Property Type & Category
Comprehensive guide to property type classifications in the Ripe platform.
Property Types & Categories
Ripe classifies every property using a simple two-level model: a Type and a Category. Together, they tell travelers & agents what kind of stay to expect and power how properties are filtered, displayed, and booked across the platform.
We have set these standards in place to best support prospective travelers browsing your site and standards which are in place by Google for clean metadata that is referenced and better index for search engines, LLMs and agentic discovery.
How Classification Works
| Level | What It Defines | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Type | The broad accommodation model: how the property is structured and operated | Every property has exactly one Type |
| Category | The specific style or format of the property within its Type | Every property has exactly one Category, and it must belong to its Type |
There are only three Types:
- Hotel: Properties with individually booked rooms or units operated as a hospitality business, typically with on-site staff and guest services.
- Vacation Rental: Self-contained homes or units rented in their entirety, typically with a kitchen, living space, and self-service check-in.
- Outdoor Lodging: Sites and accommodations centered on the outdoors, from tent and RV sites to properties on the water.
Type always comes first. Once the Type is set, the Category is selected from that Type's list only. For example, a Cabin is always a Vacation Rental, and a Motel is always a Hotel.
Types and Their Categories
Hotels offer rooms or suites booked individually, with a service model run by an on-site operator. Categories range from budget-friendly roadside stays to full-service resorts.
Hotels located at or near an airport, built around convenience for flyers, layovers, and early departures.
Resorts where lodging, dining, drinks, and many activities are bundled into a single rate.
Small, often owner-operated properties with a limited number of rooms and breakfast included.
Smaller, design-forward hotels with a distinct personality and a more personal guest experience.
Hotels paired with an on-site casino, typically alongside dining and entertainment venues.
Individually owned condo units operated and rented through a hotel-style management program, with front desk and hotel services.
Hotels built or operated around sustainability practices and a lower environmental footprint.
Budget-focused hotels offering clean, simple rooms with essential amenities.
Hotels designed for longer visits, typically with in-room kitchens and weekly or monthly rates.
Hotels located in historically significant buildings or with a notable heritage.
Budget lodging with shared dorm-style rooms and communal spaces, often with some private room options.
Traditional hotels with private rooms, front desk services, and standard on-site amenities.
Smaller, often independently operated properties with a cozy, local character.
Rustic-style hotels, often in mountain, park, or resort settings, with shared common areas.
Upscale hotels with premium rooms, elevated service, and high-end amenities.
Roadside properties with exterior room entrances and parking steps from the door.
Destination hotels with extensive on-site recreation, dining, and leisure amenities.
Hotel properties that don't fit a listed category.
Vacation Rentals are entire homes or units booked for exclusive use. They offer more space and home-style amenities, such as full kitchens and private living areas.
A private unit within a residential building, suited for city stays and longer visits.
A standalone, often rustic home in a natural or mountain setting.
A self-contained unit in a larger complex, often with shared amenities like a pool, gym, or parking.
A smaller, charming standalone home, often in a lakeside, coastal, or countryside setting.
A full residential home with multiple bedrooms, living spaces, and private outdoor areas.
A multi-level home that shares walls with neighboring units, typically with a private entrance.
Vacation rental properties that don't fit a listed category.
Outdoor Lodging covers accommodations where the setting is the experience, from campsites and RV hookups to stays on the water.
Outdoor sites for tents and camping, often with shared restrooms, showers, and fire pits.
A floating accommodation on a lake or river, combining lodging with time on the water.
Sites built for RVs and trailers, typically with electric, water, and sewer hookups.
Common Classification Questions
What's the difference between a Condominium Hotel and a Condominium?
A Condominium Hotel (Hotel Type) is operated like a hotel, with a front desk and hotel-style services managing the units. A Condominium (Vacation Rental Type) is rented as a standalone home-style unit, typically without hotel services.
What's the difference between a Lodge and a Cabin?
A Lodge (Hotel Type) is a single property with multiple rooms and shared common areas. A Cabin (Vacation Rental Type) is a standalone unit booked in its entirety.
A property fits more than one category. Which one do we pick?
Choose the category that best describes the primary guest experience. For example, a luxury hotel in a historic building should be classified by whichever trait most defines why guests book it.
When should I use Other?
Only when no listed category reasonably applies. If you find yourself using Other often for similar properties, let us know at [email protected] so we can evaluate adding a new category.
Updated 14 days ago