A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis.
The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a
room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been
replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms and
air conditioning or climate control. Additional common features found in hotel
rooms are a telephone, an alarm clock, a television, and Internet connectivity;
snack foods and drinks may be supplied in a mini-bar, and facilities for making
hot drinks. Larger hotels may provide a number of additional guest facilities
such as a restaurant, a swimming pool or childcare, and have conference and
social function services.

Some hotels offer meals as part of a room and board arrangement. In the
United Kingdom, a hotel is required by law to serve food and drinks to all
guests within certain stated hours; to avoid this requirement it is not uncommon
to come across private hotels which are not subject to this requirement.[citation needed]
In Japan, capsule hotels provide a minimized amount of room space and shared facilities.

In Australia, Canada and Ireland, the word may also refer to a pub or bar and
might not offer accommodation. In India, the word may also refer to a restaurant
since the best restaurants were always situated next to a good hotel.