Room categories, VIews and bedding types

Choosing a hotel room category can often be a daunting task, especially when you don’t know what the individual room-type descriptions mean. Here is a quick run-down on common room categories in the United States, the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico:

STANDARD (std): This category usually means the most basic room type offered by the hotel. It has basic, standard amenities and furnishings. A standard room in a Four Seasons hotel is without question much more deluxe than a standard in, say, a Holiday Inn, but there may be higher categories from which to choose. Standard rooms in hotels with higher categories often have no view or have a poor view over the dumpster or parking lot.

MODERATE (mod): Usually a slight bit better than standard, but still not deluxe. It may refer to the room view as well as the size and type of furnishings offered.

SUPERIOR (sup): This category is always subject to interpretation. It’s supposed to mean superior to a standard room in both size and furnishings, but it often refers to just the view. Some hotels have only Superior rooms; the categories then are defined by the view and location of the room.

DELUXE (dlx): These rooms are supposed to be Deluxe in every way: view, location, furnishings and size. In some Caribbean hotels, however, a deluxe room is a lower category than a Superior, so it’s wise to question your choice before final booking.

RUN OF HOUSE (roh): This can mean anything the hotel wants it to mean, but typically the interpretation should be “standard room or better at time of check in; any location within the hotel.” With the exception of upgrades to suites or junior suites, this category often does not distinguish between Standard, Superior or Deluxe. It does NOT mean, however, best room available at time of check-in.

JUNIOR SUITE (jrste): A “junior” suite is typically a larger room with a separate seating area. Sometimes it’s got a small divider between the part of the room that the bed is in and the seating area, but it is not two separate rooms.

SUITE (ste): A Suite is usually two or more rooms clearly defined; a bedroom and a living or sitting room, with a door that closes between them. Many hotels use the word “suite” to define any room with a sofa in it so be sure to check thoroughly if what you really want are the two or more separate rooms.

STUDIO (stu): This is usually configured like a Junior Suite, but has the added advantage of a “kitchenette, ” or cooking facilities.

Next comes bedding categories. These are usually easier to figure out:

KING (K): A king-sized bed, in U.S. measurements, that would be 72 inches wide by 72 inches long.

CALIFORNIA KING (CK): a king-sized bed that’s longer than it is wide: 72 inches wide by 78 inches long.

QUEEN (Q): A bed in U.S. measurements that is 60 inches wide and 72 inches long.

DOUBLE (D): A bed in U.S. measurements that is 54 inches wide and 72 inches long.

TWIN (T): A twin is supposed to be 36 inches wide and 72 inches long, but it can also describe a bed that is as narrow as 32 inches wide. It is also sometimes called a “single.”

And now the description of room views:

PARTIAL OCEAN VIEW (pov): Ahhh. You’ve scrimped and saved for that Hawaii vacation and finally can afford a decent hotel with a Partial Ocean View room category. Does this mean that your view is blocked by some trees? Usually not: In its most cynical definition it means that if you step out on your balcony, lean over at a 45-degree angle, crane your neck until your bones crack, you might get a glimpse of the sea between two other buildings. Or, it might mean that your room is on the side of a building and you can actually see a bit of the ocean from inside your room, but your window does not face the ocean and you don’t see a lot of it.

OCEAN VIEW (ov): This could mean one of two things: Your room is on the side of a building and you have a full view down the beach and can see the ocean but you don’t FACE the ocean, or that you are in a hotel several blocks away and on a high enough floor that you can see the ocean from your room. In the second scenario you may well be facing the water, but from a distance. In a beachfront hotel, or even one across the street from the beach, this category does not mean facing the ocean.

OCEAN FRONT (of): Here is the category that gives you a full-on ocean view. It means that the windows in your room face the ocean. Depending on the type of hotel you are in, it could mean that you are on a higher floor and have a more sweeping view.

BEACH FRONT (bf): Hotels that have access directly onto a beach often have this category available to guests; in its strictest interpretation, you should be able to walk out of your room and onto the sand. Some hotels use this category, though, for their lower ocean front rooms even if you have to go down an interior corridor and take an elevator to get outside. If what you want is to just be able to walk out, check carefully before you book.

CITY VIEW (ctv, cvw, or cty): It could mean on a higher floor with a broad view over the city, OR... it could mean a city view instead of a more desirable ocean view or mountain view etc.

MOUNTAIN VIEW (mvw, mtv): Looking out at the mountains. This is great if you’re skiing; in the Caribbean it usually means “You aren’t looking at the sea.”

WATER VIEW (wvw, wtv): Your room looks at or has a view of a featured body of water in your destination. Sometimes this is replaced with specifics: Lake View, for example, or Lagoon View or River View.

ISLAND VIEW (isv, ivw, isl): A euphemism used in both Hawaii and the Caribbean for no ocean view at all. It means your room faces the opposite side of the hotel from the ocean.

POOL VIEW (plv, pvw): Self explanatory.

GARDEN VIEW (gdn, gdv): Usually means lower floors, facing landscaping, no view except of the shrub that blocks your window.

Let’s face it: No hotel is going to have a “Dumpster View” room category, and some rooms that are called “Deluxe” by a hotel simply aren’t. So if these issues are important to you, check them out carefully, even going so far as calling the hotel to clarify.

Of course there are other room designations as well: Handicap Accessible, Smoking, Non-Smoking, Concierge (or Tower) Level, Club Level, Balcony etc. but those are pretty self-explanatory.

With this guide and some careful planning, you shouldn’t end up looking at a freeway off ramp in a room with one twin bed for your honeymoon.

(https://www.sleeping-around.com/practical/hotel_room_types.shtml)

Additional abbreviations:

CREDIT CARD codes:

АЕ – American Express

АС – Access

ВС – Barclaycard

СВ – Carte Blanche

DC – Diners Club

DS – Discover

ЕС – Euro card

ER – En Route

JC – JCB International

MC – MasterCard

VS – Visa

MEAL PLAN codes:

ЕР – European plan: no meals

СР – Continental Plan: continental breakfast only or as indicated

MAP – Modified American plan: American breakfast and dinner

DP – Demi-Pension: Continental breakfast and either table d’hote lunch /dinner

АР – American Plan: American breakfast, lunch and dinner

FP – Full Pension: Continental breakfast, table d’hote, lunch and dinner

Other abbreviations:

PRPN – Per room per night

PPPN – Per person per night

ВВ – Buffet Breakfast

TIC – Tourist Information Center