When traveling many people pick a location and choose the first brand name hotel they come across. This is done because it is safe, they usually know what they are getting. Although common, this may not always be the best strategy. There are many types of accommodations for travelers, not just your basic hotel rooms. I am going to discuss as many of these types of accommodations as I can think of, although the list seems never-ending.
There can be a lot of confusion when picking your living quarters for a trip. Is a 5-star hotel worth it? What is the difference between a hotel and a motel? Should I risk my life and stay at a hostel? I can go on and on, but you get the gist. Knowing the different types of accommodations for travelers can save you a lot of money and make for a more comfortable vacation.
Each accommodation type has its own benefits and drawbacks. I will go over many of these and tell you who I recommend using each. It is important to note different regions will have different options. Just keep this in mind when looking for a place to stay while traveling. Below are the differ types of accommodations for travelers.
1) Hostel
Let us start with the living arrangement so creepy they made a bunch of horror movies about it. I have stayed in a hostel only once in my lifetime…let us just say it was not optimal. I know people that swear by them, I am wondering if they have a body in their trunk. A hostel is a shared living space, sometimes of different sexes. This is not a private area, considering your bunk mate may be a perfect stranger. Of course, you will also not get your own bathroom.
There are no amenities here, do not expect a mint on your pillow, but there certainly may be something on your pillow. No TV, no towels, no room service, just you and some random roommates who may or may not like to play with knives. This is not a family friendly environment unless you are the Mansons. You get a bed, I believe a pillow and some sheets, then you are on your own. Sometimes you are given a place to lock your items up. Safety is a concern, since you are sharing your space with strangers you risk theft of property or worse. Some will say that they are perfectly safe, I have heard too many stories to fully believe this.
Some Advantages…
The main advantage is that hostels are inexpensive. This makes them perfect for college kids or anyone who has a 12 -inch beard. Hostels have come a long way, I was not crazy about mine, but all kidding aside there are some decent ones. You just need to do your research. They also allow you to meet people from all around the world since you are getting so upfront and comfortable. As mentioned, no families or self-respecting adult should be found in one of these, they are perfect for those backpacking through Europe (or wherever). I think I will end my discussion on Hostels by linking to these wonderful stories from Buzzfeed…here.
| Advantages of a Hostel | Disadvantages of a Hostel |
| Cheap | No amenities |
| Might meet people | Shared Room |
| Great for backpackers or someone staying at a city one night | Terrible for Families |
| Safety is a concern |
2) Motels
Those sad, sad places on the side of the road you see when driving on the highway (think Econo Lodge). The main difference from a motel to a hotel is the door faces the road or parking lot in a motel, a hotel has an interior space to get to your room. A motel has about as many amenities as a 1-or 2-star hotel, which is to say none. It is perfect if you need to spend some time burying your sorrows. Really, the main use for a motel is when you are on a long road trip and too tired to drive anymore. It may be suitable for a short-term trip, where all you need to do is crash. The advantage of a motel is that it is usually inexpensive and vacant. Unlike a hostel, you have your own room and bathroom.
Security and cleanliness are the two main drawbacks of a motel. Safety is a concern given that your door opens to a parking lot. There is no front desk screening people that come to your room. Of all the types of accommodations for travelers, this is the lowest caliber of places I have stayed in recently. It is rare you will even find a motel in a tourist area; most likely they will be closer to the road to get to such area.
| Benefits of a Motel | Disadvantages of a Motel |
| Usually close by to the road | Not always safe |
| Very Affordable | No bells and whistles/sometimes dirty |
| Good for a quick stop over | Not a great long-term accommodation for families (or anyone) |
3) Hotels and Their Rating System
This is the type of accommodation that people typically stay in, but for those who do not know a hotel is an establishment that provides lodging on a short-term basis. It is between interior walls and comes with varying amenities unlike motels. The real thing is to understand the difference in the star system. Hotels rank from 1 to 5 stars, 1 being the most basic.
It is important to note that these ratings are subjective, especially across countries. A 3-star rating in Europe, may feel like a 2-star rating in the United States. In terms of ratings, I feel the United States has the best 5-star hotels, there are some places in other countries where their 5-star hotels do not match our 4-star establishments. Some countries use a different rating scale than the United States altogether, but on most of the major trip sites all hotels are ranked 1-to-5 stars. Let me break down the difference in the ratings.
Star Ratings
One-Star Hotel
Bare minimum, you will be lucky if there is not a body mark chalked on your floor. One- star hotels give you nothing extra and you should pray not to have a cockroach crawl across your face. They are motels with and interior. Do not expect a gym, bar, restaurant, room service or mint on your pillow. Which is good because the rat would eat it anyway. Cost could be as low as $30/night and your soul.
Two-Star Hotel
Better than a one-star hotel for sure, but still no amenities. There should be an ice machine and a vending machine with a Snickers from 1964 in it. Some have bars, most do not. They are really like 1-star hotels owned by bigger chains therefore not so shady. Think Days Inn. I still would move on from these if I can afford to. For both one-star and two-star hotels there are no room upgrades (that I know of), do not expect a suite at most 2-star hotels. Still no room service, maybe one of those big backed TVs.
Three-Star Hotel
Now we are starting to move up in the world. Somehow every work trip I would end up at a three-star establishment. It is a bit sad (any time I am in a hotel populated with work travelers it is sad), but they usually have decent services. Usually an OK bar where everyone from the convention gathers or a bad restaurant. Expect a gym with out of date equipment and a terrible buffet breakfast in the mornings. Overall, in terms of types of accommodations for travelers, they are fine if you want a place to rest your head without bedbugs setting up camp in your luggage.
Four-Star Hotel
In terms of types of accommodations this is usually my sweet spot. First, the atmosphere is better than a 3-star establishment, a 4-star hotel is usually well designed and more aesthetically pleasing. Secondly, you can upgrade your room to a suite (you may be able to in a 3-star hotel as well). There is usually at least one, if not more than one hotel bar or restaurant. A gym and probably a spa, both usually nice. You can get a 4-star hotel at a decent price, while still getting most of the luxury of a 5- Star hotel. Even though 4-star hotels vary on amenities, find a good one and you will be happy. Their cost vary among location, expect to pay around$150-$200/Night
Five-Star Hotel
Well la-di-da, it must be nice! These hotels are usually super luxurious (think Ritz Carlton), and the cost will prove it. We are talking $500 + for a room at times. They have all the bells and whistles, the best bars, restaurants etc… Funny thing is the rooms are not necessarily nicer than a 4-Star hotel. I stayed at the Bellagio in Las Vegas for example, beautiful hotel lobby, restaurants etc… the room was just OK, not mind blowing. I am not sure what I expected, but just know unless you upgrade your room it may underwhelm. Still the atmosphere and service are usually second to none, you are paying extra so the company brings their A-game.
This is a loose description for hotel ratings…as mentioned, there is a lot of wiggle room among hotels in terms of quality within star ratings. I look at the star system as a guide, stick to at least a 3-star or more, especially out of the country. Just know, even at the higher levels your experience may vary. Hotels in general are perfect for couples and good for smaller families. I personally have started moving toward the next type of accommodation…
4) Luxury Apartments
You may be confused into thinking these are like AIR BNBs, but that is not correct. I love apartment style housing, because of the quality and value. It is what it sounds like, you are renting an area the size of an apartment, it could be a studio, one bedroom, two bedrooms or more. The reason it is not like an Airbnb is because all the rooms are designated for travelers. Usually operated by a sole proprietor or company that dedicates the building to visitors. A luxury apartment is not some random person renting out their spot… it is a professionally owned establishment created to provide accommodations for tourists.
Amenities….
There is a front desk, or at least someone to meet you at certain times. Other perks of a normal hotel are light. For example, you probably will not have a bar, gym, or room service. You should have maid service, which is something I prefer when traveling.
The benefits of a luxury apartment are a) their size -they are usually the size of a suite or more. B)-The cost-they are usually incredibly cheap for what you get. C) The amenities-sometimes include a full kitchen (at least a fridge), a washer and dryer etc… you are living in an apartment. The design is usually nice and gear toward travelers. Most of the time you can find them in a great location as well, usually in the heart of a city. Of all the types of accommodations for travelers I believe apartments are one of the better choices. For an example of this type of accommodation read my review here, of my Lisbon luxury apartment.
| Pros of an Luxury Apartment | Cons of a Luxury Apartment |
| Full apartment usually with kitchen/washer | Few traditional hotel extras…room service, bar gym etc. |
| A lot of space | Usually owned locally, not by a big chain. Less recourse if something goes wrong. |
| Price is great | Not in every area |
5) Resort
A resort is a type of accommodation for travelers in which mostly everything one can want is on property. Whereas a hotel, may be just one building, a resort is like a compound. They usually have multiple pools, gyms, maybe a tennis court, and various other amenities. There a million different types of resorts. Some just for couples, some for families, and everything in-between. There are also resorts that are all-inclusive, meaning all the alcohol and food you want for one set price.
Resorts are usually located (but not limited to) the beach or in warm environments. This type of establishment is for people who do not want to leave their living space, not the explorer. It is a perfect place to lie on the beach and just enjoy the relaxation of it all. As mentioned, there are usually a ton of attractions on a resort, some have water slides, arcades, etc… Of course, not all resorts are on the beach, one of our favorites is the Omni Grove Park Inn, in the mountains of Asheville (read my review of Asheville here).
Pros/Cons of a Resort
- All the activities in one place
- (Most are) Great for Kids
- Very little thinking to do on your trip/mostly everything taken care of
- Not ideal for those who like to explore a new area
- Price could be high
6) Bed and Breakfast
Owned primarily by one person/couple a bed and breakfast is more like staying at someone’s house than a hotel. Usually, you get a genuinely nice, perhaps somewhat dated room with a private bath. As the name implies you also get breakfast, which could range from just pastries to an assortment of eggs, pancakes, etc. There will be few if any other guests, it is perfect for couples, not good for kids. The owners will most likely be helpful, they will be from the area and can give you good advice as to what to see and where to eat. Cost are usually in line with hotels in the area but vary. It is perfect for couples who want a quiet place to spend some time with each other.
- Great for Couples
- Quiet romantic atmosphere
- Not a ton of amenities
- Bad for large groups and families
7) Rent a House
This is where Airbnb and similar websites come in, there are certainly advantages and disadvantages to renting a vacation home. First the advantages, they are cheaper than that of equivalent hotel rooms. If you have a big family or are planning a bachelor party vacation with 10 people, it is certainly worth looking into. You also get all the amenities of a home. Kitchen, multiple bathrooms, etc… it makes life easier.
Ok, some disadvantages… you never know what the person is like who is renting you the home. It isn’t the Marriott; you can have some strange people renting you a house with weird rules. This would be the exception not the rule, but it happens. You also do not get the benefit of a daily maid service. Lastly, these homes may be a little further from major attractions than a hotel or apartment. If you are on the beach you are usually in good shape, but some of the bigger cities might not have them in ideal locations.
Renting a house changes the dynamics of a trip for me, little interaction with other people and you lose some of the services you get from a hotel or even an apartment. My use of Air B&B is situational, on a trip to Europe probably not, if I am going to Asheville, a bachelor party, or the beach for a weekend, I will consider it.
Pros/Cons of Renting a House
- Perfect For a large Group
- Price is Right
- Kitchen/Washing machine usually available
- Not always in an ideal location
- No amenities
- Can get a strange owner with weird rules
Location Specific Accommodations
I am going to go through some unique types of accommodations for travelers, many are country/location specific. Some of these I have stayed in, others I just have seen. As I travel more, I am sure I will run into many strange new places. As of now here are a few I have come across.
8) Pod Hotels -Japan
Exactly what it sounds like, you are basically living in a POD. You get a bed like a capsule, and that is all. I hope to believe there is a shared bathroom at least, but that is about it. To me they look like you are a specimen in a sci-fi movie. I guess these are safer than hostels. My preference is not to have my nights spent in what amounts to a glorified coffin. Like a hostel, good for a lone traveler.
9) Riad -Morocco
What is a Riad? A Riad is a type of accommodation found in Morocco (you can read my review of Morocco here), it is a hotel with a courtyard or garden as its interior. I did stay in one of these in Marrakesh, it was really a wonderful visit. Smaller and quieter than a normal hotel, it is like a bigger family run establishment. We had dinner and breakfast on the roof which was enjoyable. To get into ours we had to knock on the establishments door and wait (every time). We also had to leave our room key with the front desk when we left, just to give you an idea of what the country is like. Overall, if one stays in Morocco I recommend a Riad. They are beautiful, comfortable, and very affordable. Perfect for couples.
10) Glamping
You will only do this if you are camping in the woods. I do not have any glamping pictures (yet), but it is really just glamourous camping. You are staying in the woods, in what looks like a cross between a room and a tent. They usually have adjustable temperature and a real bed…they are for people who like to camp, but still remember we are in the 21st century. Perfect for couples (maybe families) who like to camp, but not really like to camp.
11) Plantations – Deep South of The United States
Many of these (but not all) have an unfortunate history in the country and some may find it wrong to stay in them, which is understandable. My preference is not to judge a place for its worst historical parts. These days plantations are a good option for those who want to be close to a big city (such as New Orleans or Charleston) but far enough to enjoy some peace. They offer tours of the grounds and many have wineries attached to them. They offer a unique experience for travelers to the south. The price is right, and it will give you a rare perspective of the area you are staying in.
12) Love Hotels Japan/Thailand
I saw these mainly in Bangkok and Japan, these hotels… You know what forget I said anything. Do not bring your kids here please, or your wife for that matter! Perfect for that lone single traveler.
Types of Accommodations: Conclusion
I think I got everything, let me know if I have forgotten one or two. There are many types of accommodations for travelers. What you choose depends on many factors, such as where you are going, who you are with and what your budget looks like. It is my hope that this post points you in the right direction as to which to choose.
