The history of hotels dates back to the late eighteenth century. The American transportation revolution, particularly the development of steam navigation, greatly increased the volume and variety of travel in the country. As part of their mercantilist strategy, urban merchant-capitalists built new types of hotels in major coastal trading centers. The result was a boom in the number of hotels throughout the United States. These structures are a recognizable example of the architecture of nineteenth-century hotels.
Hotel chains became a common characteristic of modern hotelkeeping after World War II. This practice facilitates efficiency in purchasing, sales and reservations. There are different types of hotels, including resorts, transient, and residential. Hotels classified as mainly transient must have 75 percent non-permanent guests. The typical guest room of a transient hotel would contain a private bath, telephone, radio, and television. Larger establishments typically include a bar or cocktail lounge and even a nightclub.
Automobiles also influenced the hotel industry. Mass production, facilitated by the Fordist movement, encouraged the trend of standardization in hotels. The pioneer of this trend was E. M. Statler, who opened the first chain of hotels in the United States in 1908. He believed that hospitality should be uniform and comparable across different locations. His business model centered on efficiency and cost-cutting. Statler’s approach was particularly influential in twentieth-century hotel administration.
The hotel industry expanded at a rapid pace after World War II, as a three-decade economic boom increased the number of travelers and sent their incomes skyrocketing. Organized labor helped spread wealth more evenly, making paid vacations a reality for millions of workers. The development of reliable passenger aircraft and the interstate highway system facilitated travel, and hotels became an important battleground in domestic politics. In addition to their function as social venues, hotels continued to become a central part of American society.
The next phase in the recovery process for hotels will be different for each hotel segment. Economy hotels will recover faster, while luxury and upper upscale hotels will take much longer. These hotels are better equipped to tap segments of the demand that will return at a slower pace. While business and leisure travel will resume, the long-term outlook for these industries will be marked by structural shifts. So what is the next normal? And what are the steps needed to make them successful?
The hotel industry is constantly evolving to meet the needs of modern travelers. Many types of hotels are listed below. There are more types of hotels than these, but these are the most common ones. Many others exist as niches within the hospitality industry. There are also unique properties that are completely different from the norm. It is important to find a hotel that meets your specific needs. If you’re traveling on a budget, hostels are the perfect choice.
Chain hotels are the most common type of hotel. These hotels are large with hundreds of locations across the globe, usually operated by the same company. There are multiple brands of chain hotels, such as Hilton, Marriott, and Courtyard. Chain hotels tend to follow rigid guidelines for amenities and design. They are also huge contributors to economic leakage in tourism. There are several eco-friendly hotel chains. However, these hotels don’t have the same standards as the larger hotels.
