Motor hotels or motels cater to the same group of people, but are often situated near or along major highways. Conventions are the most important source of income for some hotels and motels, because they assure a steady income both from sleeping accommodations and from meeting rooms, which are used for conferences and lectures. Dining facilities provide further revenue through the sale of food and beverages. Local residents also use the catering services, meeting rooms, and ballrooms for social functions and business meetings. Resort hotels and motels usually are located in seaside, lake, or mountain areas, and they cater to tourists and vacationers.
Resorts provide all hotel services plus recreational and athletic activities.
The residential hotel caters to permanent residents rather than to travelers. These hotels are similar to apartment buildings except that they provide maid and valet service, and often have dining facilities. Inns have served travelers since ancient times. The emergence of the hotel as a significant commercial institution, however, is a development of the past few centuries. The location of hotels has always been related to the transportation available.