Hotel, Hostel, Motel, What’s the difference ?

Have you ever wondered about the differences between hotels, hostels, and motels? Certainly, we're familiar with hotels and can easily imagine them as places of accommodation with private rooms equipped with amenities, providing us with a comfortable night's sleep for our travels.

However, accommodations don't just stop at hotels. There are other types of lodging suitable for different occasions, each with its own style of service and accommodation. Today, let's get to know them.

Hotel

Hotels are well-known accommodations that provide overnight stays with private rooms equipped with additional amenities such as towels, toiletries, and trash bins. Additionally, hotels must have private bathrooms in the rooms. The quality and size of the rooms depend on the star rating (1-5 stars), ranging from rooms with a minimum area of 10 square meters and 3-foot beds to 5-star standards with a minimum area of 30 square meters and beds no smaller than 4 feet. They also offer additional facilities such as fitness centers and conference rooms.

Hostel

Hostels are budget-friendly accommodations, so the rooms and basic amenities are minimal and suitable for one person. They emphasize self-service, and while they may offer private rooms, they mainly sell shared dormitory-style accommodation, often with bunk beds, along with shared bathrooms. Guests are usually backpackers or students preparing for exams who don't require top-notch services but just need a place to sleep, shower, and start the next day fresh.

Motel

The term "Motel" comes from "Motorcar" and "Hotel," meaning accommodations with special features such as parking spaces right next to the rooms. Motel rooms are typically meant for short-term stays and are not suitable for overnight stays. They charge by the hour, and the rates are not expensive. For example, they cater to travelers who need a place to rest after a long drive. In Thailand, motels are often associated with places where couples engage in intimate activities more than anything else.

However, whether it's a Hotel, Hostel, or Motel, what's important are good service and hygiene, along with taking good care of guests. All three types of accommodation should strive to excel in these areas, regardless of their differences. Ultimately, when we travel, whether near or far, for whatever reason, at the end of the day, we all seek a good place to rest and relax. Therefore, for our next trip, we'll choose accommodation that is suitable and meets our needs even better.