luxury/luxurious

[WZ]

What's the difference between "luxury hotel" and "luxurious hotel"?
Pls explain.
Thanks.

[oishii]

Originally Posted by WZ

What's the difference between "luxury hotel" and "luxurious hotel"?
Pls explain.
Thanks.

Hi WZ,

A luxury hotel is one that is usually very exclusive and caters to people of highly discriminating tastes, usually the well-to-do, rich and famous.

The basic meaning of “luxury” being:

1. adj. elegant and sumptuous; "a deluxe car"; "luxe accommodations"; "a luxury condominium"
2. n. wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living; the quality possessed by something that is excessively expensive
3. n. something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
   Source

See these other uses of “luxury” in specific terms such as “luxury good”, “luxury tax” etc.


Luxurious on the other hand, refers more generally to:

• adj. furnishing gratification of the senses as in "an epicurean banquet"; "enjoyed a luxurious suite with a crystal chandelier and thick oriental rugs";
• rich and superior in quality; "a princely sum"; "gilded dining rooms"
• suggestive of or characterized by great expense; "a rich display"

So, any hotel can be luxurious if it has the features noted under “luxurious” such as appearing rich and superior in quality, having fantastic decorations that appeal to all the senses or sumptuous food or so on, although it may not have the designation of being a “luxury hotel” which is a hotel that is usually set apart by its exclusivity (catering to very wealthy clients who expect the best) and its total focus on providing the most luxurious accommodations possible.

In sum, luxurious is a more general term that may be applied to any hotel, while ‘luxury hotel’ is a more specific term that refers to a certain class or type of hotel.

Hope this explanation has helped to clarify the distinction between the two. Take care.