…And then there are suites, comfort rooms, standard rooms, economy rooms, and even capsule rooms — the choice of room categories is overwhelming. Which is better for a couple, a large family, or a group of friends? We tell you what the differences are between hotel rooms and who they are suitable for.
Contents
- Suite
- Apartment
- Studio
- Suite
- Junior Suite or Junior Suite
- Standard
- Comfort or Deluxe
- Family Room
- Economy
- Shared room
What are the different room categories
There are 10 room categories according to the Russian classification. The highest category includes suites, apartments, studios, deluxe rooms, and junior suites. The other categories are comfort rooms, deluxe rooms, standard rooms, economy rooms, and shared rooms. They differ in size, layout, and equipment, from furniture to appliances.
Suite
- Area: from 75 m².
- Suitable for: large families and companies that value comfort.
Suites are the most spacious rooms in the hotel. These are usually at least three isolated rooms: a bedroom, a living room, a dining room, or a study. A kitchen, a terrace and a guest toilet are often added, in addition to the bathroom.
The interiors of the rooms are often modernly renovated, with designer finishes, high-quality furniture and pleasant details like a Jacuzzi, a safe and panoramic windows. This is increased comfort in every sense. In Russia, there are even options with royal chambers in palaces, but in Europe and Asia, suites are much smaller due to the local peculiarities of housing construction.
On Ostrovok, it’s convenient to filter suites by star rating and number of rooms. All you have to do is choose the luxury you want to wake up in.
Hyatt Regency Moscow Petrovsky Park Hotel. Photo: Ostrovok
Apartments
- Area: from 40 m².
- Who is it suitable for: those who come for a long time and like a home-like atmosphere.
An apartment is almost like an apartment: a separate bedroom, a bathroom with a washing machine, and a kitchen, often combined with a living room. The kitchen has a stove, hood, refrigerator, microwave, and basic cookware. This is a great option for families with children and those who prefer to cook their own meals.
The level of comfort in apartments varies, from minimalist designs with an IKEA charm to business-class accommodations in industrial lofts. They are located both in residential complexes and in aparthotels, which have a reception, cleaning and even breakfasts. Most often they can be found in large cities – for example, in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
On Ostrovok, look for them through the filters “Apartments” or “Apart-hotel”. You can immediately choose a variant with a kitchen and read reviews.
On Ostrovok, you can use the “Apartments” and “Kitchen” filters.
Studio
- Area: from 25 m².
- Who is it suitable for: solo travelers or long-term couples.
There’s also a kitchen, but the studio is more compact: the bedroom, living area, and kitchenette are all combined into one space. The space is smaller, but everything is within easy reach. The bathroom may have a washing machine, although it’s not a mandatory feature.
The decor can vary from standard city-style options to cozy designs with a touch of creativity. Studios are often found in the heart of major cities, especially in areas where historical buildings limit the expansion of large apartment complexes. This type of accommodation is very popular among expats and business travelers in Europe and North America.
Intermark Residence Aparthotel. Photo: Island
Suite
Area: from 35 m².
Who is it for: those who want comfort, but without extra space.
Suite rooms are similar to a smaller suite or apartment. The main difference is that there is no kitchen, but instead there is a small refrigerator, kettle, and minibar. The rooms include a bedroom, a living room with a work area, and a bathroom. Many rooms have expensive furniture, a spa bath, a terrace, or a view balcony.
Suites can be found in hotels around the world, and their size, interior, and amenities vary depending on the country and the hotel’s star rating. Some suites are so luxurious that they are even used by celebrities.
Aquamarine. Photo: Island
Junior Suite or Junior Junior Suite
Area: from 25 m².
Who is it for: those who want comfort but don’t want to overpay for a suite.
Despite the name Junior Suite, these rooms are often referred to as Junior Junior Suites. Unlike the suite, the bedroom is not isolated. The living room and study areas are separated, but they are locatedin one room. There won’t be a kitchenette like in a studio, but there’s usually a minibar, refrigerator, and tea set.
Junior suites are found in hotels all over the world, and their layout and amenities depend on the hotel’s level. It’s a good choice if you want more comfort and coziness without going overboard.
Pentahotel Moscow, Arbat. Photo: Ostrovok
How to find out the room category at Ostrovok
Pay attention to the room names — many of them correspond to the categories in this article. The description will include the area, bed type, and additional amenities. You can use the filters to select whether you need a kitchen, private bathroom, balcony, or air conditioning. All options are easily accessible at Ostrovok.
Standard
Area: from 16 m².
Who is it suitable for: those who are looking for basic comfort without overpayments.
Standard is the most popular room all over the world. It can be a single room (single), a double room with one bed (double), or a twin room with two beds (twin). This room is required to have: a private bathroom, a window, a wardrobe, a table, and an armchair. Sometimes a balcony, a kettle, and a mini-fridge are added at the hotel’s discretion. In Russia, these rooms belong to the first category and are suitable for most travelers.
Holiday Hotel Tagansky. Photo: Ostrovok
Comfort or Deluxe
Area: from 16 m².
Who is it for: for those who want a little more comfort than the standard.
The improved rooms (also known as comfort or deluxe rooms) are the same size as the standard rooms and also belong to the first category, with a mandatory separate bathroom. But they often offer a little more comfort: a balcony, panoramic windows, a massage chair or a sofa. Instead of single beds, there may be double queen or maximally wide king size. Everything else is at the discretion of the hotelier, so carefully read the description before booking.
Arium Hotel. Photo: Ostrovok
Life hacks for choosing accommodation
Interesting hotels, unusual rooms, and the best places to stay in Russia and beyond — look for them in the “O! Accommodation” section.
Family room
Area: from 25 m².
Suitable for: large families or groups of friends.
A family room is usually designed for 3-4 people. The room is equipped with basic amenities, but the configuration of the beds can vary from double to bunk beds. These rooms are available in the economy and comfort categories, and their size and amenities depend on the category.
Family rooms are particularly popular in all-inclusive hotels, ski resorts, beach resorts, and amusement parks for families with children.
You can find a family room on Ostrovok using the filters for the number of guests and “Suitable for children”.
Cosmos Selection Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport Hotel. Photo: Island
Economy
Area: from 10 m².
Who is it suitable for: budget travelers.
Economy rooms belong to the second category with simplified conditions. The main difference is that there is no private bathroom: the facilities may be shared on the floor or between several rooms.
Otherwise, everything depends on the hotel’s economy: the room may have a small amount of furniture, no window, a kettle, and a refrigerator. Such rooms are usually located in attic or basement floors.
Economy is a common option around the world, from hostels to low-cost chain hotels. However, you can still save money while enjoying comfort, such as in these discounted hotels in St. Petersburg.
Skypoint Hotel. Photo: Ostrovok
Shared Room
Area: from 4 m².
Suitable for: very budget-conscious travelers.
The remaining categories from third to fifth are shared rooms, such as those found in hostels. These rooms have multiple beds for different guests. The bathroom will be shared for the room or for the entire floor. Sometimes there are storage rooms or under-bed luggage boxes. The kitchen, dining room, and recreation area are also shared for all guests. On average, there is 4-6 m² per person.
If you want to save money and maintain basic comfort and privacy even in shared rooms, there are capsule hostels. A capsule is a separate sleeping area with a personal light, storage space, and a lockable door. This format originated in Japan and is now spreading worldwide.
TimeLapse Hostel. Photo: Ostrovok
We’ve sorted out the room categories, making it even easier to choose accommodation in Ostrovok.
Cover photo: Ostrovok
