A hotel is a commercial establishment offering lodging to travellers and sometimes to permanent residents, and often having restaurants, meeting rooms, stores and other facilities available to the general public. The hotel industry is very large, and the accommodation offered varies from budget hotels to five-star luxury hotels.
Hotels may also provide other services such as conference facilities, health clubs, concierge service, banqueting and catering. Many hotels also operate a business center for the convenience of their guests and clients. The organizational structure of a hotel is established by its formal structures and systems that determine how power and responsibility are shared among the management staff and employees of the establishment. This is represented by an organization chart, and varies from one hotel to another depending on the size and function of each establishment.
A large number of hotels are located in the city centers of major cities and tourist destinations. This is due to the fact that most people who are traveling for business or leisure prefer to stay in a central location where it is easy to access all of the must-see sights and best neighborhoods. These hotels are usually found within walking distance of the major transport hubs, and they offer a wide range of amenities to their guests.
Rooms at a hotel are usually categorized by their star ratings. The higher the star rating, the more luxurious the room will be. The standards that must be met for a room to receive a certain star rating are generally agreed upon by the hotel industry and are published in hotels’ literature and on their websites.
The most common room features include a bed, a cupboard or wardrobe, a table, a television set, and a bathroom. Some modern hotels also provide internet connectivity, a mini bar with snacks and drinks (the consumption of which is charged to the guest’s bill), and tea and coffee making facilities with a kettle and cups or mugs.
For long term stays, hotels can provide a level of privacy and comfort that cannot be achieved with other types of housing. This is especially true for corporate travelers who may be relocating to a new city for extended periods of time. Hotels can also provide housekeeping services, which means that you will not have to worry about cleaning your own apartment or house.
The concept of hospitality to travellers dates back to ancient times, with examples such as inns and taverns. However, the modern hotel was born in the second half of the eighteenth century, when the ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe became increasingly popular with scions of wealthy British families, who were sent out to learn about other countries and cultures as part of their education. These wealthy adventurers needed accommodation along the way, and far-sighted entrepreneurs saw an opportunity. The first hotels were small and basic, but gradually evolved into the large hotels of today. Their success was facilitated by the invention of railway travel, which made it possible for more people to afford to travel.
