Travel Tip Tuesday | Hotel Lingo

How to Understand Hotels

Every profession has its’ own jargon and acronyms and the hotel and travel industry is no different. Knowing what the lingo means will help you decipher the fine print and understand what you are actually paying for. At Tours of Distinction understanding the lingo is second nature to us so we thought we would pass on some of the most common terms to you. Read on to check out our introductory guide to hotel lingo and better know how hotels operate.

Double Occupancy

This is the price of a room when two people are sleeping there. Hotels with double occupancy rules will charge an additional fee for a third person sleeping there or will require them to have a separate room.

Single Occupancy

Hotel rooms are priced on the room and not the individual. Many wonder why tour companies have a single supplement. This is the reason why. The room price is only is split by 1 person, not 2. 

Limited Service Hotel

A lodging facility that only offers sleeping accommodations and doesn’t offer restaurants or other amenities.

Boutique Hotel

Smaller luxury properties that separate themselves from large chain competitors by their service and by what they offer. 

Nightly Minimum

This is when a hotel limits availability by specifying a certain number of nights must be booked. This usually happens during peak season, for example, in New England, on weekends during October’s fall foliage.

Early Arrival

An agreement with a hotel to allow check-in of a confirmed guest earlier than usual.

Late Checkout

This is when a hotel allows a confirmed guest to check out later than usual. This should be negotiated before departure. This perk depends on room availability and the season.

Amenity(ies)

This includes complimentary items or services provided at no charge by the hotel for guests. Amenities could include, for example, toiletries, wi-fi, in-room tea, and coffee.

Incidental Charges

These include services that are not included in the room or in the room amenity package. Incidental charges could include in-room movies, parking, items in the mini bar, and so on.

En-Suite

A fancy way of saying that the hotel room has a private bathroom.

Efficiency

A single room that has a kitchenette and dining area.

Connecting Room

These rooms have an interior door to the room next door that connects them. This is an excellent option for families or friends traveling together.

Adjoining Room

Rooms next to each other that share a wall.

All-Inclusive

Rates that include the room, meals, and some drinks. Depending on the location of the property this can also include perks such as water sports, entertainment, and tips. Always read the fine print to see what is included.

Half Board

A rate that includes the room and one meal.

Bed Tax

An added price to a hotel room that is imposed by a city, county, state, or country. The bed tax rates vary from place to place and can include one of all of the above. Usually, a portion of this tax is used to defray the cost of promoting the area’s tourism industry.

Continental Breakfast

A simple morning meal usually consisting of cold items(rolls, cereal, butter, jam, etc), coffee, and tea as opposed to a full breakfast that includes hot items such as eggs, bacon, sausages, pancakes, waffles and so on.

Late Charge

Charges that may be passed on to a guest after they depart from the hotel. For example, long-distance calls or minibar charges that were not known at the time of check out. 

We hope that this introduction to the world of the language of hotels is helpful to you when planning your next escorted tour with Tours of Distinction.