classificationofhotelestablishmentsandothertypesofaccommodation(Ii)

Other Types of Tourist Accommodation

The range of accommodation options is completed with various modalities that cater to specific market niches.

Tourist camps or campsites are open-air spaces prepared to accommodate travelers who sleep in tents or in their own caravans.

Typically located in natural settings such as beaches or mountains, they offer essential services such as drinking water, toilets and electricity, the cost of which is calculated per day of stay.

Spas are a type that combines accommodation with health and wellness services, specializing in the use of medicinal, thermal and mineral waters for baths and treatments.

They often complement their offer with massages, gyms and beauty treatments. There are also simpler and cheaper options.

Hostels offer accommodation at a lower price than a hotel, and shared bathrooms are common.

Bed and breakfasts are even more basic, offering accommodation without any additional services.

Finally, the Bed and Breakfast (B&B) format, as its name suggests, focuses on providing "bed and breakfast" at a very affordable rate, being a very popular option for travelers on a budget who just need a place to sleep and their first meal of the day.

Each of these types has its own audience and, therefore, its own requirements for the hotel department.

International Hotel Brands and Chains

International hotel brands are a very common choice for many travelers, especially business clients.

The main reason for their popularity is that they generally offer service and facilities with a standardized predictability, which guarantees a certain level of quality and experience regardless of the country in which they are located.

Although these establishments are rarely characterized by being fantastic or exceptionally luxurious, their strength lies in their reliability.

However, it is important for both customers and industry professionals to know that there can be considerable variation in quality, age, and specific services between different hotels of the same brand.

Some of the best-known international hotel chains in the sector include:

• InterContinental Hotels Group
• Wyndham Hotel Group
• Marriott International
• Hilton Hotels Corp.
• Choice Hotels International
• Accor
• Best Western International
• Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
• Carlson Hospitality Worldwide
• Global Hyatt Corp.
• TUI AG/TUI Hotels & Resorts
• Sol Meliá

Summary

There are accommodations for specific niches. Campsites allow you to spend the night outdoors, surrounded by nature. Spas, on the other hand, combine lodging with health and wellness treatments.

For tight budgets, hostels offer affordable accommodation, sometimes with shared bathrooms. Guesthouses are even more basic, and B&Bs include only bed and breakfast.

International hotel chains guarantee standardized and reliable service, attracting business clients due to their predictability. However, quality can vary between hotels of the same brand.