Washington Travel

A hotel is an establishment that provides overnight lodging for the public. Its basic service is providing a room to sleep in. Most hotels also have at least one restaurant. Many hotels offer rooms and services for meetings, and some have shops and offer entertainment. Hotels range in size from large buildings with more than 3,000 rooms to small inns that have as few as 8 to 10 rooms. Small hotels do not offer the range of services provided by the large establishments. However, rooms and meals at most small inns generally cost less than those at large hotels.

Most hotels occupy one multistory building that has a central lobby on the main floor. Guests reach their rooms through the lobby. Hotels may consist of one or more buildings and always include a parking lot. Guests can enter their rooms directly from the lot. Many lodging operations offer both full hotel services and parking.

Most commercial hotels are near the airport or the downtown area of large or medium-sized cities. These hotels serve mainly business travelers and other people on short trips. Many commercial hotels provide luxurious surroundings and a wide range of services. The guests in most commercial hotels have a choice of restaurants, ranging from coffee shops to elegant dining rooms. Some of these restaurants offer music, dancing, and other entertainment.

Shops in commercial hotels include clothing stores, gift shops, and newsstands. Some hotels have barber shops and beauty salons, and many have swimming pools and health spas. Most commercial hotels have a European plan of payment, which covers only the price of a room. Many commercial hotels have large rooms that their guests and other groups can use for banquets, conventions, and meetings. The hotel's catering department provides meals and snacks for such events.