Hotels: Classification of Rooms in a Hotel

Travelers searching for the ideal hotel room face many choices, from choosing from different types of hotel to deciding which kind of room they want. Most often, the decision over the room style is more important. Though no official standards govern hotel room designations, some basic commonalities allow travelers to estimate a room’s size and amenities with a fair amount of accuracy. Using these basic classifications, a traveler can help ensure getting the room she expects on every trip. Read below to understand the differences between different types of hotel rooms!

Sometimes abbreviated as simply STD, the standard designation denotes the most basic type of room offered by the hotel chain or individual property. Standard rooms vary considerably from chain to chain, and hoteliers known for upscale service likely offer standard rooms with more features than hotels that cater to budget travelers. In addition, independent and franchised hotels may label a typical room as standard and offer a lower class of rooms under the designation of budget or economy. In some cases, a hotelier may offer a standard room with a more desirable view; hotels that offer this option may refer to the offering as a moderate or superior room.

Most standard rooms will be a single room or a double room, meaning there is one bed or there are two beds. There are occupancy recommendations for each kind of room provided by the hotel management to ensure you have the most comfortable stay possible. A single bed style room will most likely fit one or two people, whereas a double bed style room can fit up to four people in most cases.

A step above standard, moderate and superior rooms, deluxe accommodations combine a desirable view with a number of luxurious amenities. Hotels that offer optional in-room jacuzzis, for example, may place these tubs in rooms designated as deluxe. This style of room may allow you to request adjoining rooms with another guest in your party, meaning there is a connecting door between rooms. Hotel guests should expect a price increase for this style of room, and every style that follows it.

When a hotelier takes a deluxe room and adds a separate work or living room area, the classification may change to junior suite. Not quite a full suite, the junior suite gives travelers an opportunity to relax in a designated area of the room or work at an in-room desk. If the hotel also offers a kitchenette in the room, the designation may change to a “studio room”. Upon request, you may be able to fit an additional bed inside of this style of room, meaning a four person room could increase to a five person room, which may be suitable for a larger family or party.

A suite offers a separate sitting area and/or working area; unlike the junior edition, though, true suites separate these areas from the sleeping quarters with a permanent wall and, in many cases, a connecting door. A suite may or may not feature a kitchenette or a full kitchen, but one should check with the front office to inquire about this if it is needed. Suites often offer “King Rooms” to guests, which feature a king sized bed within the sectored off sleeping area. This type of accommodation should be requested at the time of booking.

Depending on the hotel, extra room types may be available to higher paying guests. Especially in 5-star hotels, guests may find penthouse suites and presidential suites as options presented ot them. These hotel room styles will feature a separate sleeping area, a larger living room area, often times a kitchenette and may come stocked with amenities like a mini fridge. No matter the style of room, room service should be available to all guests if the hotel offers it, and every guest will be able to access the swimming pool.

Travelers find a wide selection of bedding in hotels, and some hotels attempt to describe a room’s sleeping accommodations in the room’s classification. Rooms with a king-sized bed may feature a “K” in the classification name, meaning guests will have one large bed fit for two people in the room. A “Q” denotes a queen-sized bed, which is a tad smaller than a king style bed, but still fits two comfortable. A “D” signifies a double bed, which also fits two but is a bit more snug. Some hotels may also include the number of beds in the classification, offering rooms with two double beds (2D) or two queen beds (2Q). An upgrade in bed type may correspond with an increase in room rates at certain hotels as well.

In addition to describing the arrangement of beds and furniture, a hotel room classification may denote the view. Hotels often market rooms designated with an ocean view (OV), mountain view (MV) or city view (CV), according to travel accommodation website City-of-Hotels. Depending on location, the hotel may also offer additional designations that include garden view (GV), pool view (PV), beach front (BF) and water view (WV).