RATES AND MEAL PLAN

RATES AND MEAL PLAN

1. Rack Rates Rack rates are normal room rates. It is based on

the category of the room, type of bedding and

occupancy. Unless specified, guests are quoted

the rack rates and are charged for the same.

2. Group and Tour Rates

Group and Tour rates are a discounted room rate

for an organisation, which has blocked a large

number of rooms. Most hotels have group rates

that are lower than the rack rates. This rate is

generally extended to a trade association or

fraternal organisation that has scheduled a

meeting, seminar or conference at the hotel.

Discounts are also offered to a tour operator, in

return for a commitment to purchase a minimum

number of rooms over a given period of time.

They are usually regular customers for the hotel.

3. Special and Promotional Rates

Special and promotional rates are offered to

corporate travellers, traveling sales

representatives, military personnel, airlines staff

or other regular clients. Some times special rates

are also offered along with an advertising

campaign or to promote the hotel during lean

periods.

4. Package Rates

Package rates are offered to the public along

with other services such as banquet or a ball, or

recreational facilities or a special event. Such a

package normally includes accommodation,

tickets to the concerned event, transportation

from hotel to the venue and back and pick-up

service. Other popular packages offered by

hotels are honeymoon, weekend, Christmas,

New Year or any other special event and sports

activity. The package rate is normally lower than

the combined component or rack rate.

Tariff Based on Room Category

The tariff also varies as per room categories. Every

hospitality establishment has different types of rooms available but

the most common type of rooms available in large hotels are A -

Deluxe (Maximum Rate), B - Superior (Moderate Rate), C - Standard

(Minimum Rate), D - E conomy (Promotional rate). T h e

accommodation is also categorized depending on occupancy rates

charged accordingly. Su - Suite, S - Single occupancy, D - Double

occupancy.

Category Type of Accommodation

1. Deluxe Room

offers the best location in the hotel and offers

best view, highest level of comfort with matching

furnishings and decor. The amenities include a

fully stocked bar or refrigerator and the room has

king or queen beds.

2. Superior Room

is a medium rate room usually located on the

ground floor with a good view and may have a

double king or queen bed.

3. Standard Is a regular room consisting of one or two double

Room beds, a queen bed or two twin beds. They may

not have either a good view or a good location.

4. Economy Room

generally a room reserved for promotional or

discounted rates and may have under sized

beds, small floor plan or a mediocre location.

5. Suite normally consists of two rooms -a living room

and a sleeping room. It may some times also

have a kitchenette or conference room. The

other amenities provided are a stocked bar and

refrigerator.

Tariff Based on Bedding

Besides the variation in the rooms and tariff, the bedding also

normally has following categories. They are K-King-sized bed; QQueen

sized bed, D-Double bed, T-Twin bed and S-Single Bed.

1. King-sized Bed

is the latest style and is equal to two twin beds

side by side. One or two king beds are normally

provided in deluxe rooms or suites.

2. Queen-sized Bed

A queen bed is about 10 to 25% smaller than the

king sized bed, but 25% bigger than the standard

bed. A queen bed may be provided in any

category of rooms, as some hotels do not

distinguish between queen beds and double

beds.

3. Double Bed The standard sized double bed is about 25%

smaller than the queen bed and is provided in

any room category.

4. Twin Bed The twin bed is about half the size of a king bed

and a room normally has two twin beds.

5. Single Bed A single bed may refer to one twin bed or one

bed of any size provided in a room, which is

rented out for single occupancy.

Tariff Based on Special Rates

A number of hotels offer special discounted rates as under:

1. Corporate Rate

This rate is given to corporate travellers, who

normally form the cream of a hotel's occupancy.

To earn this discount, the company may have to

guarantee a minimum number of rooms to be

occupied during a particular period. Some hotels

offer this corporate rate to any business traveller

irrespective of the employer.

2. Government Rate

This rate is normally given to employees of the

government, usually on the basis of a contract

between the government department and the

hotel. Discounted rate may also be given to

government personnel holding a valid ID t o

encourage regular business.

3. Military Rate This is offered to personnel of the armed forces,

either on the basis of a contract or to encourage

repeat business.

4. Agent Rate This rate is offered to travel agents and airline

personnel, which may not be valid during the

peak seasons.

5. Salesperson Rate

These rates are mostly offered at motels to

traveling salespersons during the off-season.

6. Local Business Rate

These rates may be offered to preferred

business houses in the local community, which

includes a discount and guaranteed availability.

7. Day Rate This rate is applicable to guests who stay only

during the day without staying overnight.

8. Package Rates

These rates are often offered during the lean

season or as a promotional venture. These

include weekend packages or promotional

packages like a three night’s and two days stay

which include meals and other recreational

facilities.

9. Group and Tour Discount

The hotel, normally offers group and tour

discounts to increase or maintain occupancy

throughout the year in return for a commitment to

purchase a fixed number of rooms.

10. Guaranteed Availability

If a hotel normally has a high occupancy rate, the

group rate offered may be only guaranteed

availability of a fixed number of rooms, without

offering a discount.

 Tariff Based on Meal Plan

The meal plans are usually of five types.

1. European Plan

Under this plan the room rate charged does not

include any meals, which must be purchased

separately.

2. American Plan

This has two types:

Full American Plan – under this plan the room

rates include all three meals, but exclude

beverages, which must be purchased separately.

Modified American Plan - Here the room rate

includes two meals (normally continental

breakfast and dinner), excluding alcoholic

beverages, which must be purchased separately.

3. Continental Plan

Under this, room rate includes continental

breakfast.

4. Bed And Breakfast  Plan

Under this plan, the room rate includes a full

breakfas