Resorting to Luxury & Entertainment

Ready for a vacation after the relaxation in long restrictions imposed due to pandemic? As you pack your luggage you contemplate on where to stay: a snazzy downtown hotel or a beach resort? The choice between hotels and resorts can be confusing. There are several differences between a hotel and a resort. Ashok Malkani examines not only the dissimilarities between hotels and resorts on various fronts like location, amenities, entertainment, et al. but also the trends of all-inclusive resorts and the future of this hospitality segment.

Mention resort and one has visions of grandeur and luxury. Resort, according to the general concept opens up the mind to diversity. Resorts are considered as unforgettable getaways normally in hill stations or by the seaside.

Globally, resorts have been rising by leaps and bounds. This, according to Ms Kalia Konstantinidou, Co-Owner of Kanava Hotels & Resorts, Greece, is “because resorts believe in creating authentic, timeless experiences for the guests, encouraging deeper connections between themselves and the destination, by embracing the culture, rituals and traditions as well as evoking a sense of calm.”

However, according to seasoned tourists and travellers the main difference between resorts and hotels is in the amenities. Hotels cater to travellers who need a place to spend the night at a certain destination, whereas resorts tend to be destinations in themselves. Resorts often have a more spacious layout, offering their guests everything they need in one place.

The popularity of resorts has been on the rise even with the millennials. Online tour operators like MakeMyTrip as well as Thomas Cook India say hill stations in the north are outperforming their southern counterparts with Kashmir, Leh, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand recording 45-50% more occupancy than in 2019. The ones in the south are growing at 25-30%. This is aided by the fact that the pandemic-induced lockdown and travel restrictions over the last two years have fuelled people’s appetite not only for travel and also for non-standard stays.

Resorts are thus reporting favourable response not only from beaches and hill stations but even in metropolitan cities.