Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Difference between pension and hotel?

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)

- Europe (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/)

- - Difference between pension and hotel? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/difference-between-pension-and-hotel-268833/)

Difference between pension and hotel?

I'm a bit confused by this. I am typically a three-star or low four-star hotel patron. When I search on some of the engines, four-star pensions come up occasionally. I'm sure there is an elemental difference that might be covered by definition (like the 3* hotels who can never be 4* until they get an elevator..) Thanks in advance!

I'm not sure on this myself, but I think it depends on which country you are talking about, for one thing. Also, some of it is just custom, I think. For example, you don't have pensions in France, they don't use that term (at least, very rarely, the only pensions I've heard of are strictly longer-term residences and some meals are included--they aren't for regular tourists). I don't think they have such a think in the UK, either. I've only heard of them in Austria, central/eastern Europe and Italy. I'm not familiar with Spain, I think they may be there, also. The only thing I know of is that they are typically family-run and don't have the same kinds of services that hotels do, and are usually a sole establishment. That isn't really saying something definitive because certain hotels are family-run, also, and some management or owners may own a couple of small, independent hotels and I've seen the same thing of Pensions, also. I know in Vienna there is one company that owns several pensions, for example. Also, small 1-2* hotels won't have elevators, either, at least not often, and I've stayed in a pension in Vienna on a couple floors that did have an elevator, anyway. It also had the same kind of services that I would expect of a 2-star hotel (breakfast room, help with directions or reservations, etc.) I do know that the standards are lower in the rating system, at least in Austria -- I've read about one star lower than the rating (eg, a 4* pension is about the level of a 3* hotel). The only thing that was unusual about the pension I stayed at in Vienna, in comparison to a hotel, is that you had your own key to the building (even in day time) because it took up a couple floors in an older building that also had some apartments or offices, I guess. That's the kind of thing you won't find for a hotel (occupying a few floors in a building with other businesses) and is the only difference I could describe that was unique. So, from my point of view, I don't think there is one elemental difference. There are probably other pensions that have their own building and entrance, also, just like hotels. So, from my point of view, I can't think of anything that is any elemental difference.

I am always confused about this issue as well, so have typically avoided them rather than take a chance. Are they generally cheaper in price? Is there a certain traveler they are best suited for? That was a nice explanation, Christina.

In Germany, where the word Pension is often used to describe an establishment, the general concensus is that it's family-run, with little in the way of public rooms except perhaps a guest lounge and a garden, but larger and more commercially run than a Fremden- or Privatzimmer (B&B). Traditionally a Pension offered meals with accommodation (hence the descriptions Vollpension and Halbpension), but nowadays many simply offer breakfast only, in which case they are called Frühstück-Pension. Price-wise they fall between hotels and B&Bs. Pension is perhaps more suitable for a longer stay than a B&B and many offer larger rooms for families. In the country areas, the distinction beween Pension and other type of simple accommodation like an inn (Gasthaus) is blurred. In popular holiday areas, it's quite common to find a Pension that is very well equipped with sauna, indoor pool and so on.

I am not 100% sure but I think that Pension applys to an stablishement where you have the meals included.

In the 70s 'Europe on $5 per day', all of the recomendations were in 'Pensions' whereas today they are in 3* hotels. I think there has been a demographic shift in both travellers and hotels.

Gee, thanks for saying it was a nice explanation, as I am not sure and was just thinking of a lot of things I noticed. I know a pension is not necessarily a place that has meals included, as many don't that(except perhaps breakfast). Perhaps that's true in some countries. I think in Vienna they are competitive with hotels and some are very nice (although you'll never get anything really deluxe). Generally, they are cheaper than hotels, but not always--I guess the price I paid for a 4* pension would be on the lower side of a 3* hotel's price. I think I booked one in Vienna because I did a lot of research and understood they were fairly common there and recommended in many guidebooks, and there wasn't a good hotel where I wanted to stay. I do think things could be a little different than one expected, perhaps more than a hotel. For example, I wasn't crazy about having to carry a key around to this pension and figure out the scenario of events to get in the door. I think someone who really wants hotel-type services (business services, a good concierge) would not want a pension; definitely not if you wanted an in-house bar or restaurant. I doubt if they often have some common hotel amenities, like minibars, although some may. Also, I don't think you could call anyone at the desk if you had problems or a question at night at the one I stayed at (I don't even remember if it had a phone or not in the room). I would probably not book one in a city where they weren't rated at all (they are officially rated in Vienna) as I think sometimes they look like places that just don't want to live up to certain standards and I imagine there is more flexibility when they are a pension. Alec gave a good description of them in Germany, I'll be interested if someone gives a description of what it means in Italy and Spain. There are some in the Czech Republic, also, and Poland, but I didn't stay in them. They may be more like the ones in Germany -- they were often called "guest houses" and sometimes were more like budget apartments (maybe with a kitchenette and more space).

Hi Cristina, you 'll be surprised about pensiones and bars, it has come to my mind the famous Pensione Texas in Rome. It did have a charming little bar, with a fire place. It was a lovely spot to meet other guests specially during cold winter days when the sun sets early. I guess this kind of Pensiones where different from the classic Pensione that I believe means they offer meals. No meals in the Texas but lots of charm...( this was long ago probably in the 70...)

I've had no qualms about staying in Pensions and as they're usualy cheaper than hotels, I tend to favour them. I probably regard them as commercial B&B or an Inn. Pensions like Hotels, vary from country to country in classification and I've lost confidence in the methods of classifications after having been into 5-star establishments which (to me) weren't up to the 5-star scratch etc.. So now, I will usually hunt up recommendations or reviews (if they exist) for specific lodgings. And on the net (where most of my bookings take place), I usually prefer to book somewhere where the pictures of rooms are displayed. But having been into many many pensions, I have no more worries about them than hotels. Usually if one is regulated, so is the other. -Brownie.