Hotels have long played an important role in the history of travel. They have served as gateways, business centers, and decorative showcases.

Since the mid-nineteenth century, hotels have been linked to traveling. They provide sleeping accommodations, food, and other amenities for travelers. These amenities are often free of charge. Some hotels also offer meeting rooms and other services.

After World War II, the hotel industry became an integral part of the postwar economic recovery. It grew at a tremendous pace. During this period, millions of Americans took their first paid vacations.

Hotel rates continue to rise due to pent up demand. Prices rose 8.6 percent in 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Choosing the right hotel for your trip can make or break the experience.

The hotel industry in America has exploded in the past decade. It has grown from a fraction of the total travel industry to a significant one.

Hotels have become important symbols of American capitalism. They have helped transform traveling into a social activity. In recent decades, they have been implicated in international politics.

During the early twentieth century, hotels were located along coastal trade routes. Later, they began to pop up in major cities. During the Fordist mass production era, they were standardized to create a uniform lodging.

After World War II, the development of passenger aircraft made traveling easier. Hotels also helped increase the ease and affordability of long-distance travel.

In the postwar era, hotels became a hot political issue. Politicians often gave speeches from their hotel windows, and hotels became an essential part of domestic politics.