8 TYPES OF ROOMS

S. Vijayakumar

1.   INTRODUCTION

Hotel is a place which provides many facilities like accommodations, meals and other extra services for those who travel from their native place to various destinations for different reasons like education, sports, leisure, medical treatments, pilgrims, ethnic, tourism, etc. Rooms are a main source of revenue to a hotel. A room to guests provides security, comfort, privacy, convenience, cleanliness and hygiene, etc to a guest who stays there in the hotel. So the sale of room is given more importance by every hotel. The hotel rooms provide a feeling of a “Home Away from Home” for the guests, as they enjoy the facilities in their home. In hotels the rooms are categorized and priced according to the type of bed, number of occupants, number of bed, decor, specific furnishings or features and nowadays special even the special theme available in the room.

The front desk personnel should have a thorough knowledge about the rooms that is available in the hotel. He should know the characters and types of facilities that are available in each type of room available in the hotel before assigning the room to the guest before the arrival of the guest. The guest agent must also be aware about the guestroom. The front desk personnel also should not to forget the specific request or special requests that are requested by the guests for e.g.: – queen bedded room, twin bed room, room away from the elevator, non- smoking room, cabana, etc.

Significance of rooms

The sale of rooms contributes approximately fifty percent or more to the hotel’s total revenue. A room is meant for ‘sale’ only when a room is leased for occupancy for twenty four hours. The sale should be at a predetermined cost. A guest room is a perishable commodity. If a guest room is not sold on a particular day, it loses the revenue for that day, which is a loss for the hotel.

2.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson you will be able to

Ø  The various types of rooms that are sold in a hotel.

Ø   Importance of these guest rooms.

Ø   The various facilities that are offered in these rooms.

3. TYPES OF ROOMS 3.1 Single room

Single room comes as single with one bed which provides single occupancy. It is the cheapest among the rooms in the hotel. A standard single room has the basic amenities like a television, telephone, coffee maker, writing desk, private bathrooms, closets, menu cards for room service, etc. Other facilities in a single room depend on the management’s decision. For example, a two-star hotel may provide a little more than the basic amenities. A five-star hotel’s single room may have a bath tub, flat-screen television, mini bar and with a different ambience and interior decorations. Mostly these single rooms are preferred by individuals who are very particular about the cost of the rooms. Nowadays the concept of single rooms is getting reduced in most of the hotels.

3.2 Double room

A Double room is a room which has double bed facility. This room is meant for two persons or for a small family with a small kid. The Standard Size of a double bed is usually 54 inches by 75 inches. A standard double room has the basic amenities like a television, telephone, coffee maker, writing desk, private bathrooms, closets, mini refrigerator, etc. A high standard hotel may be offering more facilities for their guests depending on the hotel.

3.3 Twin room

A Twin room is a room which has two separate single beds which are separated by a center table, where the telephones, scribbling pads, pen, etc. are placed. This room is meant to provide double occupancy especially for those who stay together, but from different families. The Standard Size of each bed is 36 inches by 75 inches. These beds have separate head rests, one for each bed. An extra bed may be added to this room when a guest on the requests for it. These are charged accordingly. These rooms are suitable for sharing accommodation among a group or delegates of a meeting.

3.4 Hollywood twin room

A Twin room is a room which has two separate single beds, but shares a common head board. These beds are separated by a center table, where the telephones, scribbling pads, pen, etc. are placed. This room is meant to provide double occupancy especially for those who stay together, but from different families. The Standard Size of each bed is 36 inches by 75 inches. These beds have separate head rests, one for each bed. An extra bed may be added to this room when a guest on the requests for it. These are charged accordingly. These rooms are suitable for sharing accommodation among a group or delegates of a meeting.

3.5 Triple/triad room

Triple or Triad room is a room with three single beds separated with each other. This room is meant for three people or families. Few hotels provide these types of rooms to accommodate families. These are slightly larger rooms to place three beds. A triple room has three queen-size beds. The size of the bed is normally five feet by five feet. These family rooms also provide sitting areas which is doubled as a sleeping space when the couch is let out into a bed. Some hotels provide bunk beds for the kids. Triple or family rooms are more commonly found as suite rooms rather than as a large room with several beds in it. It may be more comfortable to select a suite room rather than taking a triple room in a hotel. Suite rooms provide more comfort than a Triple room as it is having a separate space for the living area.

3.6 Quad room

A Quad room is a room has four single beds separated from each other. This room is meant to accommodate four people. The room may be a little larger as to accommodate four single beds. At the same time space should be provided for sitting space also. These rooms are commonly preferred by groups who travel together for some specific reasons like sports, tourism, etc. Facilities provided may be the same as like other rooms like triple room, etc. These type of rooms are not commonly seen in all the hotels and these are offered in only very few hotels, especially in tourist destinations.

3.7 Double- double room

A double- double room has two double beds. These rooms are normally preferred by families or groups as it can accommodate four persons together. The room may be a little larger as to accommodate two double beds. At the same time space should be provided for sitting also. These rooms are commonly preferred by groups who travel together for some specific reasons like family functions, tourism, etc. Facilities provided may be the same like a triple room, double- double room, etc. These type of rooms are not commonly seen in all the hotels and these are offered in only very few hotels, especially in tourist destinations.

3.8 Interconnecting rooms

Interconnecting rooms are two rooms which are situated close to each other. It will be having an interconnecting door in the common wall which connects the two rooms. These rooms are mostly preferred by families who move together for some specific reasons like to attend a function, a tour to spend their leisure time, who go as a team for some conferences, etc. The interconnecting door can be locked when it is not used. These types of rooms are also not commonly offered in all the hotels; also it is not more in numbers when offered in a hotel.

3.9 Adjacent rooms

Adjacent rooms are situated next to each other along the corridors. But these rooms do not share a common wall with it. These rooms are also mostly preferred by families who move together for some specific reasons like to attend a function, a tour to spend their leisure time, who go as a team for some conferences, etc. These rooms are provided only based on special requests from the guests.

3.10 Adjoining rooms

Adjoining rooms are two rooms which are situated close to each other and this shares a common wall but these do not have connecting doors between them. These rooms are mostly preferred by groups or families who move together for some specific reasons like to attend a function, a tour to spend their leisure time and who go as a team for some conferences, etc. These rooms are provided only based on special requests from the guests.

3.11 Duplex

A Duplex is a type of suite room which is been spread on two floors connected by an internal staircase. The two rooms on two successive floors with generally sitting or living room on down floor and bed room on the upper floor. This suite is generally preferred by business guests who wish to use the lower level as an office and the meeting place and the upper level room as a bedroom. This type of room is quite expensive. These types of rooms are not commonly seen in all the hotels. Only very few hotels offer these types of rooms.

3.12 Cabana

Cabana is a room which is near a water body or beside swimming pool. This room is used for changing or bathing purpose, usually situated next to the swimming pool. It is usually attractive with a small bar attached. It may also be furnished with a sofa cum bed. Some hotels are designed in such a way that each room is attached with a swimming pool. These rooms are mainly designed to attract guests with varied interests. These rooms are specially attracted by pleasure seekers who would like to spend some time for their relaxation.

3.13 Studio room

A Studio room is a living or sitting room with a Parlor set up. It is a room with one or two studio Beds or couches or sofa cum bed. It is used for sitting and cannot be used for sleeping purpose. Chairs and tables are also provided. It normally exists as a part of suite. It is mainly preferred by people who would like to meet others in their place of stay. These types of rooms are not commonly seen in many hotels and are limited only with a few.

3.14 Penthouse

Penthouse is a room that is situated on the topmost floor of a hotel, a part of which may be opened to the sky. Some of these rooms may be accompanied by a swimming pool, patio, a tennis court, & other facilities & amenities. It has very opulent décor and furnishings. It is the costliest rooms in the hotels. It is mostly preferred by celebrities and major political personalities. These types of rooms are not more in number. These rooms are mostly preferred by those who would like to have more privacy during their stay. There will be a clear view of the city from this room.

3.15 Lanai

Lanai is a type of room which is normally found in hill resorts. It is a room with a good view of scenic beauty like gardens, landscapes, water falls, lakes, etc. from the balcony of the room. These rooms are generally situated at corners for good view. These rooms are specially preferred by those who love nature, by sitting in the balcony and enjoying the nature.

3.16 Efficiency room

An Efficiency room is generally a room with a small kitchen area, or kitchenette, and typically also has a dining table with chairs and a separate bathroom. These hotels are usually found in residential hotels, motels and resorts. These rooms are mostly preferred by those who want to stay for a longer period and those who want to try their own cooking and wish to have their own food. Necessary ingredients are provided. Gas facilities are also provided for their cooking, and these are charged individually along with the hotel bill. These rooms are also especially preferred by families. These types of rooms are also not more in number.

3.17 Hospitality room

Hospitality room is a room where hotel staff would entertain their guests. It is a room which is used only by the residential guests to entertain their guests and to hold parties or meetings. This is a room which is suitable to hold a small group. These rooms are charged separately. These types of rooms are also not commonly seen in many hotels.

3.18 Suite room

Suite room is the most luxurious room in a hotel. It is a room which comprises of two or more bedroom, a living room and a dining area. It may also contain a bar and a small kitchen. It is the most important room for the following reasons .The size of the room is larger than the other rooms .More facilities are offered e.g. compact kitchenette. The room has facilities like a refrigerator, beverage pantry etc. It has a distinctive décor or color which often gives the suite its name. It has elaborate fittings and fixtures. It is the most expensive room in the hotel. The main feeling of a suite is it is like a micro apartment inside the hotel. Also called a deluxe room, the suite is much larger than a standard. Suites rooms are mostly preferred by businesspeople and families, for those who are willing to stay in the hotel for a longer period of time. The executive or presidential suite is the best type of suites in a hotel. The rooms are very spacious with the necessary amenities that hotel has to offer to the hotel. In many hotels, the presidential suite or penthouse is situated on the top most floors. This is the most expensive room in the hotel. Standard suites are more expensive than a standard room. But of course it may cost only a little high more than the triple or family rooms. Hotels such as Embassy Suites have only suites rooms that are available to their customers. Special amenities are also provided for its customers.

3.19 Junior suite

Junior suite is a large room in which partition is done by using a wooden board separating the living room furnishings from the bed room. This room does not comprise a separate room as a living room.

3.20 King bedroom

A King room is a room with a king sized bed. The size of the bed is 6 feet by 6 feet. An extra bed may be added to this room on the request of a guest and charged accordingly. The basic amenities like a television, telephone, coffee maker, writing desk, private bathrooms, closets, mini refrigerator, etc. A high standard hotel may be offering more facilities for their guests depending on the hotel.

3.21 Queen bedroom

A Queen room has a queen sized bed. The size of the bed is 5 feet by 5 feet. An extra bed may be added to this room on the request of a guest and charged accordingly. The basic amenities like a television, telephone, coffee maker, writing desk, private bathrooms, closets, mini refrigerator, etc. A high standard hotel may be offering more facilities for their guests depending on the hotel.

3.22 Sico room

Sico room is a room with a bed that can be set up against the wall when not in use. It may not have a picture frame or headboard at the back of the bed. The bed is known as Murphy bed. This can be used as a two – in – purpose. These are new types of rooms established recently and so these canny be seen in most of the hotels.

3.23 Solarium

Solarium is a type of room, which is covered by a glass which allows sunrays to filter in. In European countries solarium is preferred. This gives a natural lighting as well as a pleasant mindset for those who are enjoying a natural lighting through the glass ceiling.

3.24 Tourist Huts

Tourist huts are independent rooms or suites that are detached and situated from the main hotel. These rooms are mostly preferred by those who expect greater privacy and exclusivity. Some suites have separate mini- kitchens, for those who prefer to cook their own food.

Web references

• www.littlehotelier.com
• www.capterra.com/reservations-software
• www.softwareadvice.com › Hotel Management Software
• www.xotels.com/en/hotel-reservation-system
• www.codeproject.com

Book References

1. Aggarwal, R. Hotel Front office – Systems and Procedure, Sublime Publicat
2. ions, Jaipur, 2002.
3. Bhatnagar, S.K. Front Office Management, Frank Bros, New Delhi, 2004.
4. Andrew, S. Text book of Front Office Management and Operation, Tata McGraw Hill Publishing Company Ltd, New Delhi, 2008.
5. Ismail, S.A. Front Office Operation and Management, Thomson Asia Pvt Ltd, 2004.

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