Glossary

Here are the common hotel terms and jargon.

Room Types & Features

Double Room -  a hotel room designed for two guests. It can have one of the following bed setups: 

           ✔ One Double or Full Bed – A single bed that fits two people

           ✔ Two Twin Beds – Separate smaller beds for two guests

           ✔ One Queen or King Bed – Some hotels call this a "double room" if it’s meant for two occupants

One/Two Bedroom Suite – A larger room with a separate living area

Studio Suite - hotel room that combines the bedroom, living area, and sometimes a small kitchenette into a single open space. It’s larger than a standard hotel room but does not have a separate bedroom like a full suite.

Accessible Room – A room designed for guests with disabilities, featuring wider doors, grab bars, and other accommodations

Roll-In Shower -  a barrier-free shower designed for wheelchair accessibility. Unlike standard showers, it has no step or raised edge, making it easy for guests with mobility challenges to enter.

Connecting Rooms – Two rooms with an internal door between them

Adjoining Rooms – Rooms next to each other but without a connecting door

Rollaway Bed – An extra bed that can be added to a room

Sofa Bed – A couch that converts into a bed

Hotel Jargons

Maximum Occupancy - refers to the highest number of guests allowed to stay in a hotel room for safety and comfort reasons. Exceeding maximum occupancy can result in extra charges or denial of check-in, so guests should always book rooms that fit their group size

No-Show – A guest who booked a room but did not arrive

Service Animal - specially trained animal, usually a dog, that assists individuals with disabilities. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), hotels must allow service animals, even if they have a "no pets" policy.

Walk-In – A guest who arrives without a prior reservation

Early Check-In / Late Check-Out – Arriving earlier or leaving later than standard times

Comp Room (short for Complimentary Room) - a free hotel room provided to a guest.

Room service is a hotel service that allows guests to order food and drinks to be delivered directly to their room.

Voucher - a hotel context is a document or digital code that provides a guest with a discount, free service, or prepaid stay.

Incidentals -  refer to extra charges a guest may incur during their hotel stay, beyond the room rate and taxes. These charges are typically added to the final bill at checkout.

Group/Block Rates are discounted hotel rates offered when multiple rooms are booked together, usually for events, business trips, or large gatherings.

Key Differences:

✔ Group Rate – A special price given to a group booking multiple rooms (usually 9+ rooms).

 ✔ Block Rate – A fixed rate for a set number of rooms reserved in advance for a group.

Travel Agent Rate - a discounted hotel rate offered exclusively to licensed travel agents as a perk for booking clients or to experience the property firsthand.

Resort Fee – Extra charge for hotel amenities (e.g., Wi-Fi, pool, gym)

Auth Hold – Authorization Hold (temporary hold on a credit card )

FEMA - stands for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In the hotel industry, FEMA-approved hotels are properties that meet certain government safety and security standards, making them eligible for government employees and emergency personnel to stay in during official travel or disaster response.

Hotel Rewards, Membership, and Points - Many hotel chains offer loyalty programs where guests earn points for each stay, which can be redeemed for free nights, upgrades, or other perks.

✔ Rewards Program – A system where frequent guests earn benefits (e.g., Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG)

 ✔ Member Rate – A special discounted rate for loyalty program members

 ✔ Points – Earned based on the amount spent, redeemable for free stays, dining, or experiences

 ✔ Elite Status – Higher membership tiers (e.g., Silver, Gold, Platinum) that offer perks like free breakfast, late check-out, or suite upgrades

Per Diem Rate - daily allowance for travel expenses, including hotels, meals, and incidentals, usually provided to government employees, corporate travelers, or military personnel.

Abbreviations

FD - Front Desk

CI - Check IN 

CO - Check Out

AAA - (American Automobile Association) Rate – A discounted hotel rate offered to members of AAA, a roadside assistance and travel organization

AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) Rate – A special hotel discount for AARP members, typically aged 50+, offering savings on rooms, dining, and other perks.

CAA - stands for Canadian Automobile Association, which is Canada’s version of AAA. Many hotels offer CAA discounts similar to AAA rates in the U.S.

ADA - The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a U.S. law that requires hotels to provide equal access to guests with disabilities.