Most UK hotel guests are on leisure breaks

Leisure is still the most popular use for the UK's hotels, according to a new report from market analysts Mintel.

Mintel's survey of almost 2,000 people found that 34% of consumers had stayed in a hotel for leisure purposes last year, while only 10% said they had used a hotel for business. Short breaks were the most popular reason for a stay (18%).

Londoners were the least likely to use hotels for leisure purposes, with just 30% of capital dwellers saying they had stayed in a UK hotel on holiday this year.

People with no children were most likely to use hotels for leisure breaks (47%), while only 27% of retired couples had stayed in a hotel over the past year.

Respondents were also asked about the facilities they expected in a hotel. Tea and coffee-making facilities were the top response from leisure guests, while business travellers preferred a TV in their room. Having a range of restaurants and a bar also got an above-average response from business and leisure guests.

Some 41% of respondents agreed that they expected to find toiletries in their room, while having additional facilities such as a hairdryer or trouser press were expected by 44% of business guests and 40% of leisure guests.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 16 September 2004