Confused Between Hotels, Resorts & Homestays? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

I was shocked to discover just how different resorts, hotels, and homestays really are—especially when it comes to services, locations, food, rooms, and hospitality. I bet many of you are just as confused when planning your trips! I used to think all these accommodations were basically the same. And when it came time to choose between a hotel, homestay, or resort for a trip with friends, family, or even solo, I was totally lost. It took me several trips (and a lot of trial and error) to truly get the difference based on real-life experiences.

Are you facing similar dilemmas that are ruining your travel experience? Don’t worry—today, I’m here to break it all down for you so you can plan the perfect trip next time. By the end, you’ll know exactly which type of stay is best for your upcoming adventure. Plus, I’ll share some insider tips and tricks to help you book your stay and make your vacation unforgettable.

As we all know, hotels are spaces where we pay to stay when we are on vacation or travelling. We expect basic amenities like a clean room, standard-quality food, and good customer service, which means that hotels are primarily for convenience. We should choose this kind of accommodation when we just need comfort and a private space to relax during our stays. Resorts are simply a better and more luxurious version of hotels, where you can say the place itself is a destination. You need not explore the hot spots of the location and can relax as well as take advantage of many services like entertainment, events, pools, spas, and so on, apart from having rooms to stay. If this is what you want, then you should definitely go for resorts. A homestay, on the other hand, means staying at a residence of local people, so you are hosted by the family of that place during your trip. I think this is where I got more fascinated because imagine staying at your friend’s place and getting a homely environment throughout your trip. Warm and caring hosts serving home-cooked local food—that’s exactly what comes to mind when I think of homestays. Imagine being surrounded by scenic beauty, sipping chai, and chatting with the hosts about their culture and places to visit. That is basically what you get when you choose a homestay. Depending on what you want your trip to be, you can choose the type of accommodation. Whether you want an authentic and local experience, luxury, or convenience. Let me simplify it for you so that your next trip will be perfect.

Hotels

Hotels are one of the accommodations that are commonly chosen by people travelling anywhere around the world. Simply put, a hotel is a commercial space that offers lodging, meals, and other services. Here, you get standard-quality Indian food, but it may also include international cuisines. There are several kinds of hotels, which are often classified by a rating system. They range from one star to five stars, where the service quality and amenities increase gradually. One-star hotels provide basic amenities, while 5-star ones can offer top-tier and high-quality services and facilities. To receive such services, you first need to book a room and then check in within the specified time so that you can get the basic facilities. If you’ve ever wondered how hotels manage multiple rooms, the secret is simple: teamwork. The management and the staff, including housekeeping, catering, room service, and the front desk, work together to provide you with all the mentioned facilities and even provide you with 24-hour customised services. Including free Wi-Fi, TV, parking, daily housekeeping, dining, and laundry, among others. Now, if you are wondering how to choose a perfect hotel for your trip, with so many options available. You can do so based on urgency, budget, or kind of trip, whether it’s a honeymoon, casual getaway, family vacation, or business trip. You just need to specify your purpose and mention your preferences.

Resorts

Resorts are destinations designed to offer a complete experience to visitors within the premises. You can find resorts in scenic locations, so you can expect a wholesome and luxurious experience during your stay. Even though resorts work similarly to a hotel, where you need to book a room for your stay, you’re definitely in for a treat if you choose one. One thing you need to keep in mind while booking a room in such accommodations is to carefully choose your package to make the most of all the services offered. Some resorts organise cultural events and cooking classes, along with offering spa and gym facilities. In terms of food, they offer a wide range of choices through multi-cuisine restaurants with buffets and private dining facilities. They not only offer local cuisine but also popular international cuisines like Italian, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. So in many ways, resorts function like hotels; it’s the coordination and care of the staff that brings the whole experience together. Still wondering what to choose? Let me help you out. If you want to have a relaxed and luxurious experience during your stay and don’t necessarily want to go out, then this is it. This kind of accommodation is best for a romantic trip, a honeymoon, or an anniversary celebration.

Homestays

Homestays are establishments run by local people where you are considered a guest visiting their home. Some homestays can offer you private rooms, while others may provide a shared space. Either way, you get a personalised and home-like experience in the midst of nature, scenic beauty, and peace because you often find homestays in offbeat locations, towns, hills, or villages. So, don’t be amazed if you’re offered a cottage or an entire house to stay in. The key point of a homestay is to experience the lifestyle, culture, and food of the local people. Imagine the experience you are about to have during your stay. You can book a homestay through various websites, and upon your arrival, you get a warm welcome from your host family. Don’t be amazed if you feel that you have become one of the family members of the family you are staying with. You often end up building a good relationship with them. If you ask, you can also get helpful suggestions for your trip. And here’s the best part: after a long day of exploring, you come home to freshly cooked local food. I have noticed that some of the homestays even use resources from their gardens or local markets, which means that the ingredients used are fresh, healthy, and organic. In the hills of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Sikkim, you can have the opportunity to taste their local food, such as momo, thukpa, and chowmin. Even though you can get these dishes anywhere in India, there is some kind of local touch to them. One of the local foods I liked while visiting these places was Gundruk, a fermented dish made from green vegetables. I also had the chance to try makai bhaat, which is maize rice, and churpi, which is a local cheese. Other items that I tasted include Sel Roti (a sweet dish made out of rice flour), local tea (especially Darjeeling tea), Aloo Dum, and various kinds of authentic achar (pickles), some of which were very unique, like bamboo shoot pickle and Gundruk pickle. Can you imagine looking at the beauty of the hills and eating food that is thoughtfully put together by the hosts of the homestay? While visiting these places, you can also support local cultures and share meaningful moments with these communities. The diverse cultures you can experience in these areas are Rai, Limbu, Tamang, Sherpa, Bhutia, and Lepcha, among others. During my stays, many of the hosts have even blessed me and invited me to return with their eyes filled with emotions. Honestly, I feel so connected with them that I often end up making new friends and family away from home.

Concluding my thoughts and experiences, I can definitely say that hotels and resorts are quite similar and offer only a few different services. But if you’re looking for something really unique and special, go for homestays. From home-cooked food to heartfelt conversations with your hosts, homestays let you experience destinations in a more meaningful and personal way. Suggesting from my own experience, consider trading your usual bookings for a homely welcome on your next trip. Believe me, you won’t regret it.