luxury & luxurious

[thedaffodils]

Hello!

Could you please tell me how I use 'luxury' and 'luxurious' properly? Thanks!

I read a piece of news from the CNN. And I found the phrase 'luxury hotel' there. I would write 'luxurious hotel' because there should be adjective but not a noun to qualify 'hotel'. Is the expression 'luxurious hotel' wrong grammatically?

Special forces are trying to find gunmen thought to be holed up in two luxury hotels in Mumbai, killing one during the overnight search more than a day after 125 people were reported killed in coordinated attacks. Explosions also were heard during a standoff at a Mumbai Jewish center.

Soure: the CNN

And which one is correct about below phrases?

#1 a luxurious coat

#2 a luxury coat

P.S. I attach the definitions of them from the Cambridge Dictionary as below.

luxury noun
1 [u] great comfort, especially as provided by expensive and beautiful things:
to live in luxury
a luxury cruise
a luxury hotel
2 [C] something expensive which is pleasant to have but is not necessary:
luxuries, such as champagne and chocolate
I like to buy myself little luxuries from time to time.
3 [S or U] something which gives you a lot of pleasure but which you cannot often do:
A day off work is such a luxury.

luxurious adjective
1 very comfortable and expensive:
They have a very luxurious house.
We spent a luxurious weekend at a country hotel.
2 giving great pleasure:
The cat gave a long, luxurious stretch.

[tedtmc]

Both luxury and luxurious are used as adjectives.

'Luxurious hotel' means a hotel which is more likely to be expensive, enjoyable and comfortable i.e. it describes the condition of the hotel.

'Luxury hotel' is more to do with the standard or class of the hotel the owner wishes to project as an image. A 'luxury hotel' is supposed to be of superior standard compared to say, a budget hotel, and it claims to provide 'luxury'.

You can draw a parallel with the words, 'comfort 'and 'comfortable'.
Comfortable is the adjective used in most situations. You also hear of the word 'comfort' in special cases like

comfort home - an euphemism for 'old folks home'
comfort woman - woman forced into sexual slavery for the Japanese during World War II


not a teacher

[thedaffodils]

Hi Tedtmc,

Thank you very much for your nice answer.

I'd like to paraphrase your words as below.

A luxury hotel refers to a high standard hotel, which is usually expensive and comfortable, for example a five-star hotel is a luxury hotel; a luxurious hotel refers to an expensive and comfortable hotel, it might not be starred or be of high calibre.

Am I right? Thanks!

[tedtmc]

daffodils
The term 'luxury hotel' is what the more expensive hotels like to use as it sounds more exclusive, classy and gives the impression that they provide luxury.

'Luxurious' probably sounds more general but both actually mean the same thing. It's really a matter of choice and which words sounds better.

[thedaffodils]

Thank you again, Tedtmc.

[Tdol]

'Luxurious' is more subjective and doesn't have to be associated with wealth; if you look at the example from the dictionary of the cat, it is just enjoying and indulging itself. A luxury bath will have gold taps, etc, but you can have a luxurious bath at the weeknd when you have the time to relax and pamper yourself without spending much money.

[thedaffodils]

'Luxurious' is more subjective and doesn't have to be associated with wealth; if you look at the example from the dictionary of the cat, it is just enjoying and indulging itself. A luxury bath will have gold taps, etc, but you can have a luxurious bath at the weeknd when you have the time to relax and pamper yourself without spending much money.

Hi Tdol,

Thank you very much for your elucidation. I think I am clear now.