Traveling and hotels
A hotel is a place to stay while traveling, usually rented on a short-term basis. Hotel rooms can be booked directly with the hotel, through intermediaries like online travel agencies (OTAs), or by other travel service providers such as airlines, railways and ferry operators who may offer hotels in addition to their regular services.
Some hotels are owned and operated by their parent companies, while others are franchised and not managed by the brand owner. This is not always obvious to travellers, as the name of a chain may appear on a property without a clear indication of who owns, operates and/or manages it.
Generally, hotels have fixed check-in and check-out times. These may vary depending on the type of accommodation, but often leave a few hours between check-out and check-in to allow time for housekeeping to prepare rooms for new guests, and to make sure staff is available to help with any problems that might arise.
Many hotels offer a wake-up call service, with the option to request that the front desk contact you at a certain time in the morning to wake you up. This is often included in room and board charges, but it can also be offered as a free or supplementary service for hotel guests.
Some hotels have a reputation for being “luxury” or “budget”, and offer services such as spa treatments, gourmet restaurants, or meeting spaces for business travelers. Other hotels may have a particular focus, such as being family-friendly, or being a popular venue for weddings and other large events.