Resort

"Summer resort" redirects here. For a children's summer holiday resort, seesummer camp.For summer resorts in Canada, seecottage country.For other uses, seeResort (disambiguation).

Aresort(North American English) is a self-contained commercial establishment that aims to provide most of avacationer's needs. This includes food, drink, swimming, accommodation, sports, entertainment and shopping, on the premises. Ahotelis frequently a central feature of a resort and the termresortmay be used for a hotel that provides an array of entertainment and recreational activities. Some resorts are alsocondominiumcomplexes that offer timeshares or fractional ownership, in addition to wholly owned condominiums. A resort is not always a commercial establishment operated by a single company, but in the late 20th century, that sort of facility became more common.

Resorts combine a hotel and a variety of recreations, such asswimming pools,as shown here in San Diego, California

Kayakingprovided by a lakeside resort inJasper, Alberta

InBritish English,"resort" means a town which people visit for holidays and day trips, typically containing hotels where holidaymakers stay. Examples of such towns includeBlackpoolandBrighton.

Amusement resort

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

Universal Beijing Resort

Adestination resortis a resort that itself contains the necessary guest attraction capabilities so it does not need to be near a destination (town, historic site, theme park, or other) to attract its patrons. A commercial establishment at a resort destination such as a recreational area, a scenic or historic site,amusement park,a gaming facility, or other tourist attraction may compete with other businesses at a destination. Consequently, another quality of a destination resort is that it offers food, drink, lodging, sports, entertainment, and shopping within the facility so that guests have no need to leave the facility throughout their stay. Commonly, the facilities are of higher quality than would be expected if one were to stay at a hotel or eat in a town's restaurants. Some examples are Atlantis in theBahamas;theWalt Disney World Resort,nearOrlando, Florida;Universal Studios HollywoodinSan Fernando Valley,United States;PortAventura World,nearTarragonaon theCosta DauradainSpain;Costa do Sauípe,Northeastern Brazil;Laguna Phuket,ThailandandSun City,nearJohannesburg,South Africa.Closely related to resorts are convention and large meeting sites. Generally, these resorts are located in cities where they offer special meeting halls, ample accommodations, and a variety of dining and entertainment options.

All-inclusive resort

Entrance of an all-inclusive resort inEgypt

Anall-inclusiveresort charges a fixed price that includes most or all items. At a minimum, most inclusive resorts include lodging, unlimited food, drink, sports activities, and entertainment for the fixed price. In recent years, the number of resorts in the United States offering "all-inclusive" amenities has decreased dramatically. In 1961, over half offered such plans, but in 2007, less than a tenth do so.

All-inclusive resorts are found in theCaribbean,particularly inJamaica,Dominican Republic;inEgypt,and elsewhere. Notable examples areClub Med,Sandals Resorts,andBeaches Resorts.

An all-inclusive resort includes three meals daily,soft drinks,mostalcoholic drinks,gratuities,and usually other services in the price. Many also offer sports and other activities included in the price as well. They are often located in warmer regions. The all-inclusive model originated in theClub Medresorts, which were founded by the BelgianGérard Blitz.

Some all-inclusive resorts are designed for specific groups. For example, some resorts cater for adults only, and even more-specialized properties accept couples only. Other all-inclusive resorts are geared toward families, with facilities like craft centers, game rooms, and water parks to keep children of all ages entertained. All-inclusive resorts are also very popular locations for destination weddings.

Boating resort inVijayawada,India

Recreation

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Aspa resortis a short-term residential/lodging facility with the primary purpose of providing individual services for spa goers to develop healthy habits. Historically, many such spas were developed at the location of natural hot springs or sources of mineral waters. Typically over a seven-day stay, such facilities provide a comprehensive program that includes spa services, physical fitness activities, healthy diet programs, and special interest programming.

Golf resorts are resorts that cater specifically to the sport ofgolf,and they include access to one or more golf courses and/or clubhouses. Golf resorts typically provide golf packages that provide visitors with all greens and cart fees, range balls, accommodations, and meals.

A view of a typical ski resort and ski lifts

InNorth America,a ski resort is generally a destination resort in a ski area. The term is less likely to refer to a town or village.

TheLas Vegas Stripin 2009

A megaresort is a type of destination resort of an exceptionally-large size, such as those along theLas Vegas Strip.InSingapore,integrated resortis aeuphemismfor acasino-based destination resort.

Aholiday villageis a type of self-contained resort inEuropewhose accommodation is generally invillas.Aholiday camp,in theUnited Kingdom,refers to a resort whose accommodation is inchaletsorstatic caravans.

Main swimming pool at theShangri-La's Fijian Resort

Aresort hotelcontains full-sized luxury facilities with full-service accommodations andamenities.These hotels may attractvacationingtourists and offer more than a convenient place to stay.

Timeshare

There are more than 1500timeshareresorts in the United States that are operated by major hospitality, timeshare-specific, or independent companies. They represent 198,000 residences and nearly 9 million owners, who pay an average $880 per year in maintenance fees. A reported 16% of the residences becamevacation rentals.

Notable historic resorts

• Baiae,Italy, a famous historic resort of the ancient world that was popular over 2000 years ago.
• Capri,an island nearNaples,Italy,has attracted visitors since Roman times.
• Monte Ne,nearRogers, Arkansas,a famous historic resort which was active in the early 20th century. At its peak, more than 10,000 people a year visited its hotels. Two of its hotels, Missouri Row and Oklahoma Row, were the largest log buildings in the world. Monte Ne closed in the 1930s and was ultimately submerged underBeaver Lakein the 1960s.
• Tawawa House, also known as Tawawa Springs or Xenia Springs, inspiredDolen Perkins-Valdezto write herdebut novel,Wench(2010),when she read about it in an autobiography ofW.E.B. Du Bois.The book mentioned in passing that the land forWilberforce Universityhad once been used for a privately owned resort called Tawawa House, where white slave owners would bring the black slaves that they kept as mistresses.

Resort towns

Towns that are resorts or in whichtourismor vacationing is a major part of the local activity are sometimes calledresort towns.If by the sea, they are calledseaside resorts.Inland resorts includeski resorts,mountain resortsandspa towns.Well-known resort towns includePunta Canain theDominican Republic,BandipurinNepal,BaliinIndonesia,SochiinRussia,Mount Lebanon Tourism inLebanon,BarizoinSpain,Cortina d'Ampezzoin Italy,DruskininkaiinLithuania,Cartagena de IndiasinColombia,CancúninMexico,Newport, Rhode Island,andKey West, Florida,in theUnited States,IschglinAustria,St. MoritzinSwitzerlandandBlackpoolin theUnited Kingdom.

Aresort islandin theMaldives

Aresort islandis an island or an archipelago that contains resorts, hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, and its amenities.Maldivesis considered to have the best island resorts, which have become famous among the top celebrities and sportspersons around the world.

Miami Beachin Florida

Seaside resortsare located on a coast. In the United Kingdom, many seaside towns have turned to other entertainment industries, and some of them have much nightlife. The cinemas and theatres often remain to become host to a number of pubs, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Most of their entertainment facilities cater for both local people and visitors and the beaches still remain popular during the summer months.

Ruka's resort town inKuusamo

In Europe and North America,ski resortsare towns and villages in ski areas, with support services for skiing such as hotels andchalets,equipment rental,ski schoolsandski liftsto access the slopes.

Resorts for different purposes also exist. An example isYulara,Northern Territory,which exists to serveUluru (Ayers Rock)andKata Tjuta (The Olgas)inAustralia.

See also

• Boutique hotel
• Condo hotel
• Destination club
• Resort architecture
• Resort hotel
• Sanatorium (resort)
• Seaside resort
• Spa
• Vacation rental
• Hotels portal