This is for Hospitality Management Progra - Contemporary Resort Development and Management

On the surface, it can be hard to tell the difference between a resort and a hotel, especially when marketing starts getting involved. But there are clear differences, and knowing them can help you make sure you get the right kind of lodging at the right price.

The Rooms

When you stay at a hotel, you’ll probably spend most of your time either away from the hotel or in your room, perhaps a little time at the hotel bar. As a result, hotel rooms tend to be simple, but comfortable, with a bed, a bathroom, and maybe a chair or a desk. These are built to give you a serviceable place to sleep, work, or relax.

With a resort, it’s expected that you’ll spend most of your time enjoy the facilities, and very little time in your room. As a result, the rooms tend to be a little smaller. That being said, you can also find rooms more geared towards luxury and relaxing. These will tend to have whirlpool tubs instead of showers, and soft chairs instead of desks.

The Facilities

This is the biggest difference between the two. At a hotel, you’ll find facilities that are somewhat fun, but a little more practical. Amenities like fitness rooms, laundry facilities, and conference rooms are more common at hotels. Bars and restaurants will tend to be a little more practical, and the pool is probably more straight-forward.

At resort, the focus is on having a good time and relaxing. Many resorts will have multiple pools that are often geared for fun with slides or pool bars. There are often multiple restaurants with different feels to them. There can be extensive gardens, access to a private beach, or a wide variety of other features geared to having a good time.

The Focus

There is a reason behind all of this:

Hotels are built for travelers. Sure, they want you to relax and feel welcome, but most of the clientele of hotels is people who are only staying there, This includes business travelers, people stopping on a trip, or tourists who will spend their time away from the hotel.

Resorts are built for vacationers. The guests at a resort will be there specifically to spend their free time enjoying the resort’s facilities. Rather than just being a place to stay, a resort is the actual destination for the guests.

Hotels Within Resorts

Sometimes, hotels can be within a resort, such as at theme parks or casinos. But even then, the same rules apply: These hotels assume that you will spend your time in the theme park or on the casino floor instead of in your actual hotel.