History of Hotels

Hotels have come a long way since their initial creation nearly 1,300 years ago. After all, can you imagine peoples’ reactions if they were asked to bring a hammock with them to an American hotel? Just 235 years ago, that was the expectation at American seaport inns. Hotel and their amenities have improved dramatically over the years, and many have become notorious throughout the world for their high-class establishments and the famous people who stay there, such as The Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand and The Chelsea Hotel in New York, New York.

Infographics: History of Hotels © CreditDonkey

EMBED IN YOUR SITE: <a href="http://www.creditdonkey.com/history-of-hotels.html"><img src="http://www.creditdonkey.com/image/1/550w/history-of-hotels.png" alt="Infographics: History of Hotels" width="550" height="2467" border="0" /></a><br />Courtesy of: <a href="http://www.creditdonkey.com/">CreditDonkey</a> This work by http://www.creditdonkey.com/ is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.

As hotels changed and improved throughout the years, chains have emerged with there now being at least 15 major international hotel brands in existence today and more than 500 scattered throughout numerous countries. Best Western International has rose among the competition, becoming the world’s largest hotel brand with more than 4,200 hotels in 80 countries.

As travelers are well aware, even though a hotel may be part of a chain, it doesn’t guarantee it will have the features they are looking for, as there can be a large discrepancy in the amenities offered from one hotel chain to another. Here are some tips to take to ensure the hotels you book have the features you’re seeking.

Watch the stars

One way to determine if a hotel is right for you is by going by the star rating system. This system will give you a general feel for the amenities that will be available to you during your stay. You fill find hotels ranked anywhere from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 star hotels being the “most desirable” when it comes to a wide-range of amenities. Some hotels have now given themselves self-proclaimed 6 and 7 star ratings. But these ratings are not observed by travel professionals.

If you are looking into staying at a hotel that hasn’t been rated, proceed with caution. These hotels may be in dangerous locations or are in too much disrepair to have even earned a 1-star rating. Considering a 1-star rating is a place that most people choose not to stay, this could be an uncomfortable experience. Of course, there are some hotels who offer 5-star services that haven’t been assigned a rating!

• 1-star: Shared bathrooms and hardly functional rooms make these hotels a place that many consumers do not want to stay
  
• 2-star: Often defined by the bare minimum features – bathroom, TV and telephone
  
• 3-star: These hotels are well built and managed but lack the finesse of higher rated establishments; likely to have a 24-hour reception service and a restaurant
  
• 4-star: Known as good business hotels, often featuring a business center and with hotel-wide Internet
  
• 5-star: The most luxurious of hotels, offering guests with extra services like dog-walking, top-rate gyms, spas, swimming pools, clubs, bars and other entertainment

Take advantage of rewards

There are many rewards credit cards that now specialize in travel and hotel rewards. These cards often have a dedicated travel call center with travel agents who may be able to steer you toward options that are best for you. Many rewards credit cards also have detailed websites that will enable you to compare various lodging options to help you narrow down your choices.

Look for special designations

If you are looking for a unique experience, try looking for a hotel that has a historical designation. These hotels often have fascinating histories and intricate details. If you’re a history buff, this could be a fun travel experience for you.

Resort hotels are also a choice that vacationers often choose when looking to get away and be pampered. These hotels often have on-site spas and a wide-array of entertainment and meal options so you don’t have to leave the hotel until it’s time to go home.

Get recommendations

When in doubt, ask your friends and family for their recommendations. If you know someone who has visited your destination or used to live in that area, it is likely they will be able to give you some hotel tips for the area. However, if your friends haven’t visited the area for years, keep in mind that the hotels they recommend may have changed, making what was once a highly-rated hotel just another mark in hotel history.

(Reporting by Andrew; Infographics by Tina; Additional Writing by Meghan)

Write to Andrew Green at andrew@creditdonkey.com

Share this on Facebook or Twitter