Different Types of Hotel Rooms

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The hospitality industry is as old as time itself, with the earliest recorded examples dating back to 15,000 B.C.E. when caves in France were designated to house visiting tribes. The hospitality and tourism sectors have come a long way since their beginnings in Paleolithic Europe, and the industry is undergoing changes alongside human society.

Even though the practice of hospitality may predate history itself, the terminology used to describe it arose from the French word hospice, which means “to provide care/shelter for travelers.” What started off as a rest point for weary travelers along their journeys would eventually become the flourishing industry we know today.

Hospitality is a dynamic, ever-evolving industry filled with opportunities for growth. The path to a prosperous, fulfilling career is built on education, experience, and a love of the industry and people. An emphasis on education and understanding the ins and outs of the hospitality industry are keys to successfully traversing the corporate hierarchy underlying it.

Understanding the industry’s specifics, such as the different types of hotel rooms, is not only one of the core skill sets you’ll need to climb the corporate ladder at a given hotel, but it’s also one of the most important tool sets you’ll need to deliver an awesome customer experience to your guests.

The more you understand the industry’s specifics, such as the functions and distinctions between the different types of hotel rooms, the more likely your guests are to enjoy themselves at your hotel. With an understanding of the different types of hotel rooms, you can tailor your hotel’s experience around the different needs and personalities of your various guests.

Understanding Hotel Room Classifications

If you want to understand the different types of hotel rooms, you must first understand how hotels are classified. Hotel classifications are one of the best ways to gauge the quality of a hotel and the different types of rooms it offers. The way hotels are classified varies depending on the country they are in. The higher a hotel’s rating, the fancier the rooms and the higher the level of service.

Globally, most hotels are rated on a system of stars, with one star being the lowest rating a hotel can get. Some countries, such as France, start with a 0-star rating on their scaling system. In most European countries, hotels are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with five representing the best in the hospitality industry. The same is true for Australia and Canada, with the exception of half-star increments in their rating system.

The criteria for assigning a particular rating to a hotel differ from country to country, and there is no internationally accepted standard embraced by the hospitality industry at large. There are attempts to create a universal rating system for the hospitality industry, but this has proven difficult due to its diversity. An excellent example of an attempt to create a universal classification system is the Nordic-Baltic Classification, in which six European countries (Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) agree to, adopt, and share the same minimum quality standards for hotels in this region.

In some countries, hotel classification is compulsory for all hotels, with star ratings determined by local government agencies or independent organizations. Countries such as France and Portugal have nationwide government-run rating agencies. At other times, the management of the hospitality industry is assigned to the regional governments within the country, such as in Italy and Spain.

In some cases, rating management is a public-corporate partnership, and England currently uses this system. In Italy, for example, ratings are assigned based on two methods: minimum score and minimum requirements. This rating system assigns hotel stars based on a point system. Specific amenities and features count as points towards obtaining a star. A private bathroom counts for 30 points, room service 10 points, and a TV in each room carries with it 5 points. In Italy’s hospitality industry, a 1-star rating requires 30 points, 80 points for a 2-star rating, 128 points for a 3-star rating, 187 points for a 4-star rating, and 240 points for a 5-star rating.

Rating systems are an essential and often reliable metric by which the standard of a hotel can be judged. But it is important to remember that these categories aren’t uniform throughout the world; thus, what may count as a five-star hotel in one part of the world may not be the case in another. In other cases, a hotel’s ranking might not meet the expectations of guests as sometimes there is a difference between a hotel’s classification and the services it offers.

Common Types of Hotel Rooms

• • Single room: This is a hotel room designed for one person. It often has enough square footage to accommodate one guest, alongside standard amenities such as a single or double bed, a small desk for work purposes, and a private bathroom.
  • Double Room: A good option for traveling couples or duos, double rooms are the best budget-friendly options for travelers looking for a temporary abode with a bit more legroom than a single room. The configuration of most double rooms varies based on several factors, but for the most part, a double room houses a single king or queen size bed. However, this is different from the rule as some double rooms offer two full or queen-size beds alongside each other. As such, the amenities housed within a double room are intended for sharing by its patrons. Thus, even though they may offer two beds in certain instances, double rooms often contain the same features, such as a TV, desk, and bathroom, as you’d find in a single room, just with added footage.
  • Triple Room: As implied by the name, a triple room is designed to house three different occupants. It offers guests three separate full or queen-size beds to sleep on and the appropriate square footage to house three guests. Some triple rooms come with two twin beds and one sofa bed suitable for a child, with amenities that are to be shared amongst its occupants, such as a single television, desk, and bathroom.
  • Quad Room: A quad room is a hotel room that is designed to accommodate four separate guests within a single space. They typically consist of two double beds or four single beds that can comfortably house four people. It has a single en-suite bathroom with a sink and ablution facilities such as a bathroom, shower, and toilet. Wardrobe and closet space to house guests’ belongings, such as clothes. A single small desk or table to accommodate guests’ work and dining needs. Entertainment options include a single television for guests and storage facilities for snacks and beverages, such as a fridge. Some highly rated hotels feature additional premium services such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi, room service, and safety features such as safety for valuables and smoke detectors.

Type of Hotel Rooms Based on Beds

Beds are another metric by which guests can assess a hotel room. Most guests look to beds as a marker of a hotel’s standards alongside a room’s occupancy capacity.

• • Queen Bed: A queen-size bed is larger than a double or full-sized bed but still smaller than a king-size bed. Queen beds can comfortably accommodate two full-grown adults. By American standards, your common queen-size bed tends to be 60 inches (152 cm) wide and 80 inches (203 cm) long.

• • King Bed: As implied by the name, a king bed offers considerably more legroom than a queen bed. It is designed to house two full-grown adults, but it has a bigger surface area than a queen bed, making the sleeping experience more comfortable. The average king bed is 76 inches (193 cm) wide and 80 inches (203 cm) long. Due to the extra space and comfort it offers, a hotel room with a king bed is often a sign of luxury and opulence.

• • Twin Bed: A twin bed commonly refers to a single bed that is designed to house a single person. They are often found in hotel rooms designed to host more than one guest, such as a twin room, which houses two patrons at a time. A standard twin bed often measures 38 inches (97 cm) in width and 75 inches (191 cm) in length. Twin beds are employed in hotel rooms where guests may travel together but prefer to have separate sleeping arrangements. They also allow for hotel rooms that are single-occupancy to accommodate the need for two separate guests looking for individual sleeping arrangements.

• • Double Twin: A double twin bed is indicative of hotel rooms that offer two queen-sized beds. These rooms cater to small groups of patrons or families and are relatively spacious in size. The setup of a hotel room with a double twin bed usually consists of two twin beds placed side-by-side or near each other. Rooms with double twin beds are the preferred choice of travelers sharing a room but prefer to sleep in separate beds.

• • Studio Rooms: A studio room within the hospitality sphere typically refers to single-room accommodation that combines living and sleeping quarters into a single space. Studio rooms are a different take on conventional hotel room designs and offer guests a level of flexibility and space unparalleled in more traditional rooms. They often consist of an open-plan kitchen or kitchenette alongside a living area and sleeping space. Studio rooms are a popular option for guests wanting more space and freedom and staying in a location for prolonged periods.

Type of Hotel Room Based on Offerings

Hotel rooms vary in terms of their offerings to travelers, such as room amenities, size, and layout, in an attempt to cater to the diverse needs of their clientele. The following are some of the most common types of hotel rooms based on their offerings.

• • Standard Room: As the name implies, a standard room is an entry-level hotel room that offers basic amenities such as a bed, private bathroom, and furnishings. These rooms typically accommodate solo travelers or couples traveling on a budget. Travelers also patronize them on a nightly basis as opposed to prolonged stays.

• • Deluxe Rooms: Deluxe rooms serve as an upgrade on standard rooms in terms of their upgraded features and amenities. They tend to be larger than standard rooms, offering more space for guests to move around. They also provide high-quality bedding with more extensive, luxurious beds than standard rooms, upscale furnishings, and stylish decor. Another feature of deluxe rooms is desirable views of the surrounding area, such as ocean vistas.

• • Accessible Room: An accessible room is an inclusive wing of the hospitality industry designed to cater to guests with disabilities. Known as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) complaint rooms, they have various features and amenities that make them accessible to those with disabilities. These include rooms with wider doorways and hallways that can accommodate both wheelchairs and mobility aids, as well as ablution facilities that consider the mobility issues of those with disabilities. These rooms are designed to provide guests with disabilities with an all-inclusive stay without the barriers average hotel rooms might pose.

Particular Types of Hotel Rooms

Within the hospitality industry, specialty rooms are designed to cater to guests’ more extravagant needs. These rooms are distinguished by their unique features and amenities tailored to enhance the guests’ stay. The following are some of the most popular examples of specialty hotel rooms.

• • Honeymoon Suite: One of the most well-known specialty hotel rooms is the honeymoon suite. These rooms are romantically themed accommodations designed for newlywed couples. They consist of luxurious amenities such as a jacuzzi, a four-poster bed, and a private balcony or terrace overlooking scenic views that add to the ambiance of couples on a romantic getaway.

• • Presidential Suite: The presidential suite is a hotel’s most spacious and luxurious room. It houses VIP guests such as celebrities and presidents. Presidential suites have a number of premium features and lavish amenities, such as multiple bedrooms, a grand living room, a private elevator, a personal butler, and private access to some of the hotel’s exclusive features.

• • Underwater Rooms: Some luxury hotels, like Atlantis—The Palm in Dubai—offer underwater rooms or suites where guests can rest, overlooking breathtaking ocean and marine life views. These are some of the most unique hotel rooms on the market and count as an entire experience or trip in themselves. Resorts located in tropical destinations near coral reefs or marine sanctuaries are the ones that are most likely to house underwater rooms.

Rooms within the hospitality industry are an incredibly diverse and varied aspect of hotels that cater to every preference or need a traveler may have. To truly offer the best service to travelers looking to make their hotel stays part of their holiday experience, it is essential to understand the industry’s intricacies. By familiarizing yourself with the ins and outs of hotel rooms, you set yourself up as an expert in hospitality and stand poised to reap its benefits. By understanding the different types of hotel rooms and their classification, you can guide guests to a hotel room that suits their unique needs and budget.