Talk:Hotel

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[edit] Opening comments

What about age limitations? I know in the U.S. you often can't book a room without being over a certain age, but I can't remember what that age is... and I'd be curious to know about similar restrictions in other countries. Anyone care to add this? Thanks! aubrey 06:49, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Most hotel rooms have an age limitation of you must be 21 or older. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 131.109.99.2 (talk) 15:29, 23 May 2008 (UTC)

Kurt, have a look at User talk:Arpingstone please - Adrian Pingstone 14:42, 16 Jul 2004 (UTC)

If anyone can get free use photos of any “unusual hotels”, that would be great! —Keenan Pepper 20:07, 18 August 2005 (UTC)

  • A generic article like this should describe and feature typical examples of its subject. Novelty hotel might warrant its own article (I started Novelty architecture). USA Today has an article on novelty hotels that might be a starting place. [1]. And Casino hotel might also be good (it gets twice as many hits as "hotel casino"). --Tysto 05:54, 26 January 2006 (UTC)


Just a note, I think the second paragraph may need to be reworded. I currently reads:
"Hotels differ from motels in that most motels have drive-up, exterior entrances to the rooms, while hotels tend to have interior entrances to the rooms, making them safer and more relaxing to people."

It is the part I have put in Italics that seems to be biased. However I don't want to just delete it without discussion. Opinions? --rhmoore 11:49, 12 February 2006 (UTC)

Good point. I think something more NPOV might be along the lines of, "which has been asserted by some hotels as enhancing guests' safety and presenting a more upscale image". MCB 18:53, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
That works. --rhmoore 13:43, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
OK, I edited... if anyone wants to tune it up a little, feel free, I'm not married to the precise wording. Cheers, MCB 23:20, 14 February 2006 (UTC)


I would like to point out that the Skydome hotel in Toronto IS NOT the only hotel connected to a stadium. The De Vere Whites in Bolton UK is integral to the Rebok Stadium. Thanks, Rob

[edit] Hotel Statistics

Good afternoon:

Newbie Jan here.

I would like to offer statistics to the hotel page

- number of hotels in the US: 48,800 as of June 2006

- number of rooms in the us: 4.5 million as of June 2006

- total rooms revenue in the US In 2005: $94 billion

- total revenue generated by US hotels in 2005: $122 billion

- etc, etc.

These stats are prepared by smithtravelresearch.com - my employer. We are the leading research authority for hotels in the US.

So, can I post these numbers? Appreciate any guidance.

Jan Freitag, VP [email addres redacted per policy]

Jan, my apologies for accidentally removing your comment (which has been restored). Due to an browser error on my part, I thought it had been added to the article, not this talk page. While statistics are of value in general to Wikipedia, the guidelines on reliable sources prefer facts and figures to come from verifiable, publicly-accessible sources like well-known reference books and sites, the mass media, official sources, established industry groups. If these are part of a widely-distributed, publicly-available annual report or the equivalent, they might meet the reliable source guideline. What do others think? --MCB 01:26, 23 July 2006 (UTC)

Thanks MCB: I understand your point.

Question from me then is: We are the primary resource of this info and make the data above available for free here: http://www.smithtravelresearch.com/SmithTravelResearch/News/FindNewsArticle.aspx?article=24564 (opens in .PDF) which then gets picked up by a wide variety of news media (AP, Reuters, trade press) - which I guess you count as secondary sources. The data cannot be independently verified, since we are the only ones who produce it (no ones else cares to count hotels, it is quite a tedious process as you can imagine). Having said that, everyone on the hotel industry uses our data as fact, which is why I thought I'd share them here.

Does that help? jdf 7/23/07

In May 2007 the Average Daily Rate (ADR) in the US Hotel Industry on a 12-month moving average basis was $100.01 thus surpassing $100 for the first time ever. JDF Source: Smithtravelresearch.com 68.53.143.233 16:03, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Chelsea Hotel?

I do think that a photo of the Chelsea Hotel should be included here, as it is so famous.

[edit] WikiProject Hotels

I don't know if this is the right place to suggest it or not. But I'd be really keen on starting a WikiProject Hotels to help collaborate and direct editor efforts on articles relating to hotels. Is anyone else interesting in such a movement? Luke! 05:00, 16 November 2006 (UTC)

I have proposed the WikiProject Hotels. For those interested in contributing to this project, please visit the temporary site.Luke! 05:35, 28 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Largest hotel

We need to do some research here. What defines the largest hotel? The number of rooms in one building, the MGM Grand Las Vegas with 5,044? The number of rooms in two buildings First World Hotel? Or the total number of rooms available, the MGM Grand with 6,852? Or do we only count rooms with toilet and bathing facilities in the room? Vegaswikian 05:18, 28 November 2006 (UTC)

  • Good question !!! I want to know the answer. May be we get the answer soon.Muhammad Ismail .H 00:39, 06 December 2006 (IST)
  • Vegaswikian, I think you should go ahead and list the MGM Grand as the largest, since it's clear that other large hotels (including the First World, and the Ambassador City Jomtien) are complexes with multiple buildings. I'd say it's not the number of physical buildings (after all, many, many hotels, such as resort lodges and motor hotels/motels are made up of smaller buildings) but the fact that the whole thing is operated and managed as a single unit. --MCB 23:08, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
    • Does the fact that the MGM additions include condo hotel rooms and suites reserved for high rollers (not rentable) change your decision? I still have a concern that while all of the MGM is operated under one name, there are various check in places since the complex is so large. I'm just asking about these so that we are clear on the criteria being used here. I have no problem making the change. Also, 576 of the condo hotel rooms will be opening this month, so waiting till then before making the actual article change might be wise. Also should there be a timeline list of largest hotels? Vegaswikian 23:57, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Rack Rate

What's the funny idea, having rack rate re-direct here and then not actually mentioning it anywhere in the article? Poor form. Bihal 10:56, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

  • It's not a funny idea. Maybe at one time there was something here. Or an editor thought that the red link should point here. In any case, any editor can fix this by writing an article or changing the redirect. Try it now. Vegaswikian 18:21, 25 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Synonyms?

In the third paragraph of the introduction it says that "hotel" and "pub" are usually taken to be synonyms. I live in Australia and have never heard these terms used like this. Many hotels include a pub, and people may go to a local hotel instead of a bar. Is this what was meant? Garhuckle 13:52, 27 January 2007 (UTC)

  • "Hotel" and "Pub" are most definately synonyms in Australia. It is widespread to the point of absolute saturation. I find it surprising that anyone who lives in Australia is not aware of this --Zig c 09:05, 28 January 2007 (UTC).
    • Is this possibly a local usage of the terms (used only in Sydney, or another city/state)? I can only speak for people in Perth, but if I said "I am going to a hotel tonight," they would assume that I was going to spend a night in a hotel, not go out for a drink in a pub, and vice versa. Many pubs may have the word "Hotel" in their title, although they do not provide accomodation. This doesn't make them synonyms. The terms "Pub" and "Bar" are also used in Australia, but the second-last sentence of the paragraph seems to imply that the terms are not commonly used in Australia. I suggest that the paragraph be cut down to just one sentence reading "In Australia, the word may also refer to a pub or bar" Garhuckle 05:57, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
      • I would say in the sense of saying just the individual words "hotel" and "pub" that it would be uncommon for someone to say "hotel" instead of "pub" but regardless it is still a synonym. The words have identical meanings - As far as I'm concerned simply because "hotel" also has other meanings this does not make it less of a synonym for pub.--Zig c 06:14, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
        • But that's just it. If the words are synonyms they should be completely interchangable, without any confusion. I understand that the words can be used as synonyms, but most of the paragraph isn't required anyway. One sentence, as above, would allow anyone looking for the "Pub" or "Bar" pages to easily link to them. It would also still convey the message that the terms may be understood as synonyms. I'll go ahead and change it in a day's time, if there are no objections. Garhuckle 00:47, 30 January 2007 (UTC)

I agree with Garhuckle. The article also says that this applies to Canada. I live in Canada and have never heard of this terminology. —bse3 (talk • contribs • count • logs) 04:25, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Simutaineous origins of the word Hotel in the UK

Just a point on the other probably simutaineous origins of the word Hotel in the UK, the word is also an adaptation of the word Hostel, which represented Inns and Bording houses, when boarding houses became more commercial in 19th Century, the "S" was dropped to denote the difference from the more "common" non purpose built Hostels and the purpose built "Hotels" where the gentry and the more affluent stayed. The Hotel was a "class" above the Hostels.Is this worthy of and addition to this section?User:Bornandbredscarborough 06:49, 02 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Hotel Occupations

Does anyone think the hotel occupations section is necessary? It provides almost nothing. BlackBear 22:08, 5 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Hotel TV Systems

What are the TV systems that the hotel uses? For PPV movies, video games, and the menu you get when you turn the TV on?


At my hotel our TV is provided by DirectTV and we have a contracted company that provides in room movies, video games, and music. I am sure many hotels are set up this way and our provider is a company by the name of LodgeNet. Irish07 00:55, 24 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] reversions

Why was my edit reverted? I was simply explaining why UK pubs often bear the name "hotel" even though they do not now offer accommodation. The article as it stands may give the reader the false impression that these establishments were named capriciously rather than having them for historical reasons. Samatarou 00:22, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

The text was presented as speculation. Without sources, that is not something that we generally keep. Vegaswikian 02:30, 25 July 2007 (UTC)
In that case why not just add a "citation needed" tag? As it is, the article presents no cite to support the claim "many pubs with "hotel" in their name do not offer accommodation or even food" so that too is speculation. However to anyone who lives in Britain it is self-evident that there are many establishments with "hotel" in their name which are not hotels, but it is equally self-evident that the vast majority of them are former hotels, as not only their name but architecture - facade, layout, number of rooms - reveals this: they are essentially indistinguishable from those establishments which remain small hotels, except for the fact that they no longer let their rooms.

[edit] Historic hotels

I thik the King David Hotel is importand too. 'During the British Mandate (1920 – 1948), the southern wing of the hotel was turned into a British administrative and military headquarters. In July 1946 it was blown up by the Irgun, the pre-state underground led by Menachem Begin. On May 4, 1948, when the British flag was lowered' (source: King_David_Hotel#History) --Josias 09:40, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

OK, the hotel has an article that contains this information. That is where it belongs. This article is about the topic of a hotel. Adding lists of hotels, for what ever reason is always an issue since if you don't eliminate the list or control it somehow, then every hotel would be included in the list. Vegaswikian 19:32, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Hotel rooms as an investment

There is a link from Real estate inverting to a topic like this, that ends up on this page without any recognizable mention of insting practices, benifits, methods etc. It would be an interesting topic indeed. Was it omitted? Never there? Somewhere else?? If s.o. could check I'd be grateful. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.171.253.215 (talk) 23:19, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Hotel classification (star and other ratings)

Wikipedia needs to describe how hotes are star rated. What are the requirements for each classification? Are the stars given by the hotels themselves, or by organizations? Which organizations? Are star ratings in different countries comparable? --HelgeStenstrom (talk) 19:43, 29 December 2007 (UTC)

Generally information about what the classifications mean should be included in the article about the group issuing the classification or as an external link there to a web page that explains this. Given that in many cases the classification is self issued, there is no way for us to define these. Vegaswikian (talk) 22:33, 29 December 2007 (UTC)
I think Vegaswikian is correct, and please see my response here as well. Thanks, --MCB (talk) 04:47, 30 December 2007 (UTC)


In the US three sources of ratings for hotels are:
- AAA Diamonds, here are their standards: http://www.aaasouth.com/diamond_ratings.asp
- MOBIL Stars, here are their standards: http://mobiltravelguide.howstuffworks.com/about-the-rating-channel.htm
- OAG Crowns, unfortunately they do not provide standards: http://www.oag.com
- In a sense, TripAdviso also provides ratings, but these are purely by Travelers, not by paid inspectors, http://www.tripadvisor.com
A side note: here is an interesting article by a former AAA inspector http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PressReleases1998_4th/Dec98_NoblesAAA.html
JDF 68.53.143.228 (talk) 01:15, 13 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] It's a mess

This article is a mess, worse for being so considering the relatively uncomplicated nature of its subject. It suffers from being encumbered by lists rather than flowing text. It needs some radical attention to make it encyclopaedic and coherent, and I propose the following course of action:

  • Merging the 'Services and facilities' section into the header section.
  • Deleting the 'Boutique hotels' section: do such hotels distinguish themselves so differently from the broad concept of a hotel to be differentiated? I don't think so.
  • Dispensing with the subsection headings in the 'Unusual hotels' and 'World record setting hotels' sections and rewriting them as continuous prose.
  • Deleting the 'Hotel occupations' section: this is bordering on a response to a high school test question... "What kind of jobs do people who work in hotels have?" If a particular occupation relating to a hotel is crucial enough to be worth mentioning then it should be described, backed up with references and be significantly different from any similar job in any other medium scale commercial enterprise.

Anyone who has been keeping an eye on the edits to this article knows that it's a honeypot for corporate self promotion. Hopefully, the suggestions above will go some way to making this more difficult. Anyone up for the task? Alchemagenta (talk) 20:08, 14 April 2008 (UTC)

I've deleted the 'Hotel occupations' section as suggested above. Alchemagenta (talk) 10:51, 28 April 2008 (UTC)
Endorse the deletion. That section had no encylopedic value and needed to go. --MCB (talk) 17:40, 28 April 2008 (UTC)
Since I made most of the edits you lable as "corporate self promotion", please let me know how else to communicate that info and I will do so asap. Appreciate any insights. JDF 68.53.143.228 (talk) 13:44, 11 May 2008 (UTC)

I was referring particularly to the inclusion of external links that simply lead to "Anyhotel's home page" and references to particular hotels or hotel chains that don't add to the understanding of the article's subject. I'd suggest that any reference to a particular hotel or chain needs to have good reason for it's inclusion - more than simply being another example of this or that, otherwise the article is in danger of becoming a billboard for what are essentially profit making businesses. I've checked back over the last six months of the article's edits and can't find any attributed to your IP signature, so if you can give an example here of the type of edit you mean, then we can all comment on it. Alchemagenta (talk) 11:41, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

No worries then, I wrote the comments re. Statistics and Ratings, but based on your posting I think I was OK to do so. JDF 68.53.143.228 (talk) 01:57, 14 May 2008 (UTC)