Hotel vs. Resort: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A hotel is a commercial establishment that offers lodging, meals, and guest services, while a resort is a location that provides recreation, entertainment, lodging, and various amenities for guests.
Key Differences
A hotel primarily offers lodging and basic guest services. A resort provides a more comprehensive experience with recreational facilities in addition to lodging.
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Hotels are often located in urban or commercial areas, catering to travelers and business guests. Resorts are typically situated in scenic or remote locations, focusing on leisure and relaxation.
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While hotels provide essential services like rooms and meals, resorts offer a wider range of amenities like spas, pools, and recreational activities.
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Staying at a hotel is often a practical choice for travel, emphasizing convenience and location. Resort stays are more about leisure, offering an escape with various activities and relaxation options.
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Hotel stays are commonly shorter and business-oriented. Resort stays tend to be longer, emphasizing a holiday or leisure experience.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Purpose
Accommodation and basic guest services
Leisure, recreation, and entertainment
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Location
Urban, commercial areas
Scenic, often remote or vacation destinations
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Amenities
Basic amenities like dining, WiFi
Extensive amenities like pools, spas, activities
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Guest Experience
Practical, convenient for travelers
Leisure-oriented, comprehensive experience
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Typical Stay Duration
Shorter, often for business or transit
Longer, vacation-focused stays
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Hotel and Resort Definitions
Hotel
An establishment providing lodging and meals for travelers.
They booked a room at a luxury hotel for their trip.
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Resort
A destination offering various recreational activities and amenities.
The resort offers golf, tennis, and spa treatments.
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Hotel
A part of the hospitality industry offering guest services.
She works at a hotel as a front desk manager.
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Resort
Accommodations with facilities for leisure and entertainment.
The mountain resort is popular for its skiing facilities.
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Hotel
A place where guests can stay overnight.
The hotel offered comfortable accommodations near the airport.
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Resort
A place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations.
They spent a week at a beach resort in Hawaii.
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Hotel
A business providing lodging services for profit.
The new hotel in town has boosted local tourism.
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Resort
A facility providing a variety of recreational options.
The resort has several swimming pools and a water park.
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Hotel
An establishment that provides lodging and usually meals and other services for travelers and other paying guests.
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Resort
To turn to or make use of a person, strategy, or course of action for help or as a means of achieving something
The government resorted to censorship of the press.
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Hotel
A large town house or mansion; a grand private residence, especially in France.
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Resort
To go, especially customarily or frequently; repair
"The whale-bone whales can at last resort to their Polar citadels" (Herman Melville).
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Hotel
An establishment that provides accommodation and other services for paying guests; normally larger than a guesthouse, and often one of a chain.
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Resort
A place frequented by people for relaxation or recreation
A ski resort.
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Resort
A customary or frequent going or gathering
A popular place of resort.
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Resort
The act of turning to a person or thing for help or as a means of achieving something; recourse
Raised the money without resort to borrowing.
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Hotel
The larger red property in the game of Monopoly, in contradistinction to houses. Category:en:Monopoly
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Resort
One turned to or made use of for aid or relief
I would ask him only as a last resort.
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Resort
A place where people go for recreation, especially one with facilities such as lodgings, entertainment, and a relaxing environment.
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Resort
Recourse, refuge something or someone turned to for safety.
To have resort to violence
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Hotel
A house for entertaining strangers or travelers; an inn or public house, of the better class.
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Hotel
In France, the mansion or town residence of a person of rank or wealth.
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Hotel
A building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
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Hotel
A temporary place of residence for travelers.
During his business trips, he prefers to stay at a familiar hotel.
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Resort
(intransitive) To have recourse (to), now especially from necessity or frustration.
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Resort
Active power or movement; spring.
Some . . . know the resorts and falls of business that can not sink into the main of it.
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Resort
The act of going to, or making application; a betaking one's self; the act of visiting or seeking; recourse; as, a place of popular resort; - often figuratively; as, to have resort to force.
Join with me to forbid him her resort.
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Resort
A place to which one betakes himself habitually; a place of frequent assembly; a haunt.
Far from all resort of mirth.
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Resort
To fall back; to revert.
The inheritance of the son never resorted to the mother, or to any of her ancestors.
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Resort
To have recourse; to apply; to one's self for help, relief, or advantage.
The king thought it time to resort to other counsels.
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Resort
Something or someone turned to for assistance or security;
His only recourse was the police
Took refuge in lying
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Resort
Act of turning to for assistance;
Have recourse to the courts
An appeal to his uncle was his last resort
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Resort
Move, travel, or proceed toward some place;
He repaired to his cabin in the woods
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Resort
A popular location for tourists to enjoy holidays.
This island is known for its luxury resorts and pristine beaches.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Do hotels cater to business travelers?
Yes, hotels often cater to business travelers with services like meeting rooms and WiFi.
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Are resorts more expensive than hotels?
Resorts can be more expensive due to their additional amenities and services.
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What is the main purpose of a hotel?
A hotel primarily provides lodging and basic services to travelers.
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Can hotels have recreational facilities like resorts?
Some hotels may offer limited recreational facilities, but they are typically less extensive than those at resorts.
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Do resorts always include meals in the stay?
Not always; it depends on the resort and the package chosen.
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What makes a resort different from a hotel?
A resort offers extensive recreational and leisure facilities, beyond just lodging.
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Can hotels be located in remote or scenic areas?
While less common, some hotels are situated in scenic or remote areas.
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Is it common for resorts to be all-inclusive?
Many resorts offer all-inclusive packages covering meals, drinks, and activities.
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Do resorts typically have larger rooms than hotels?
Resorts often have more spacious rooms and suites compared to standard hotels.
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What kind of activities can one expect at a resort?
Resorts offer activities like swimming, sports, spa treatments, and entertainment.
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What is a boutique hotel?
A boutique hotel is a small, stylish hotel with unique features.
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Can one find hotels and resorts in every country?
Hotels and resorts are found worldwide, though their characteristics may vary by location.
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Is room service more common in hotels or resorts?
Room service is a common feature in both, though the extent may vary.
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What are the peak seasons for hotels and resorts?
Peak seasons vary based on location but are often during holidays and summer months.
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Do hotels and resorts offer loyalty programs?
Many hotels and resorts have loyalty programs offering benefits to frequent guests.
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Do resorts offer special packages for honeymooners?
Many resorts offer special honeymoon packages with romantic extras.
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Can one host events at hotels and resorts?
Both hotels and resorts offer facilities for hosting events like weddings and conferences.
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Are resorts suitable for family vacations?
Yes, resorts are often designed for families, offering activities for all ages.
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Are hotel stays generally shorter than resort stays?
Yes, hotel stays are often shorter and more business or transit-oriented.
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Are there eco-friendly hotels and resorts?
Yes, there is a growing trend of eco-friendly hotels and resorts focusing on sustainability.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.