Quality of Different Sized Tours

a. Large tours:
Large Bus Tour lodging tends to be an impersonal, standardized, big box, generic antiseptic large bus-tour hotel often owned by a large tour company or a hotel chain .... chosen because they can house 100’s efficiently at low cost per/person to Large Bus Tours operators allowing them to offer low-cost Large Bus Tour packages. 

    PROs:
        1. Least expensive: basic, no frills,  
        2. Amenities: minimum with expensive extras (laundry, ironing) 
        3. Bus direct to hotel entry: easy bags unload with elevators.  
        4. Convenient bus parking: 
        5. Single Person Lodging: (Legal/inclusivity concerns in play)
            Option 1: Single Supplement: premium price for ‘single occupant’ rooms
                            that normally sleep 2 persons. 
            Option 2: Shared Room:
                            (a) auto Same-Sex Pairing (normal)
                            (b) Guest’s rooming preference: guest's preference solicited: same-sex
                             only or mixed ok;     … no smokers, etc.

     CONs:
        1. Impersonal, standardized, antiseptic: prioritize efficiency
        2. Inconvenient location: often at outskirts far from tourist area
        3. “Hotel Hostage”: trapped at town’s outskirts & overpriced, low-quality hotel food & beverages.
             Must take a taxi to Old Town walkabout’s authentic cultural sites, & upscale restaurants.
             OTOH, you may be too exhausted to care!
        4. Extra Amenities: very overpriced (laundry, etc) 
        5. Minimal Comfort: mattress, linens, 
        6. Single Room Supplement: (see PROs #5 above)    Caution: limited availability.

b. mid-size tour: small family owned B&B /hotels

    PROs:
        1. Class & Style Ambiance: boutique hotels, local guesthouses, or
             even more unique hostels or Airbnb-style.
        2. Owner’s pride & entrepreneurial enthusiasm: 
        3. Perhaps family-owned: welcoming & ‘homey’- like home
        4. Vehicle accessibility: direct or close to lodging's front door.
        5. Hotel owner & guest camaraderie: staff engages & assists.
        6. Guest to guest camaraderie: more intimate  surroundings. 
        7. Located conveniently: near authentic restaurants & environs.
        8. Near-by access to ‘"free-time"’ walkabouts: self-guided tour of
            locals Old Town’s sites, cafes, shops & their culture.
        9. Free times’ direct access: to 1) Local Excursions, 2) self-guided
            walking tour, 3) local’s cafe experience.

    CONs:
        1. More expensive element of tour price
        2. Maybe ‘bag dragging’ access: if narrow streets.

c. small tours:    May be either niche market for:
    1) very exclusive high-end luxury, personalized service accommodations, gourmet meals, and premium transportation (air).

I'll skip the ‘super exclusive high-end luxury’ niche market because outside my wheelhouse & your "Personal Assistant" (iPhone) is more knowledgeable than I. 😀

      Anecdote: Carol Walton’s Expedition tour flies guests on a custom-designed tour between African safari sights. Some of these specialty tours (not Carol’s) can cost $100,000.

    2) esoteric adventure or deep-dive cultural experience tour.

Anecdote: I took several small Australian van tours across the Nallabor, up the west coast to Broome, a flight to Alice Springs & a van tour up to Darwin. We camped out most nights, and cooked group meals …. all at a very reasonable price for this penurious traveler (cheapskate.)

    PROs:
        1. Price: often a little more expensive, but varies.
        2. Pragmatic: Only modestly priced, practical way for logistics, 
                sites & activities over that long or remote distance.
        3. Customized or very basic: luxury, cultural or hardcore. 
        4. Greater spontaneous itinerary flexibility: group input
                possible.                                                India B&B ➞➞➞➞
        5. More personalized guide: low guide-to-guest ratio
        6. Deeper guide insight & discourse: deeper discussion
        7. Greater guest connect: low guest to guest ratio
        8. Better quality services: lodging, meals, site flexibility.
        9. Special Interests: client-tailored: historic/eco inns, rare sites.
        10. Greater site accessibility: smaller, special vehicles: 4 WD
        11. Greater time efficiency: avoid most research & planning
        12. Secluded, remote sites/activities: Australia ranch "swag'.

    CONs:
        1. Limited Capacity: great demand, book early or trust luck.
        2. Comfort & Amenities: Carol Walton’s Luxury African Safari vs  ‘bare-bone roughing it’ small adventure tours.
        3. Cost/Person: varies dramatically between luxury vs  adventure.
        4. Anonymity: if REALLY seeking privacy book a private guide, OR, go SIT (solo independent travel  [pplk: SIT: home & SIT].
        5. Group Compatibility: A mix of personalities & viewpoints always a risk, yet can always search for something positive.
        6. Limited Luggage Space: smaller plane or bus, ask tour limits.