A hotel is a commercial establishment offering lodging to guests. Hotel facilities often include restaurants, bars, recreation areas, and services such as massage therapy and childcare. Hotels can range from affordable to luxury.
Traveling and hotels have become a global industry, with many trends influencing the sector. These trends include the rise of mobile accommodations, a move towards adventure travel, and changing consumer preferences. The hospitality industry is responding to these changes by embracing new technologies and adapting existing business models.
Hotel chains are expanding their offerings to provide unique experiences for guests. Hilton, for example, recently unveiled the Tempo by Hilton Times Square in Manhattan, a hotel that features a pickleball court and a series of culinary, cultural, and social activities. The hotel also provides a flexible environment for meeting and working, with amenities such as private rooms, free WiFi, and ergonomic furniture.
There is a growing interest in sustainable travel, as well as the desire to see the world while doing good. In response, some hotels are integrating green elements into their design, such as low-water usage toilets and energy-efficient lighting. Others are implementing renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, into their operations.
Hotels have long been a popular destination for vacationers and business travelers. They offer the convenience of location, and the security of knowing that there is someone nearby to help in case of an emergency or when a guest needs assistance with a problem.
The precursor to the modern hotel was the coaching inn. These inns provided lodging for coach travellers (in other words, roadhouses) and stabled teams of horses for stagecoaches and mail coaches, replacing tired animals as needed. In the 19th century, hotels proliferated throughout Western Europe and North America. Many of these hotels were luxurious and catered to wealthy patrons.
A number of public figures have taken up semi-permanent or permanent residence in hotels. Fashion designer Coco Chanel lived in the Hotel Ritz in Paris, for example, and inventor Nikola Tesla died in his room at the New Yorker hotel in 1943. Many hotels are located in unique settings, and some feature unusual architecture or design elements. These include the Cuevas Pedro Antonio de Alarcon in Guadix, Spain, which are built into natural cave formations, and the Desert Cave Hotel in Coober Pedy, Australia, which is constructed into the remains of an opal mine.
A degree in Hospitality, Leisure, and Recreation & Tourism is the perfect start for those looking to enter the travel and hotel industry. The program will hone your skills in finances, marketing, organization, and strategy—all of which are necessary for this field. In addition, many colleges and universities offer a year abroad for students in this major, further expanding your opportunities to experience the world.