Riads, pousadas, overwater & more: hotel types explained
October 30, 2025 · by Sébastien Joumel
"Hotel" covers everything from a 600-room resort to a four-room family riad. Knowing the lingo helps you book the experience you actually want — and avoid surprises. Here's a quick, practical glossary of the stay types you'll meet in our destinations.
In short
- Character & location: riads, guesthouses, boutique hotels.
- Facilities & ease: resorts, all-inclusives.
- Value & local feel: guesthouses, pousadas, homestays.
Riad
A traditional Moroccan house built around an interior courtyard, usually small and characterful, often with a rooftop terrace. Big on atmosphere and location (in the medina), light on facilities — rarely a pool. Perfect for Essaouira and Morocco generally.
Pousada
A Brazilian (and Portuguese) guesthouse or small inn, ranging from simple to boutique. In places like Jericoacoara, pousadas are the standard — personal, charming and walkable to the action.
Guesthouse / homestay
Small, often family-run lodging — the backbone of value travel in Georgia (Kazbegi), Albania (Gjirokastër) and Nubian Aswan. Expect warm hospitality, home-cooked breakfasts and real local insight, at low prices.
Boutique hotel
A small, design-led hotel (typically under ~50 rooms) with a distinct style and personal service. The sweet spot for travellers who want character and comfort without a giant-resort feel.
Resort
A larger property with extensive facilities — pools, multiple restaurants, spa, activities — often beachfront and somewhat self-contained. Great for relaxing and families; less about local immersion.
All-inclusive resort
A resort where meals, snacks and (usually) drinks are bundled into the price. Best at remote beaches where eating out is impractical. See our full all-inclusive vs B&B guide.
Lodge / eco-lodge
Nature-focused stays — dive lodges in Amed, mountain lodges near Kazbegi or Baños — usually smaller, often with a specialism (diving, hiking, wellness).
Hotel types FAQ
What’s the difference between a guesthouse and a boutique hotel?
A guesthouse is usually simpler and family-run; a boutique hotel is design-led with more polish and service. Both are small and personal.
Do riads and pousadas have pools?
Rarely riads (some have rooftop plunge pools); some pousadas do. For a proper pool, look at resorts or beach hotels.
Find your kind of stay
Compare every type of stay, with live prices, across our destinations on our destinations page.