When traveling or visiting new places, many travelers commonly use hotels as an establishment to provide lodging on a short term basis. Hotels can provide a number of additional services to make their guest's stay more enjoyable including services such as a restaurant, a swimming pool, childcare services and entertainment facilities. Some hotels offer conference and meeting rooms, which encourage groups of people to hold conventions or meetings at these locations.

As a result of these services and entertainment facilities offered by hotels, many people use hotels as an imperative influence on the type of holiday they choose to take. Often hotels leave guests feeling like they have enjoyed a little luxury away from home. Many guests visit hotels and seek this luxury along with an adventurous and exciting holiday, or perhaps they require certain comforts and services while on business trips. The cost and quality of the hotel is usually indicative of the range of services available to guests. Today there are many hotels, and tourism has increased worldwide - this has led to standards of hotels, and similar establishments, improving considerably. Now guests can compare hotels using a rating system with one to five stars.

There are many different hotel types for guests to choose from, depending on their type of holiday or visit. A Motel is generally aimed at motorists. This type of hotel is located on or near to a good road network, so that the guest does not need to deal with town traffic. These motels provide a quick access for guests to the outside world and their parked cars. Guests staying at motels need not enter through a reception area and the general layout of the motel is built around the car park area. Often motels are suited to those business people who need fast, easy access to their hotel room and the convenience of coming and going at will. Motels are also well priced, where if the traveler is looking to save money on accommodation expenses they can find motels well suited to their needs.

The word hotel is derived from the French word, Hôtel, which refers to a French version of a townhouse or a building seeing frequent visitors. A Boutique hotel differentiates itself from larger chain or branded hotels by providing an exceptional and personalised level of services, accommodation and facilities. Boutique hotels are usually luxurious or quirky hotel environments. These hotels are furnished in a themed, stylish manner. The Boutique hotel is generally smaller than mainstream hotels and offers luxuries such as telephone and wi-fi Internet connections, mini bars and satellite TV. With Boutique hotels, guests can expect to be attended by 24 hour hotel staff and other small personalized and often character services.

These hotels are often not directed by seasonal changes; the guests are often corporate travelers and discerning travelers who place a very high importance on privacy and luxury along with personalised service. Often travelers staying at Boutique hotels leave with a relaxed and satisfied feeling that created an enriching back-drop to an otherwise wonderful holiday, adventure or work commitment.

There are many other types of hotels, namely famous hotels that sit in the subconscious of many of the population due to media hype or other influences. These hotels are often desired destinations for many curious travelers. To name a few: The Ritz in London, Hotel Chelsea in New York, Beverly Hills Hotel, Hotel Bel-Air, and more.

Then there are hotels that are unusual either in appearance or location. These hotels are wonderful for those travelers interested in a new and unique experience. For example, Ice hotels, Snow hotels, Tree House hotels, Underwater hotels, and more.

Certainly there are many hotels for the traveler to choose from. From the motel to the Boutique hotel, you are assured of finding the accommodation to suit your style, holiday and purpose of visit.