classification of hotel

CLASSIFICATION OF HOTELS

CLASSIFICATION ON THE BASIS OF OWNERSHIP • Hotels can be categorized by ownership. There are

six different ways hotels can be owned and operated 

• Independently owned and operated• Independently owned but leased to an operator• Owned by a single entity or group that has hired a

hotel management company to operate the property

• Owned and operated by a chain• Owned by an independent investor or group and

operated by a chain• Owned by an individual group and operated as a

franchise of a chain

An independent hotel is not connected with any established hotel company and is owned by individual or group investors. A management company contracts with hotel owners to operate their hotels. The management company may or may not have any of its own funds invested. It is usually paid by a combination of fees plus a share of revenues and profits. A hotel chain is a group of affiliated hotels.

Example: The Capitol, Bangalore, The Imperial, New Delhi

A franchise is the authorization granted by a hotel chain to an individual hotel to use the chain’s trade mark, operating systems, and reservation system in return for a percentage of hotel revenues plus certain other fees, such as advertising fees. A franchiser is the party granting the franchise: holiday inn worldwide is an example of franchisor.Example: Le Meridien, Holiday inn

CHAIN HOTELSHotel chains account for a large percentage of the world’s hotel room inventory. Some of the world’s best hotel rooms are managed by chains. Example: Taj Group of Hotels, ITC Chain of Hotels.

Luxury hotels At the top of the price category are the luxury

hotels. They feature upscale décor and furnishings that may be unique to the particular hotel. These hotels offer a full range of amenities and services. Such hotels would typically have a concierge service and several food and beverage operations, including fine dining facilities, banquet area and full room service. Different types of recreational facilities are also available.

Example: Taj Westend, Bangalore, The Leela Palace, Bangalore

HOTELS CLASSIFIED BASED ON SIZE

Size or the number of guest rooms in a property gives us one common way to categorize hotels. Hotels may be broadly grouped as under:

 •       Under 150 rooms•       150 to 299 rooms•       300 to 600 rooms•       More than 600 room

BASED ON LOCATION & CLIENTELE

Commercial Hotel These hotels are located in downtown or

business district–areas that are convenient and of interest to their target markets. And cater primarily to the business traveler. These are also referred to as transient hotels because of the relatively short length of guest stays compared with other hotels. Such of these hotels have full service facilities with coffee shop as well as other restaurants, bar or cocktail lounge, room service, laundry, valet service, business center, gift shop and health club facilities.

Example: Taj Residency & The Oberoi Bangalore

Airport hotel  Many airport hotels enjoy a very high occupancy because

of the large number or travelers arriving and departing from major airports. The guest mix in airport hotels consists of business, group, and leisure travelers. Passengers of late flights may stay over at the airport hotel while others wait while waiting for the flights. Airport hotels are generally full service. To care for the needs of guests who may still feel as if they are different time zones, room service and restaurant timing may be extended, even offered twenty four hours.

  Example: The Trident, Chennai: The Centaur, New Delhi 

Motels  Freeway hotels and motels came into prominence in the

1950s and 1960s.the travelers needed a convenient place to stay that was reasonably priced with few frills. Guest could simply drive up, park outside the office, register, and rent a room .over the years more facilities were added: lounges, restaurants, pools, game rooms etc.

  Example: The Guest line, Bangalore, Suman Motels

Resorts A resort is a place used for relaxation or

recreation, attracting visitors for vacations and /or tourism. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company.

Floatel Floating Accommodation & other allied hospitality services situated on water bodies. Example: Cruise liners, shikaras (house boats)

Rotel  Hotel facilities available on wheels such as a train, caravan.  Example: Palace on wheels

STAR CLASSIFICATION 

ONE STAR Typically smaller hotels managed by the proprietor. The hotel is often has a more personal atmosphere. It is usually located near affordable attractions, major intersections and convenient to public transportation. Furnishings and facilities are clean but basic. Most will not a restaurant on site but are usually within walking distance to some good low priced dining.

 •    The hotel should have at least 10 lettable bed rooms of which at least 25% should have attached bathrooms with a bathroom for every four of the remaining rooms.•   At least 25% of the bathrooms should have the western style WCs.• Receptions counter with a telephone and a telephone for the

use of guests.Example: Hotel Ajanta, Bangalore

TWO STAR    Usually denotes independent and name brand hotel chains with a

reputation for offering consistent quality amenities. The hotel is usually small to medium sized and conveniently located to moderately priced attractions. The facilities typically include telephones and TVs in the bed room some hotels offer limited restaurant service. Somehow room service and bell service are not usually provided.

 •   The hotel should have at least 10 lettable bed rooms of which at

least 75% should have attached bathrooms and showers with a bathroom for every four of the remaining rooms.

•   25% of the rooms should have AC.• Receptions counter with a telephone•  Telephone on each floor if the rooms do not have a telephone each.•  Supervisory staff must understand English.•  Laundry and dry cleaning services. Example: woodlands Hotel, Bangalore, Kamath Yatrinivas, Bangalore 

THREE STAR   Typically these hotels offer spacious accommodations that include

well appointed rooms, decorated lobbies. Bell desk services are generally not available. They are often located near major express ways or business areas, convenient to shopping and moderate to high priced attractions. The hotels usually feature medium sized restaurants they typically offer breakfast through dinner. Room service availability may vary. Valet parking, fitness centers, pools are often provided.

 •  The hotel should have at least 20 lettable bed rooms of which all

should have attached bathrooms and tubs/showers.•   At least 50% of the rooms should be AC.•   Reception and information counter, book stall, travel agency,

safe deposit etc.

•   Telephone in each room and one for the use of visitors.•   Good quality Indian and continental food•   Senior staff must possess a good knowledge of English. Example: Museum Inn, Bangalore, Angsana Oasis Spa & Resort,

Bangalore

 FOUR STAR Mostly large formal hotels with reception areas, front desk

service, and bell desk service. The hotels are usually located near shopping, dining, and other major attractions. The level of service is well above average. And the rooms are well lit and well furnished. Restaurant dining is usually available and is having more than one choice. Some properties will offer continental breakfast and /or happy hour delicacies. Room service is usually available during most hours. Valet parking, concierge service, fitness centers, pools are often provided.

 • Hotel must have 25 lettable rooms and all with attach bathrooms

with shower cubicle/bath tub.•  Should have a recognized travel agency, book stall, safe deposit

facilities, left luggage etc.  Example: Taj Gateway, Bangalore, Hotel Janpath, New Delhi, St.

Marks Hotel, Bangalore. 

FIVESTAR   These are hotels that offer only the highest level of

accommodations and services. The properties offer a high degree of personal service. The hotel locations can vary from the exclusive location of suburban area to heart of the city. The hotel lobbies are sumptuous, the rooms complete with stylish furnishings, and high quality linen.The hotels feature up to three restaurants with exquisite menus. Room service is also available 24 hours a day. Fitness centers, valet parking are typically available. A concierge is also available to assist you.

•   Architectural features and general construction of the hotel building should be distinctive

•   Adequate parking space for cars.•   Hotel must have at least 25 lettable; rooms with modern

shower chambers.•   All guest areas should be air-conditioned•  Adequate number of efficient lifts.• 24 hours reception, cash and information counter  Example: The Oberoi, Bangalore, The Grand Maratha

Sheraton, Mumbai,Taj Bengal and The Park, Kolkota,

OTHER HOTEL CATEGORIES Casino Hotels Casino hotels and resorts differ significantly in their

operation compared to most hotels. In casino hotels and resorts, gaming operations are the major revenue centers. Most of these are in Las Vegas. The casino industry is now coming into the financial main stream to the point that as a significant segment of the entertainment industry especially in the US. Casino hotels are leaning towards making their hotels into “family friendly”

  Example:  Las Vegas Hilton Hotel & Casino, MGM Grand, Flaming Hilton in Las Vegas.

Heritage Hotels

The concept of Heritage Hotels was introduced with a view to convert the old palaces, havelies, castles, forts and residences built prior to 1950 into accommodation units as these traditional structures reflect the ambience and lifestyle of the bygone era and are immensely popular with the tourists. The Heritage Hotels have also been sub-classified in the following categories:Heritage:This category covers hotels in residences / havelies / hunting lodges / castles / forts / palaces built prior to 1950 but after 1935.Heritage Classic:This category covers hotels in residences / havelies / Hunting lodges / castles / forts / places built prior to 1935 but after 1920.Heritage Grand:This category covers hotels in residences / havelies / hunting lodges / castles / forts / palaces built prior to 1920.

Example: Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior, Lalitha Mahal Palace, Mysore.Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, Lake Pichola hotel, Udaipur

Time Shares/Condominiums Time-sharing, more recently known as vacation ownership, involves a “type of shared ownership in which the buyer purchases the right to uses a residential dwelling unit for a portion of the year or more periods.”Each Condominium or unit of a vacation ownership resort is divided into intervals, typically by the week and sold separately. The condominiums are priced according to a variety of factors including unit size, resort amenities, location and season. Purchasers of vacation ownership properties can typically travel to other destinations through exchange programs provided through the timeshare resort developers. Condominium hotels are also called condo hotels or even condotels. Vacation ownership offers consumers the opportunity to purchase fully furnished vacation accommodations in a variety of forms, such as weekly intervals or points in points based systems, for a percentage of the cost of the full ownership.Example: RCI, Club Mahindra, Country Club Group

Boutique hotels

Boutique hotels span all price segments and are noticeably different in look and feel from traditional lodging properties interior design styles in boutique hotels range from postmodern to homey. Soft attributes, such and image and atmosphere, typically distinguish these properties. Traveler’s desires to be trendy, affluent and artistic tie into boutique themes.

Example: The Park Bangalore, The Park Kolkata.

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