Winnipeg: | | | |
Lodging Terms and Definitions
Compiled by: Michelle and Keith Sanheim
River Gate Inn Bed and Breakfast, Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Bed and Breakfast (England, Ireland, Canada, Australia, United
States, International) – In Canada, this must be a private residence
with the owner/host occupying part of the house. Extra sleeping
accommodations with breakfast the next morning are normal
arrangements. The rate fluctuates as well as the quality of the
location, linens, breakfast and amenities. Some are simple and others
are extravagant with everything in between. Every Bed and Breakfast
is as unique as the owner and one advantage over other forms of
accommodation is the ability to interact with other guests, the owner,
and exchange information or ask for help.
Inn (UK, Australia, North America) – in the traditional sense, Inns
provided food, alcohol, accommodations as well as stabling and feed
for horses. Many Inns in the modern sense have facets of these
characteristics in their services. "Inn" used in North America typically
refers to lodging and the range of services provided varies
considerably. River Gate Inn is an example of an upscale Bed and
Breakfast while Holiday Inn is a hotel chain.
Hotel (North America, South America, Europe, Asia) - A hotel is
usually a commercial establishment ranging in price where lodging,
meals and other facilities such as conference rooms are available at an
extra cost. The range in hotels is extensive and the costs associated
with them vary considerably.
Motel (Canada, United States, UK, Australia) – "Motel" comes
from a combination of two words, "motor" and "hotel". They are built
with a motorist in mind and usually provide short term
accommodations close to a highway. Parking is usually immediately in
front of the door to your room. Also referred to as a Motor Lodge,
Motor Hotel or Motor Inn. The price is usually reasonable but this and
the quality may vary considerably.
Wirsthaus (German) - the translation of Wirsthaus literally means
"a host's house". Inns or Wirsthauses are common in Germany and
reflect the sense of adventure and travel common to many Germans.
Ryokan (Japan) – traditionally, a Japanese Inn or equivalent to a bed
and breakfast. They date back as far as the Edo Era (1603-1868).
Traditionally, beds are futons, tea making supplies are available and
breakfasts may either be in the traditional Japanese style or Western
style.
Minishuku (Japan) – similar to boarding houses, or the lower-cost
and profile version of a ryokan. Services are reduced, the food
provided is simple, and the rooms may be extra rooms in someone's
home.
Public House (England, UK) – in common terms today, pubs. In
England, many public houses provided food, alcoholic drink and
lodging. A pub that offers lodging was also referred to as an Inn.
Hotel (Australian) – similar to a pub that offers alcoholic beverages
as well as lodging. Historically, only hotels were allowed to provide
alcohol in Australia. Today, many only serve alcohol and have
eliminated lodging as part of their service.
Private Hotel (Australian) – Hotels in Australia which provide only
lodging. See also Hotel (Australian).
Suite (Canada, United States, International) – a suite for lodging
purposes is a set of rooms usually found in a hotel, but not always.
Typically a suite minimally consists of a bedroom, a sitting room and a
bathroom. It is not uncommon for them to have a kitchen and perhaps
a desk as well. Suites are priced at the high end of the
accommodations scale and it should be expected to pay more. Suites
also vary considerably in price, value and service. Breakfast may be
served as room service for additional charges.
Additonal Lodging Terms
Bothy (Scottish) – restored older buildings that are for free use.
Left
unlocked and very much on the honour system, a Bothy is a place for
walking or bicycling travelers to rest. There is an etiquette to using a
Bothy so research is recommended.
Alpine Hut (Swiss) – found in the mountains they provide food,
shelter and sleeping arrangements for mountaineers or climbers.
There is a cost associated with them although some are "unmanned"
out of season.
Climbing Hut (UK and Ireland) – accommodations best compared
to an Alpine Hut. Though generally "unmanned", the accommodations
are generally better than a Bothy.
Wilderness Hut (Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia) – located
in wilderness areas and frequently along backpacking routes,
Wilderness huts are free and for temporary accommodation. The size
and number accommodated can vary greatly. Reservations are not
typical and they are open for anyone.
Autiotupa (Finland) – a wilderness hut throughout Finland. There
are official and unofficial huts, they are free and vary in size. The
historic use was for base camps and meant strictly for the use of
relevant 'societies'. A rule that is unique is the last traveler has the
most right to accommodation. The person who was there the longest
should make room for the new, tired traveler. Leave the hut as you
found it and improvements such matches etc. are welcome.
Capsule Hotel (Japanese) – unique to Japan, a capsule hotel
provides a bed, TV, and pillow in a PVC 'room' stacked and attached in
a row to the rooms around it. It is designed as a low cost, short term
accommodation. The odd businessman who has missed the last train
home for the night may choose to stay in a capsule hotel. As you can
imagine, privacy may be a bit of an issue.
Hostel (International) – a low cost, supervised accommodation
option favoured by backpackers. The standards vary considerably and
the cost fluctuates as well but generally the accommodations are
sparse. Beds may be bunk beds or in dormitories. Sometimes referred
to a Youth Hostels. The first hostel formed was in 1912 in Altena,
Germany. Curfews may apply.
Caves (International) – typically free although you may be asked to
share with wildlife, Caves provide a low cost alternative
accommodation. Weather may be an issue.
Cottage (Eastern Canada). See Below
Camp (Northwestern Ontario, Canada). See Below
Chalet (Quebec, Canada). See Below.
Cabin (Western Canada) – typically, but not always, a summer
home near a lake. They can all be rented and will vary in quality,
amenities available, accessibility and price if they are for rent. Typical
use is on weekends or for holidays. Fishing, boating, swimming and
outdoor activities of all types are usually available.
Cottage (Finnish) – a permanent building traditionally made of logs,
close to a lake. Similar to a Canadian Cabin.
Pied a Terre (France) – normally a small apartment for use as last
minute accommodation. Frequently business people traveling to a city
often may own a Pied a Terre and rent it out during times of infrequent
usage. They have a reputation as a place for romantic rendezvous as
well.
Igloo (Canada) - a temporary shelters built out of snow blocks being
stacked and forming a dome. Because an Igloo can be made wherever
the appropriate conditions exist, common uses include for a traveler or
as a base for a hunting party.
Qunizhee (Canada, Nordic Countries) - a snow house made by
hollowing out a pile of snow. After the pile has set for sometime the
exterior is a hard shell. Reinforcing the shell by spraying water on the
exterior extends the life of the shelter.
Turbaza (Russia) – a rustic and spartan camp from the days of the
Soviet era. Typically lacking indoor plumbing, sporting communal
eating places and very basic accommodations they are somewhat like
a base camp. They are frequently rented by groups or companies and
shed a glimpse into the typical Russian holiday. Fishing and nature
activities are usually abound.
Dormitories (International) – large rooms providing sleeping
quarters for a number of people. Very little privacy should be expected
and dormitories are commonly found in Hostels or Universities.
Palace – usually the residence of a high ranking dignitary. The word
has it's roots in Roman and Egyptian civilizations. Normally, you would
be a guest and accommodation is not open to the public.
Castle (International) – historically a fortified location for people
of
distinction and a place of refuge for the a nobleperson. As imagined,
they are large and imposing houses protected by walls and moats.
Most commonly today in the possession of royalty or on display as a
museum.
Tree House (Brazil, International) – common in tropical locations
(or the occasional backyard) tree houses are built to limit exposure to
dangers such as wildlife or natural conditions such as heavy rain. They
are built in and around the branches of trees typically using wood but
recent use of environmentally friendly materials is being experimented
with.
Log Cabin (Canada, United States, Scandinavia, others) – as
expected, this is a cabin made of tree logs. Generally set on a lake or
in the woods, Log Cabins can be used for a vacation, as a hunting
location as many lodges consist of log cabin accommodations, or even
as a house in a city. Rustic but incredibly cozy, log cabins will vary in
cost, style and amenities.
Tepee, Teepee, or Tipi (Canada & United States) – a conical tent
built typically by stretching deer hide, woven rush mats or sheets of
bark around several long branches or wooden poles interlocked at the
top. They are the dwelling most associated with the aboriginal people
of Canada and the United States.
Wigwam – see Tepee.
Holiday Resort – see Resort.
Resort (International) – popular for vacations or recreation, resorts
typically offer much more than simply accommodations. Location plays
a role in establishing a resort and examples include ski resorts or
beach resorts. Activities associated with the located are usually
offered and many times resorts are all inclusive, one price covers
everything. Accommodations within resorts can vary from condos to
cabanas, to hotel rooms and vacation houses. Resort choices are a
personal preference.
Resort Hotel – see resort.
Hotel California – the name of an "Eagles" song!
Fleabag – a rundown hotel.
Dude Ranch (North America) – a ranch is set on large tracts of land
usually with large herds of cattle, sheep or horses but sometimes
crops as well. A dude ranch charges a fee to help participate in the
operation of the ranch and experience life from a different perspective.
Gites (French) – literally translated it means "stopping place". Gites
are a simple vacation retreat usually found in France. Generally
inexpensive.
Farm Stay (New Zealand) – generally a rural location and perhaps
similar to a North American dude ranch except you may get to help
harvest kiwis!
Albergo (Italy) – A hotel in Italian. There is a quite a range in
quality
and price as you would expect with hotels anywhere.
Lean-to (International) – commonly seen as a temporary structure
providing shelter from the elements. There are historical examples
throughout various cultures as lean-tos have been used to cover
external staircases sometimes in history. Lean-tos are constructed by
fastening some sort of material to a structure at a height while
bringing the far edge to the ground.
Laavu (Finland) – see Lean-to and or wilderness hut.
Appentis (French) – see Lean-to.
Sobradillo (Spanish) – see Lean-to.
Shutzdach (German) – see Lean-to.
Popular Derivatives
Internet "Hotel" (International) – a business providing server and
internet facilities for other businesses. Not recommended for the weary
traveler!
Telecom "Hotel" (International) – a building built or reconstructed
for datacenters. Sometimes referred to as a datacenter or carrier
center, they can house hundreds or thousands of web servers for web
hosting organizations or large corporations. No beds or breakfasts
here.
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