What is the difference between a full service and a limited service hotel

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In this blog post, we are going to talk about the differences between full and limited services hotels and what to expect from both.

Full-service hotel

The term full-service hotel refers to a hotel that offers a wide variety of different services to please its guests and it could be a mid-price, upscale, or luxury hotel. A simple differentiation between full and limited-service hotels is the food and beverage component.

Establishments under this category provide full restaurants on site, besides other features, like more spacious and luxurious rooms, laundry, security, shuttle services, spa, fitness facilities, room service, concierge, and staff to help guests with the luggage.

Full-service hotels will generally be more expensive than limited service, due to the larger staff needed to offer all these services.

Guests that have booked at a full-service hotel do not expect to encounter further significant costs and also expect more attentive and quality service due to the price they are paying.

Mid-price hotels

In mid-price hotels, customers are usually looking for the services of a full-service hotel at a slightly higher price point than a limited-service hotel. These hotels are usually located near highways, airports, and downtown areas.

Upscale hotels

In upscale hotels, brand recognition and customer loyalty are important. These hotels often offer more guest rooms and special services, like gift shops, concierge, and extended room service. Usually located in larger cities, near casinos, international airports, or tourist destinations.

Luxury hotels

Luxury hotels offer all the features guests could expect during their stay. Customers demand that and are willing to pay for the highest levels of quality and convenience. These hotels are located in resort areas and heart of major cities.

Limited service hotel

Limited service hotels are usually simply described as budget-friendly hotels that offer accommodations without the food/beverage component on site, like a restaurant.

However, the services and amenities factor has changed and expanded over the last few years. Nowadays, a limited-service hotel might include a business center, fitness room, pool, and small meeting rooms.

“Budget” limited-service hotels offer simple rooms at modest prices.  More robust limited-service hotels offer many of the same high-quality amenities that guests would expect from full-service hotels, but again, without the food and beverage component.

Here are a few things you can expect from a limited-service hotel:

• Accessible and reasonable price point;
• Fewer staff working, since they do not offer as many services as full-service hotels;
• Suitable for business people looking for either short or long stays;
• Since the hotel does not offer a restaurant, it is possible that the rooms are equipped with a small kitchen/appliances for light cooking;
• The common features usually offered are Internet access, television, among others.

Although the difference in hotel classification still exists, the standards for limited-service facilities have gone up. Many hotels and motels that fall under this category, now offer more services to their customers, like a small gym, swimming pool, or a business center. This has happened due to higher customer demands at a more accessible price point.

Independently of the type of hotel, you are staying in, the most important is to enjoy your stay the most and feel satisfied with the value of the services offered.