These days, hotels are no longer just a place for weary travelers to rest for the night before setting off to explore their destination the next day. Staying in a hotel has taken on new meaning with the evolution of the purpose of hotels. Other than providing their guests with overnight accommodation, many hotels also cater to their other specific needs by providing an increasing number of business and leisure amenities and services.
To this end, hotels have adapted to their specific locations by offering specific amenities that complement their surroundings, thus enabling their guests to enjoy a fulfilling overall hotel experience that transcends a mere comfortable night’s rest. The hotels destination is thus just as important, if not more important than the hotel itself as hotels in different destinations can offer drastically different experiences that tailor to specific niche travel markets.
I shall now talk about the characteristics of hotels in three common hotels destinations and offer some tips to help you choose a suitable beach hotel, ski resort or city hotel.
Beach hotels
Lovers of sun, sand and sea can take their pick from numerous beach hotels and resorts situated along costal areas. Before you choose, however, it is a good idea to ask yourself what kind of amenities you want from your hotel that would make your beach holiday an unforgettable one.
Obviously, easy access to the beach is the most important feature of any beach hotel. If you are travelling with your family, you might want to consider a beach resort with many fun activities and facilities for the kids, such as a water park or trampolines. If you are the active sort, do check if your chosen hotel offers water sports such as snorkeling, water skiing, parasailing and kayaking.
Ski accommodations
In contrast, if you would prefer an action-packed winter holiday instead, you may want to settle for a ski accommodation. Choosing a ski resort hotel is ideal if you want to have immediate access to fun-filled skiing action on slopes in the resort premises as well as on-site amenities such as restaurants and room service.
If your group is new to the activity, do ensure that the resort offers lessons by qualified instructors. It is also advisable to check if the resorts have slopes that are suitable for the skiing competency of your group members. Proximity to the ski lift and village centre from your hotel is also essential for maximum convenience while you are enjoying your ski holiday.
City hotels
As opposed to the above, city hotels have adapted to the faster pace of urban living and generally provide more amenities for business travelers to stay in touch with work, such as business centres and meeting rooms.
In many cities, you will be able to find more cheap accommodation options in the suburbs while the hotel rooms closer to the city centre are generally smaller and more expensive. To help you save on unnecessary transport costs, it is advisable to find a hotel which provides easy access to your specific destination in the city rather than a cheap hotel which is more than 20 minutes away.
