Website allows hotel guests to check out rooms before checking-in

Consumers can now easily find reviews and details of individual hotel rooms, including what view it has, thanks to the launch of a new online hotel room database.

Room77.com has been launched to allow potential guests to choose a property based on their own hotel room requirements, including bed type, lift proximity, square footage, hotel floor and room category.

Users can even see if the room’s view is to their liking via a virtual preview generated by Google Earth, and pick up recommendations and tips from the hotel’s concierge and front of house staff.

The rooms are then ranked according to the user’s requirements and marked on an interactive floor map of the hotel.

Users then have the option to visit the hotel’s website, make a reservation online, or request a particular room over the phone. In the latter instance Room 77 provides users with helpful advice on how to ensure they get the room they want on their chosen date.

Virtual view

Room 77 is initially concentrating on expanding its database of three-star and above properties throughout the UK and North America, through the help of travellers and hotels, but expects to add new markets regularly.

Brad Gerstner, founder and chairman of Room 77, said: “All hotel rooms are not created equal and we've built Room 77 to open up room data and give travelers more control in getting a great room. Travelers have several options that rate and review hotels, but until now there's nothing that breaks down hotel rooms even though the room is a critical part of the experience.

“Our team has taken the first step to creatively collect and present this data and now we're inviting the millions of travelers who check in and out of hotels every month to help in this effort (sic).”

Room 77 has also launched its service as an iPhone application, allowing guests to immediately check whether a room offered meets their requirements at the point of booking or checking in.