Facts for Kids

Hotel means a place where people pay to stay for a short time, usually at night. Hotels can be small or very large. A simple room might have a bed and a small bathroom, while a big room called a suite can have a living space and a little kitchen. Some hotels give meals as part of the stay, and others let you buy food in a restaurant on site. Rooms usually have numbers or names so guests can find them easily, and some hotels decorate rooms in special styles to make each one feel different. Have you ever stayed in a hotel?

International luxury hotels are big hotels in major cities that offer top-quality service, fancy restaurants, and help like a concierge or room service. Below them are upscale full-service hotels that also have restaurants, gyms, and meeting rooms but are a bit less formal. Boutique hotels are small (often under 100 rooms) and have unique decoration and personality. Focused or select-service hotels give the basics guests need, like a comfortable bed and breakfast, and target certain travelers such as business visitors. Economy hotels are simple and budget friendly. Extended-stay hotels are made for guests who stay many nights or weeks.

Most hotels are run by a general manager who makes sure everything works well. The manager supervises department heads for areas like the front desk, housekeeping, food and drink, and maintenance. Smaller hotels have fewer staff and simpler roles; larger hotels have many departments and supervisors. Who owns the hotel also affects how it is run: some are part of big hotel companies and others are independent. People who want to work in hotels study hospitality management to learn how to organize services, help guests, and solve problems so a hotel can be clean, safe, and welcoming.

Some hotels are built to be unusual and fun. Ice hotels are carved from ice and snow each winter and melt in spring; guests sleep on special beds with warm sleeping bags. Glass igloos and arctic domes let people watch the northern lights from bed. Treehouse hotels, cliff hotels, and hotels built over water give strong views and a nature feeling. Some hotels are famous for a special food or drink that started there. There are also private short-stay hotels found in a few countries that offer extra privacy. Which kind of unusual hotel would you like to visit?

Hotel rooms can be tiny or roomy. A basic room has a bed, a sink and a bathroom nearby, while a suite usually has extra space, sometimes a small kitchen and a private bathroom called an en-suite. Hotels label rooms with numbers or names so guests can find them easily. Bigger hotels add many services: a concierge helps you plan trips, room service brings food, and there can be restaurants, pools, gyms, and business centers. Economy hotels often offer a simple breakfast. Some special places include capsule hotels—tiny sleeping pods—and glass igloos where you can watch the sky from bed.