Most of us have a pretty good idea that there are a number of different styles of hotels to be considered when planning a vacation. However, there are some important but subtle differences that are not always obvious to the casual observer. Knowing the differences can help you make a better decision as to how you spend your money and vacation time, and may help you find more attractive hotel deals.

Starting with the simple, there is the motor hotel, or "motel." These became very popular as the national highway system developed in the 1950s and 1960s, as the facilities were usually clean, offered a swimming pool for the kids and often were located near affordable restaurants and freeway offramps. Motels usually have doors that open to the outside, and guests park near their rooms. In more recent years the industry is moving away from this concept as travelers seem to wish for the security of interior corridors and slightly more upscale features.

Next would be the limited service hotels. These typically offer interior entrances and a pool, perhaps a fitness room. Some have meeting rooms and offer a free breakfast; the free food in the morning can result in these being pretty economical hotel deals. They may be affiliated with a brand or may be independent.

The full-service hotel will generally offer everything found at a limited service facility, and is more likely to include the fitness room, a business center where computers are available to guests. It will probably have meeting rooms and maybe a small gift shop. An onsite restaurant is another regular feature. A concierge is typically available to help with dinner plans and other important details.

A bed and breakfast is ideally a charming residence or at least was designed to have a homey feel to it. The operators generally have the gift hospitality and love having guests relaxing with wine and snacks in the afternoon and possibly even dinner. The next morning usually involves what could be a full gourmet breakfast or brunch. Some bed and breakfast facilities offer separate bathrooms but they are often shared. It is unusual to find a B &B with more than a dozen rooms or so. There may not be as many hotel deals on this type of property, but it might be worth a phone call or email to the owner to learn about specials if not shown online.

Towards the top of the range would be the resort hotel. These are usually found at a vacation destination like Southern California, Hawaii, Mexico and a vast number of other places around the world. The usual features of a full-service hotel are common and these are often marketed as convention destinations with large ballrooms as well as the smaller meeting rooms. A gift shop, multiple restaurants, and outdoor activities are hallmarks. Beach-oriented resort hotels will likely employ young people to help with family beach or pool activities and an activities desk can book adventures for guests. These properties often offer online hotel deals or may be included in package travel deals.

The luxury hotel caters to those who demand the highest level of service and the highest quality of facility. These facilities may appeal to people who aren't even looking for hotel deals. Some resort hotels are also luxury hotels. The bellman is expected to greet the visitor under the port cochere and discretely get their name if possible. The guest is introduced to the desk clerk who refers to them by name as they are checked in. Room service is a must, of course. Sometimes little free goodies are offered such as snacks at night. Assistance with local golf or other activities is a common amenity. Of course you pay for what you get, and a luxury hotel room can cost $1,000 per night at many facilities, even if you find travel deals.

There are extended-stay hotels, pet-friendly hotels, even some rather unusual hotels such as ice hotels. The latter are found in Scandinavian countries and in Canada. Hotels (more likely motels) have been built as teepees, a 747 jetliner (Sweden) and treehouses (such as in Masinagudi, India). You can google "unusual hotels of the world" and find out lots more information about the strange ideas people have had about what make for great hotel deals.