Navigating the different categories of hotel rooms can indeed be overwhelming for new travelers.

Each hotel brand has its own unique terminology for categorizing rooms. With the vast number of hotel chains and their various brands, this can become quite complicated.

Nevertheless, most hotels, particularly 5-star establishments, typically categorize their rooms into the following types.

1. Base Level Rooms.

Often described as: Deluxe Room or Superior Room or Standard Room or Guest Room

They might be called deluxe or superior, but these are essentially base level rooms with standard features. You can expect a king bed, a safe, a bathroom with a rain shower (mostly no bathtub), a tea-coffee maker, a work-desk with chair, and probably a small sofa.

Good enough for most people unless you are planning to stay more than a couple of nights.

2. Little Bigger Rooms.

Often described as: Premium Room or Executive Room

Essentially, the same room as Base Level Rooms, just a little bigger. Some hotels might throw in a few more amenities or a bigger bathroom instead of a bigger room. Not really worth paying extra for in most cases.

Every so often, a room on a higher floor or closer to the elevator or a corner room would be categorized as a premium room, even though the room is the same as a base level room.

3. Rooms with a View

Frequently described as: Sea View Room or Ocean View Room or Pool View Room or Garden View Room or City View Room or Lake View Room or Mountain View Room… you get the point.

Most hotels charge a premium for the view. The room would be the same as other category rooms, but you will get a better view. Sometimes might be worth paying for.

e.g., I would happily pay for a room with a view of such locations as the Eiffel Tower, Barcelona Beach, or the Taj Mahal.

Rooms that offer desirable views, such as ocean or stadium views, are in high demand. As a result, hotels are often hesitant to easily upgrade even their elite guests to these rooms.

4. Rooms with Lounge or Club Access

Often described as: Club Room or Executive Room or Premier Club Room or Business Class Rooms.

These are the rooms that might be worth extra dollars. By booking one of these rooms, you will have exclusive access to the hotel’s lounge, which offers complimentary breakfast, evening tea and coffee, snacks, cocktails, as well as access to business services such as xerox and printouts. These rooms are typically located on a designated floor called the Club Floor, which also houses the lounge.

5. Junior Suite.

Often described as: Executive Suite

Here’s where the luxury begins. Junior Suites are a bit more spacious, have a living room or area attached to the bedroom that serves as a living room, an extra washroom, bigger sofa, bathroom with a bathtub (mostly) etc.

A separate area to work, take calls or just to watch TV can make a huge difference to your vacation.

6. The Suite.

Often described as: Grand Suite or Royal Suite or Deluxe Suite

Expect a separate living and bedrooms, big bathrooms with several amenities, Walk-in closet and at times, a kitchenette.

Some hotels also offer exclusive menus prepared by top chefs. This is like staying in a big 1-bedroom Apartment inside a hotel.

7. The Presidential Suite.

One night stay in a Presidential suite in any hotel will probably cost you more than a 2-month stay in some other room in the same hotel. But then it’s the ultimate in luxury a hotel has to offer.

Often reserved for top ministers, celebrities or industrialists, a Presidential Suite offers a massive bedroom, a big living room, table with 6 or more chairs, bathtubs, whirlpools, Jacuzzi and sometimes even a gym, library, live kitchen, private pool etc.

(Rare) Themed Rooms

As a concept, Themed rooms have been around for a long time, but are still not that common. Hotels with themed rooms offer rooms with various themes you can pick from. Typically, each floor of a hotel will have a unique theme.

E.g., this hotel in Canada offers Igloo, Space, Princess, and Pirate themed rooms among others. We have heard about prison themed rooms as well, in case that interests anyone.

Long stay and resorts are different

Most of the hotel rooms fit in these categories. However, long stay hotels and luxury resorts will have different types of rooms.

A long stay hotel will additionally have studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments.

Resorts, on the other hand, can have Beach Villas, Water Villas, Riverside etc., depending on the property and the surroundings.

Complimentary room upgrades

Several hotels offer complimentary upgrades (here’s how to get them), either as part of promotions or to frequent guests. In most cases, you need to book directly with the hotel (hotel website or app) to avail upgrades and similar benefits.

Take a look at the current hotel promotions to see promotions with upgrade opportunities.

Good to know.

Here are a few more things you should be aware of while booking your stay at a hotel.

Bed Types

Hotels usually provide the following bed options, all at no additional cost. However, it’s important to choose the room with the bed type that best suits your needs:

1. Twin Beds — Two separate single beds with a side table or another type of divider in between.
2. Queen Bed — One queen-size bed.
3. King Bed — One king-size bed.

Special Rooms.

1. Accessible Rooms: Designed for guests with disabilities; includes features like wider doorways, grab bars in the bathroom, etc.

2. Connecting Rooms: Two rooms connected by an internal door; ideal for families or groups traveling together.

3. Pet-Friendly Rooms: Rooms that allow pets; may come with pet-specific amenities like beds or bowls.

Features & Amenities.

1. View Options: City view, ocean view, garden view, etc.

2. In-Room Amenities: Wi-Fi, minibar, coffee maker, safe.

3. Bathroom Features: Shower/tub combinations vs. walk-in showers; some deluxe options include Jacuzzi tubs.

4. Additional Services: Room service availability, housekeeping frequency (daily vs. weekly), laundry services.

Booking Tips.

• Read reviews from other travelers to get insights into what each room type actually offers.
• Look at photos provided by both the hotel and previous guests.
• Check what’s included in the rate (breakfast? Wi-Fi? Parking?).
• Consider your needs (e.g., Do you need more space? Is a good view important to you?).

Understanding these basics can help you make a more informed decision when booking your hotel stay!