Times have changed since the standards of food, cleanliness and customer service in British hotels were a standing joke. Today, both budget and luxury hotels are likely to feature clean, comfortable rooms, good catering, and helpful staff, whether they consist of just a few rooms in an older building or hundreds in a purpose built block. A hotel may simply be a convenient place to stop and sleep during a journey, or a destination in its own right. For the former, the emphasis is on low prices and 24 hour service for meals, checkin and checkout. For the latter, personal service and individual touches help to make guests feel special.