Traveling and hotels are closely connected as the majority of people traveling to another destination will need somewhere to stay overnight. Hotels offer beds within private rooms for short-term stays and cater to a variety of travellers such as business people, weary road trippers or spring breakers. They usually provide a range of services to their guests which influence the star ratings they are given and help to determine their prices. Other types of accommodation options also exist, including hostels, which are often geared towards either the business or leisure travellers.
Hotel amenities can vary greatly and it is worth taking the time to consider what is important to you before making your booking. Some of the most popular and common include towels, toiletries (soap, shower gel, shampoo), slippers, pens and stationery, hair dryers and other bathroom necessities; bed linen, pillows and duvets; and complimentary meals such as breakfast.
When looking at a hotel’s amenities be sure to read the fine print. A number of hotels will include hidden fees that are not included in the quoted price. Some of these can be quite high.
For the budget-minded traveller, homestays have become a popular accommodation option and are often available through sites like Airbnb. A homestay may be a room in someone’s house or it may be a private room in an apartment block. There are also many hostels that offer shared accommodations. Although the social aspect of hostels has largely faded, it is still a viable and affordable option for travellers who don’t need or want to spend too much on their accommodation.
