Hotel Terms

Your Comprehensive Guide to Hospitality & Hotel Terms and Definitions

Welcome to our Hotel Terminology page, your ultimate resource for understanding the language of the hospitality industry.

Whether you’re a seasoned hotelier, a budding hospitality professional, or someone keen to learn more about the industry, this guide is designed to demystify the terms and jargon integral to hotel operations and management.

In the dynamic world of hospitality, precise communication is key. From acronyms like ADR (Average Daily Rate) and RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) to specific roles such as GM (General Manager) and FOH (Front of House), our glossary provides clear, concise definitions that help bridge knowledge gaps. Understanding these terms is essential for efficient operations, effective communication, and enhanced guest experiences.

Our comprehensive list includes room types, booking procedures, financial metrics, service standards, and technology solutions. By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you can navigate industry reports, enhance your professional vocabulary, and gain a deeper insight into hotels’ operational nuances.

Explore the ever-evolving lexicon of hospitality with our easy-to-navigate glossary. Each term is meticulously defined and contextually explained to ensure clarity and relevance. Bookmark this page as your go-to reference for all things hospitality, and stay updated with the latest additions and industry developments. With this resource at your fingertips, you’ll be well-equipped to excel in the vibrant and diverse world of hospitality.

Hospitality & Hotel Terms and Definitions

Hotel Allocation

The number of rooms a hotel has available to be sold ...

Hotel Brand

What is a hotel brand? A hotel brand is referred to as the hotel chain (such as Holiday Inn, or Hilton) that a hotel joins with. A hotel can change their brand (i.e. switch from a Hilton to a Holiday ...

Hotel Cut Off Days

What does hotel cut off days mean? Cut Off Days (or sometimes also called Cut Off Hours or Cut Off Date) allows inventory to be closed out, or appear unavailable to the customer, starting at a certain number of days ...

CTD – Closed To Departure

What does CTD or Closed To Departure mean? When CTD aka “closed to departure” is set for a date, a guest can not book this date if their stay ends on this date. If their stay includes this date, but ...

CTA – Closed to Arrival

What does CTA or Closed to Arrival mean? When CTA aka "closed to arrival" is set for a date, a guest can not book this date if their stay begins on this date. If their stay includes this date, but ...

Hotel Distribution Channel

What is a hotel distribution channel? A hotel distribution channel is an intermediary or company that creates the reservation on behalf of the hotel. Another way to look at a channel is a specific stream of booking revenue for a ...

Hotel Extranet

What is a hotel extranet? The "front end" of a hotel sales website (i.e. Expedia.com or Booking.com) displays the hotel's information to allow guests to book stays with the hotel. The hotel extranet is the "back end" of a hotel ...

GDS – Global Distribution System

Test here ...

Max Nights, Max LOS, Maximum Length of Stay

What does hotel max nights (aka max los, or maximum length of stay) mean? TL;DR Max LOS, also referred to as "maximum nights on arrival," activates on the arrival date of the guest’s stay. For instance, let’s consider the 10th ...

Hotel Min Nights, MLOS, Minimum Length of Stay

What does hotel min nights (aka MLOS, or minimum length of stay) mean? A minimum length of stay restriction only shows the stay as bookable if the stay is equal to or greater than the minimum nights setting. If the ...

Hotel Markup & Margin

What does hotel margin or hotel markup mean? Hotel markup and margin are terms used to calculate how much a sales website collects as their fee from booking one of your hotel's room nights. These two can be a little ...

Hotel Net Rate

What does hotel net rate mean? Understanding Hotel Net Rates Hotel net rates are essentially the rates offered to OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) or other booking channels excluding any commission. This rate is often negotiated between the hotel and the ...

Hotel Rate Parity

Understanding Hotel Rate Parity: What Does It Mean? Introduction In the competitive world of hospitality, hoteliers are constantly seeking strategies to maximize revenue and maintain a strong market presence. One such strategy that has become increasingly important is hotel rate ...

Hotel Stop Sell

What Does Hotel Stop Sell Mean? A Comprehensive Guide Managing room inventory effectively is crucial for hotels, especially during high-demand periods. One of the tools that hoteliers use to manage inventory is the "Stop Sell" feature. But what exactly does ...

Hotel Sell Rate

What does hotel sell rate mean? When your hotel's room nights are sold via one of your distribution channels, the amount the guest has to pay for your hotel's room night is the sell rate ...

What is a Hotel Wholesaler?

Understanding the Role of a Hotel Wholesaler in the Hospitality Industry The hospitality industry is a vast, complex network of businesses, services, and professionals. Among these, the role of a hotel wholesaler is crucial yet often overlooked. In this blog ...

What Does a Hotel PMS or Property Management System Mean?

In this dynamic hospitality industry, hotel operating systems have become a critical tool to conduct daily operations with ease. Among these systems, hotel software is a core module that lines up everything from reservations to guest services. With the automation ...