Lodging is the general term for all types of accommodation used by travellers or transients. It refers to temporary shelter; thus, anything that offers place to sleep or rest may be considered lodging. Lodging is the umbrella term for hotel, hostel, bed and breakfast, guest house, vacation house, tent, airline, train, and camper, as well as the residences of friends and relatives that are open for guests. To some degree, lodging establishments overlap in terms of functions and features.

Since sleeping or resting can be done by lying, sitting, or reclining, lodging becomes all the more all-inclusive. Some forms of lodging provide adequate shelter from outdoor climate, some storage for luggage, and others access to household functions. Several forms of lodging offer lavish services and amenities, making a traveller’s stay even more comfortable and memorable.