Accommodation Definitions Guide

This is the definitive accommodation types and styles guide. Here you will be able to understand what to expect from each type of accommodation - what is provided and offered, during your stay.

Hotels

FIVE STAR HOTEL

Exclusive accommodation usually very modern looking with all the bells and whistles, valet parking personal butlers and outstanding service. Focus on high end client usually mid thirties executives, city views with trendy facilities.

The key is unparalleled service that is not intrusive. Hospitality is the priority with all staff highly skilled and trained in client satisfaction and needs. Hotel could be based in any up-market area. Many small touches make it super-special in all suite accommodation, they have a number of popular restaurants and cocktail bars, and fantastic facilities.

BOUTIQUE HOTEL

A boutique hotel is a 5 star establishment providing all the features and facilities of a normal hotel, in a unique and exclusive style. These properties are generally small, feature top class service and are marketed to the affluent.

FOUR STAR HOTEL

Mélange of room categories ranging for Standard to suites, great service and high standard of hospitality. Hotels are in good areas and have one or two in-house restaurants with good facilities.

THREE STAR HOTEL

Very comfortable and trendy, affordable rates but with good service, usually have in house restaurants and good facilities. Limited room service.

AIRPORT HOTEL

Ranging from 5 to 3 star, these establishments can be within a two minute walk of the arrival/departure hall, or a 10 to 15 minute drive of the airport terminal.

Some hotels can loosely claim to be "airport" hotels based on ease of access. ie: the hotel is on a freeway that leads directly to the airport.

Resort Hotels and Resorts

On the beach, or in the country-side, offering anything from safaris to water-sports, casinos and staged nightly theatrical performances.

RESORT HOTEL

A resort hotel describes a hotel establishment within an area hosting various activities and attractions for family and adult entertainment. The resort may cater for sports such as golf and water sports, and / or have a casino complex on the grounds.

FIVE STAR RESORT HOTEL

Fantastic accommodations set in manicured gardens and grounds with all activities included and contained wit in the landscaped grounds. Food and service of the highest quality, with varying suite and villa type accommodation.

THREE STAR RESORT HOTEL

Comfortable and clean basic in-house activities usually have hot springs and large pools, putt-putt and play areas set in large grassy grounds. There are one or two options for dining but mostly self catering.

RESORT

A spread out collection of single or double story accommodation units. Similar to a hotel in that it offers a wide range of facilities. Units may be rented and available on time-share. A camping area may be included in the resort.

GOLF RESORT

A Golf Resort indicates an estate with accommodation and a golf course on site and also generally has a golf shop and golf professional available. In some cases the golf course may be offsite but within a few minutes drive from the estate.

Country Accommodations

WINE ESTATE

Situated on a working wine farm, with views of the vinyards and even access to the wine cellars. Ranging from 5 to 3 star, accommodation ranges from private cottages to private guest house-type rooms with en-suite bathroom, and sime instances private villas.
Landscaped gardens, famous restaurants operated by renowned chefs using mostly fresh farm produce from surrounding olive, dairy and live-stock farms, and fruit orchards.

COUNTRY HOTEL

This is a large hotel over various levels and room types; the focus is on country living, peace and tranquility. Good wholesome food and attentive service in a hotel environment.

COUNTRY INN

This is comfortable type accommodation usually owner run, in smaller towns and villages. The focus is on a peaceful setting with good clean accommodation and tasty meals.

COUNTRY LODGE

A country lodge is totally focused on service and quality food and accommodations, they are smaller than hotels. The peace and tranquility of a large landscaped garden, fresh air and calm it is essential a home away from home.

GUEST FARM

This ia a working farm with accommodation for guests on the farm and offering farm-related activities such as horse riding and hiking. In some cases guests are free to be part of the farming chores such as fruit picking, milking and others.

Smaller Accommodations

GUEST HOUSE

Generally, a private home which has been converted for the dedicated and exclusive use of guest accommodation. The public areas of the establishment are for the exclusive use of the guests. The owner or manager either lives off-site, or in an entirely separate area within the property. A Guesthouse offers a wider range of services than a B&B, and usually caters for all meals.

BED & BREAKFAST or (B&B)

We do not service this type of accommodation. A private home in which guests can be accommodated at night in private bedrooms (which may or may not have private bathrooms). The owner or manager lives in the house or on the property.

The public areas of the house, such as kitchen and lounge have either limited access for guests, or are shared with the host family to some degree. The business may be run as a secondary occupation. Breakfast is included in the price (generally either continental or full-English). Other meals may be available by arrangement.

BACKPACKER HOSTEL

We do not service this type of accommodation. A hostel (or backpacker) establishment is aimed at the budget traveller and generally attracts a younger clientele. Bedrooms are in a dormitory style (shared) and bathrooms are shared, although private bedrooms may be available. Light meals may be available in addition to the room rate.

Safari Lodges and Camps

SAFARI LODGE

Ranging from 5 to 3 star to comfortably basic, a safari lodge is an accommodation facility which is located in a wildlife area. The buildings are permanent hard material structures such as stone, natural unprocessed timber poles and thatch. Game activities such as drives and walks are offered at the lodge.
The dining experience varies between butler serviced, white linen and the very best wines and champagnes, to self-service buffet and good wines.

LUXURY AND DELUXE TENTED SAFARI CAMP


A deluxe tented camp is a superior canvas establishment that prioritizes service and quality in the food and accommodations - and does not necessarily have to be in a wilderness area.
 

TENTED LODGE

This refers to an upmarket permanent establishment that features canvas in the design, the accommodations are of a very high quality, the cuisine is world-class ad attention to furnishings, service levels and comfort are of a very high order.

SAFARI CAMP

Generally refers to a permanent tented establishment in a wildlife game reserve. Sometimes on the same property as a safari lodge.

REST CAMP

A Rest Camp is generally associated with state run, national parks and nature reserves and provides accommodations in the form of self catering huts, guest houses, chalets and tents. Ablutions and cooking facilities may be en-suite or shared.

SERVICED CAMP SITE

Provision of demarcated camping areas, where you pitch your own tent, bring your own food and supplies and do your own cooking and cleaning. Some may offer your own 250V power point. Public ablution blocks.

SAFARI HOTEL

This is a multi-roomed establishment, not IN, but offering access to a wilderness area for game activities. The building is generally thatched and decorated in African style.

Nature Reserve Lodges and Camps

BUSH LODGE

An accommodation facility which is located in a wildlife or nature area. The buildings are permanent hard material structures such as stone and thatch or a mixture of the two. Game activities such as drives and walks are offered at the lodge.

BUSH CAMP

Located in a wildlife areas, for the more adventurous, basic accommodations in tents, wooden cabins or a mixture of both. Pit latrines, basic services.

HUTTED BUSH CAMP

Very basic thatched type accommodation, with a limited facilities, usually a one night sleep over on trails.



BRING YOUR OWN TENT

Provision of demarcated camping areas, where you pitch your own tent, bring your own food and supplies and do your own cooking and cleaning. Public ablution blocks.

Other Lodges

A lodge is an accommodation facility which is located and designed to optimize the feeling of being closely in touch with nature. The building style should feature natural materials and colouring such as wood, stone and thatch. An outdoor experience should be offered at the lodge, such as guided walks, game drives etc.

WILDERNESS LODGE

A wilderness lodge refers to a brick and mortar structure in any wilderness area - not necessarily a big game area. It could be in a coastal reserve, nature reserve or mountain retreat.

DESERT LODGE

A desert camp indicates an establishment constructed of hard materials such as stone and brick that is totally surrounded by desert and possible safari activities.

DELUXE DESERT LODGE

A deluxe desert lodge indicates a permanent establishment that is surrounded by the desert. The service, food and décor is of very high standard.

TENTED DESERT CAMP

A tented desert camp is an establishment under canvas and located in a desert region with 360 degrees of desert experience.

ISLAND BUSH CAMP

An Island Bush Camp signifies a an establishment located on an island and totally surrounded by water, and bordering on rustic that may have en-suite facilities or bucket showers and pit latrines.

TENTED BUSH AND WATER CAMP

The tented bush and water camp describes an establishment under canvas that is located on or facing on a body of water and features water land wilderness activities in equal measure. It could be on a large island that is a proclaimed reserve or private wilderness area - and usually less than 20 rooms. Could be bucket showers and pit latrines.

TENTED BUSH CAMP

A tented Bush Camp signifies an establishment that is leaning to rustic and is located in a remote wilderness area - could be self catering and rarely more than twenty rooms. Could be bucket showers and pit latrines.

WATER CAMP

A water camp describes an establishment of canvas or natural materials that sits on the water or is totally surrounded by water and allowing only for water-associated activities.

WATER LODGE

A water lodge describes an establishment of brick and mortar and is surrounded by water - allowing only for water based activities.

The More Unusual

TRAIN: DELUXE or LUXURY

Rail sojourns through the country, in deluxe, or luxury suites and carriages focusing on excellent food and service, business casual in the day. Black tie to dinner.

HOUSEBOAT: BASIC, DELUXE or LUXURY

This describes a vessel operating on a lake or river, and where guests can overnight on the boat - so literally a hotel on the water. Meals are served on the boat. Activities will vary according to where the boat is located and can include fishing, game watching and birding.

CULTURAL ACCOMMODATION EXPERIENCE

This indicates accommodation that is designed to interpret the cultural aspects of the region it is located in and the staff and activities are geared to showcase the culture as the main attraction. The food is also representative of the culture.

CULTURAL VILLAGE INTERACTIIVITY

The Cultural Village indicates an establishment that is located in a working cultural village. The accommodation need not be "cultural" but activities and food must represent the experience.

Self Catering Accommodation

PRIVATE

A self-catering establishment may be one of the other accommodation types above, and offers dedicated self-catering facilities.

The unit features a fully equipped kitchen to cater for the maximum people to be accommodated; including refrigerator, stove, micro-wave, cutlery, crockery, cooking utensils &cleaning equipment. If it is a city or country establishment, it should include flat-screen TV with DVD and possibly global satellite reception.

LODGE

A permanent establishment in a wilderness or safari area that is not part of a rest camp, and which is not catered, meaning guests have to bring in their own supplies. A fully equipped and exclusive kitchen is available for guests.

BUNGALOW or CHALET

The same as the lodge, above - but the kitchen area is communal. This is particular to national parks and nature reserves.


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