotels charge their visitors by the hour rather than daily or nightly.

Hotel

• Resort Hotels

Resort hotels are usually luxurious hotels located nearholiday attractions such as beaches, mountains, or in some other exotic locations away from cities. They provide special activities such as golf, tennis, horsebackriding, nature hikes, sailing, skiing, swimming, dancing, etc.

Resort is a self-contained establishment, often used as a wedding location. They often form part of a package holiday.

Hotel

• Boutique Hotels

Usually small, luxurious hotels set in fashionable urban locations that provide more personalized service than typical hotels. They treat guests in a way that make them feel truly at home.

There can be continuous theme that runs throughout all of their rooms and public spaces or a different theme for each room. Boutique hotels are all about staying true to the local culture, from the cuisine to the décor.

Hotel

• Motels

Common in the USA, motels are buildings with one or two floors located next to major motorways and roads. The rooms lead directly onto a car parking area. They were designed for people driving long distances between states, before flying became the preferred method of transport.

Nowadays many have closed down, although they are still popular with those looking for a slice of old-time America as they drive along Route 66.

Hotel

• Business and conference hotels

They are aimed at business travellers and companies. Usually located in strategic points (city centre or business districts). Specialised in the organisation of conventions, meetings and conferences. They provide everything needed during these events

(e.g. audio-visual equipment and catering)

They can be chosen for social events too, such as parties, wedding receptions and celebrations.

Hotel

• Micro hotels

Often known as microtels. They represent an adaptation of the Japanese capsule hotels. The physical space for these rooms or buildings is about half of those of standard hotels.

They are suitable for short stays or for those who want to save money.

Hotel

• Albergo diffuso

Or Scattered Hotels, it's a tourism formula wholly made in Italy. Conceived in the 80s by professor Giancarlo Dall’Ara in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. The rooms accommodating tourists are ‘scattered’ across different restored buildings, all within walking distance of one another.

The aim is to encourage an exchange between guests and the local community. Unlike Airbnb and farm stays, this type of accommodation offers an experience in a non-hotel but with the services of a hotel (e.g. reception).

Exercise

Hotel

• Luxury hotels

A Luxury Hotel is considered a hotel that provides a luxurious accommodation experience to the guest. They offer extremely high levels of service including things like private spas and Michelin-starred restaurants.

Exercise

Usually referred to 4/5 stars hotels.

Exercise

Exercise

Exercise

Guest accommodation

Referred to cheaper and more informal accommodation than traditional hotels. Usually operated as family businesses, more informal, much simpler services.

Bed & Breakfasts

It includes

Guesthouses

Inns

Farmhouses

B&Bs

This term simply indicates a service in which breakfast is included in the room rate and is served in a common dining area. They usually have few rooms with shared facilities or private bathrooms (en-suite rooms).

Sometimes the owners live in the house and do the cleaning.

Guesthouses

Mainly family businesses. Bigger than B&Bs.Quality ranges from simple to luxurious. Some guesthouses provide evening meals, a communal lounge area or a bar.

A guest house will probably employ some staff for cleaning and cooking. Check-in is often by appointment.

Inns

They are typically pubs that provide accommodation and breakfast Often in the countryside and small villages.

Sometimes they provide food in the pub restaurant at lunchtime and in the evening. N.B. Other types of serviced accommodation might use the word ‘inn’ as part of their name so as to evoke a particular style (e.g. Holiday inn).

Farmhouses

They usually offer apartments equipped with independentservices and provide breakfast prepared using seasonal ingredients of their own production. They can range from basic to luxury.

Sometimes they include activities for guest such as farming and harvesting. For those who want to stay in contact with nature, culture and local people.

Self-catering accommodation

All those types of accommodation in which people have to do their own cleaning, cooking and shopping. Greater freedom, flexibility and independence.

Self- catered VS Non-catered

Offers cooking facilities, such as a small kitchen and cooking equipment.

Room-only accommodation with no cooking facilities.

Rented properties

Airbnb

Or a holiday homes. Most suitable for families with children, older people or larger group. They offer real living space.

They range from studios, to larger flats, villas, cottages andbungalows, chalets and log cabins, houseboats and yachts. They are furnished, with fully-equipped kitchen. Guests pay for the accommodation and finalcleaning, and very often they are charged extra for bed linen or towels.

Accommodation on a budget

Other options are provided by youth hostels, residences at universities and other organisations (e.g. religious institutions). Youth hostels are a popular option, especially with young people, backpackers and those on a budget.

They often provide dormitory-style accommodation, with shared rooms and bunk beds. Most hostels belong to Hostelling International, a non-profit network. Conceived by Richard Schirrmann, a German teacher who proposed to use empty schools as accommodation for young people.

Accommodation on a budget

Residences at universities: Many universities and colleges rent out student accommodation to tourists in the holiday periods. Often close to city centres or on a campus. Single or double rooms, with private or shared bathroom.

Religious institutions:Monasteries and convents. Often located near important religious sites or historical cities. The downside is that there is usually a curfew, which means guests must return by a certain time in the evening.

Campsites

Inexpensive choice for nature lovers travelling with their vehicle. They provide space for tents, caravans and motorhomes. They usually offer a number of facilities (e.g. play areas or swimming pools).

Glamping - a new luxurious way of camping It is a growing trend that combines outdoor life and home comforts. You do not have to pack a tent, sleeping bag and pillow; everything is already there. Accommodation ranges from glamping pods and tree houses toMongolian yurts and Indian tipis (or teepees).

LET'S PRACTICE

Complete the review with the correct words

More

Free Accommodation

It's an alternative form of accommodation. House swapping (or home exchange): Two parties (often families or couples) exchange their homes for a period of time in order to have a holiday in the other location. It's not mandatory to swap the same kind of property. Naturally, the whole scheme relies on trust and respect between the house swappers.

Sofa surfing (or couch surfing):Particularly popular with young people. The hosts are people who decide to offer a sofa or spare bed to tourists for a few nights at no cost;

Although they are not directly contributing to the hospitality industry, they are still economically important to the area (transport, restaurants and local attractions).

LET'S PRACTICE

Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences about the types of self-catering accommodation

Choosing accommodation

Beside the type of room, the size of the structure and the facilities and services that a place may offer, there is one more factor which can influence the choice: meals! Structures usually offer various types of board options.

HB (Half Board) (Includes breakfast and a meal, usually dinner)

B&B (the only meal provided is breakfast)

TYPES OF BOARD

All-inclusive (Includes all meals, snacks and drinks and often activities)

FB (Full Board) (Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Booking accommodation

To book a place people usually use the Global distribution system The GDS is a computerised reservation system that connects buyers (travel agents and the public) with sellers (hoteliers, airlines etc.) When a travel agent books a room, the GDS transfers the reservationinformation to the hotel’s system and removes that room from the hotel system’s inventory.

Contact

THANKS!

Read the webpage and fill in the table.

Name of hotel: Type of hotel: Location: town country Open: from to Types of accommodation offered: Facilities included in the price:

Listen to a tour guide describing The Old Ferry boat Inn in Cambridgeshire (UK) and say if the sentences are true (T) or false (F)

1 The roof of the Old Ferryboat Inn is painted white. 2 It was built in the 6th century. 3 It has a spirit living in the building. 4 Juliet appears every night in the rooms. 5 The guide offers a drink to the person who orders lunch first

It's an online travel website that connects house owners, who want to rent their homes to make some extra money, to travellers looking for accommodation which is cheaper and more homely than hotels. Founded in 2008 in the USA.

Glamping pod is a contemporary and luxurious cabin. Indian tipi is a conical lodge tent common to the North American Indians.

Mongolian yurt is a portable, round tent covered and insulated with skins.

Informal service. Small guest rooms. Private bathrooms are not always included. Reception 12 h/d. Room cleaning once a day, towels and linen every 3 days.

Better standards of cleanliness. Better rooms. Private bathrooms. TV and telephone.

Nice spacious rooms with larger bathrooms. they offer a reastaurant bar and lounge. Room service is available and there may be a small pool or fitness centre.

Comfortable guest rooms Services often include pool, fitness centre, and 24-hour room service. king-size beds, minibars, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, safety deposit boxes, bathrobes, and complimentary toiletries.

Luxurious range of services - swimming pool, spa and sports facilities. Elegant and stylish rooms and suites with a lot of amenities, including computer points and WiFi connections, plasma TVs, jacuzzi baths, etc. Restaurants with extensive gourmet menus, room service and reception 24 hours a day.

What is a franchise agreement?

It is a contractual agreement between a franchisor (the business owner) and a franchisee. The franchisor allows the franchisee to use their intellectual property, brand, and systems in exchange for periodic or one-time payments. In few words the franchisee pays for the right to use the hotel name, Increasing the likelihood and success of an hotel.

Studios are small flats that combine living room, bedroom andkitchenette into one single room. Flats (or apartments) come with kitchen, living room and at least one bedroom. Cottages and bungalows are located in coastal or ruralsettings. Chalets and cabins are in mountain areas.